Bye bye Calcutta...

On the last day in the city of Joy, which has incidentally, also been my home for 23 long years, here is a conversation between me, my mind and my heart...

Mind: Seems like the clocks have stopped ticking. Feels like I am in some Black Hole, where time doesn't change.....

Heart: Is it because today is our last evening at Calcutta that I am feeling this way? Is it because I am very very excited about "life" for the next two years and thereafter? Well, prima facie, it does appear so... But is it actually the case? Well, I did delve deep into myself to find out what has involuntarily increased my rate of work.

Mind: It is, let me tell you, not excitement. It is not the thrill and exuberance. Rather, I am afraid, it is what in common language known as tension.

Me: What are you both talking? I am not able to follow...

Mind: Yes, it is the anxiety, worry, stress that is sending shivers down the spine of Anurag. Do I sound crazy? Maybe. But let me explain why I say so. I have brains after all...

Heart: Wait wait. Let me say that in no way am I afraid to accept challenges. And in no way am I interested in shying away from tremendous pressure. But then, the "horror stories" that I get to hear about IIMA is enough to make anyone palpitate with worry. I am a heart after all. It is "considered" an achievement if you survive the first year there. I have heard(and would verify it myself soon) that umpteen times.


Me: Yes that is true. Students, all of them who are like me, in the first year, often say "Kahaan phans gaye yaar!!!". Such is the fear that the rigourous academics of IIMA strikes terror at the heart of any MBA student.

Mind: Leave the academics. What about the placements? Which company would recruit me? What subject should I major in? I have always heard Anurag "crowing" that he wants to take up Finance. But the truth is that he knows nothing of Finance. Marketing? Did you say marketing? After two years of course, the first job involving marketing would be to roam around in the "rural-est" areas and do surveys and sell toothpastes to people who have never heard of brushing ones teeth. I know that is not very dear to Anurag's heart. Heart, what say??

Heart: Completely agreed boss. Marketing is not dear to me.

Anurag: Job after engineering is always cool, especially when it is there in mind that you would be pursuing higher studies. Atleast it was for me.

Mind: But now, after MBA...where to? Which company to join? Or rather, which company would consider me fit enough to be paid something? These are the questions, which is there in the minds of most of Anurag's would be batchmates... at least the ones whom I have made acquaintances with.

Heart: I am terrified...to say the least, and dear Mind, you know pretty well, that you may lie, but I wouldn't.

Me: Arey why worry yaar!!! Let us face the difficult challenge in front of us. Let us see what lies in store for us in the future. We have been together, reached till this point, now why wouldn't we be able to move further from here?

Heart: But...

Mind: Yes, I do agree with you Anurag. In fact, Heart had made me feel a bit tensed. You know I should not be allowed to withstand too much pressure. I need rest. May I request you, Anurag, that you may kindly go to sleep early tonight, so that I remain fresh tomorrow?

Me: Sure, of course, I would do that. After all, till date, I have always listened to you, and there is no reason why I shouldn't do it in future.

Mind: Thank a lot dude...

Anurag: Arey why fear?? Havent you seen that ad of that soft drink..." Darr to sabko lagta hai...gala sabka sookhta hai... par darr se mat daro...uske aage badho...kyunki...darr ke aage jeet hai..."

Mind: Exactly, I agree with you...

Heart: But....

Me: Now Heart... just stop thinking... but of course ..dont stop working!!!!


And the wait for tomorrow continues...