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Gaurav Dhanani, MBA (IB) 2007-09 Batch

The apple cannot be stuck back on the Tree of Knowledge; once we begin to see, we are doomed and challenged to seek the strength to see more, not less.    - Arthur Miller

Fifty Two young people with dreams in their eyes to succeed and the courage to achieve their dreams, set on roll for their 2 years of challenging yet very interesting phase of life at IIFT, on 2nd of July 2007. With the majority of peers being engineers, I was determined to carve out a niche for myself too. We started getting along with each other through PDP sessions and the group assignments, projects, etc…. that part of life was called “Getting Accustomed To IIFT”.

At that point of time I had no clue what is in store for the coming 2 years. But day by day, month by month and now I can say even semester by semester, life has now become inseparable with IIFT. One of the advantages which I felt was the awesome enthusiasm in our batch towards the various activities which we got involved in, be it the Symposiums, or the parties, or the pujas (especially Saraswati Puja). Our small batch has been a very close knitted one ……and this part of life is called “Being a part of the IIFT family”.

Then came one of the bigger events: Summer Internship Program selections, which saw us pass through rounds of interviews and group discussions. Again we had all geared up by preparing ourselves through mock interviews and group discussions among ourselves. I enjoyed the 15 day stay at the Delhi Campus; especially being in the Atrium was really special. As all of us were through with the selections of summers, it came up as a great opportunity to make a small trip of northern part of the country along with IIFT friends -Praveen and Robin…..that part of life is known as “Living with Iiftians”.

From mid October i.e. 2nd semester thru 3rd semester in March, is the time when majorly all b-schools have their events and I got an opportunity to display my skills in presentations and reports at some of the best b-schools in India jointly with Diptangshu, who by far was ‘One of the best partners in Prime case study presentations’. This was the best part in terms of learning outside the classrooms. My main aim was to represent my college at different b-schools, and make the presence of our new Kolkata campus felt to all….this part of life is called “Presenting the IIFT way!”

One the experience which stands out is that of elections for various club coordinators posts. Fortunately I was able to convince my peers for the post of Finance Club Coordinator but standing at the podium and answering questions for around an hour was no joke, and has definitely gave a boost to my confidence. With SIP starting now, everyone is focussed on their projects assigned to them. However I am too eager to listen to the various experiences which will bring the actual flavour of Corporate Life to our studies (as our professor Gautam Dutta would put in his words) this part of life is called “Flavour of IIFT”.

Now I seek more opportunities where I can focus on and specialize in, so that I can be an expert in the field of Finance. Life at IIFT Kolkata Campus has taught me to look further and further, understanding my scope, and always thriving to increasing it. Now with the 2nd half of my MBA at IIFT, I want to gear up myself and make everyone proud of me, my college in what will be called as….“Life after IIFT".

Khyati Gupta, MBA (IB) 2007-09 Batch

 The roller coaster ride of my life…
… life at IIFT-Kolkata

Being a part of the fast growing campus of a prestigious college has its own charm. It brings along with it a lot of struggle, perseverance and the delight of creating from the scratch. And not to forget the high of being a part the strong brand that IIFT is. I landed at IIFTs Kolkata campus with a welcome shower by the rain Gods. After a few initial hiccups the real journey began. And oh what a roller coaster ride it has been ever since!

Day in and day out all that my eyes ask for is a little sleep. The mornings and afternoons are packed with classes. We are butchered collectively by a deadly combine of IIFT’s immensely experienced faculty and guest professors, who are par excel lance in their field, to say the least. Indeed that is the reason those two hour long sessions have become fun and engrossing. After all who would not fall in love with Market Research when the chief of IMRB himself doles out all the gyan for you in the classroom!!

The evenings are absorbed by group discussions, planning for the next CRC, symposium or simply mulling over the fall of the Sensex and predicting its next move, over endless cups of tea at our very own chaiwala Gulfaam. And finally the dead of the night is the time for burning the proverbial midnight oil. From devising marketing strategies for PepsiCo to writing reports on the economy of India, there is no dearth of stimulating assignments. So much so that the only discussion point is the progress each one has made in their respective projects.

Yeah we are being prepared for the big corporate world but never do we lose sight of our lighter self. Our first bash was the Fresher’s party. And since then, the list goes on and on. Every occasion be it placements or elections calls for a grand treat. Indeed work hard, play harder!!

Along with our lighter self we also never lose sight of our inner self. Its not just fun and academics, its also about coming together for special days such as Durga Pooja and Saraswati Pooja and showing our reverence.

Behind this successful saga is the perseverance and determination of every member of the IIFT family to build this institution into a legacy to be carried on for eternity. Every member of this institution is striving day and night to initiate new activities, create new opportunities and fight all odds. In a nutshell, the undying spirit and the burning desire to excel is what that will take us places. Amen!.

Sankalp Chaturvedi, MBA (IB) 2007-09 Batch

Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.  - William Faulkner

It has been 1 year in IIFT and certainly one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. As I recall my journey, it feels like a story of grit and determination to prove our mettle against some of the best B-schools in India and abroad. I still remember the 1st day at IIFT, when I got a chance to meet some of the best brains in India, who eventually turned out to be my batch mates. From then on, it has been a roller coaster ride-with the grueling PDP’s, strict deadlines, sleepless nights, all to live up to the expectations of the institute. Lectures by some of the best faculty in the country (still fresh in my mind is the precious time spent with Father Jesurajan) have truly been an immense learning experience, and of course the usual chit-chats at our “IIFT hangout”, Gautams(with ‘best in town’ cold coffee and Rolls) have been memorable moments .There has always been immense pressure to perform, both in and outside the institute , to uphold the name of our institute, but the spirits have always been sky high and commitment one hundred percent.

I would also like to thank IIFT for giving me the opportunity to represent my institute on a global platform through the exchange program in Germany. It was a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for me and a tremendous learning experience as well. Sharing the classroom with students from across the globe and learning from of world renowned faculties was an experience that would definitely help me in my future Endeavour’s. And not to forget is the chance to see some of the most beautiful places in the world (Vatican City, Leaning tower of Pisa, Frankfurt, and the list goes on and on) about which I had only read in books .I thank my faculties, Dr. K Rangarajan and Dr. Gautam Dutta for having faith in me and having given me this opportunity.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going” totally sums up the year for IIFT-Kolkata. Exceptional performances at inter-B school events, enriching club activities, undeterred dedication by the coordinators and the various post holders to move from better to the best, rolling out of one of the best finance magazines in the country and regular appreciation by the corporate world, speak their own story of success.

I congratulate my fellow mates on the completion of 1 yr at IIFT and hope that our efforts in the coming year will prove to be instrumental in taking IIFT to insurmountable heights.