CASE IS ON.........................................................

Guys you know all about the case "Dreams Vs Reality" whose hearing is on from 27th of April..Petitioners - Fighter & Father, Judge - Ur Unkhil, Prem....The case is on & the Judgement would be delivered by unkhil very fast, much faster than the Supreme Court. On the day of the Judgement, the Judge would also let u all know, what were the arguments between both the parties.These guys feel they are smart enough to argue hence they dont want any lawyers it seems...After all the hearing, the Judge will also give a logical Judgement, giving an indepth analysis of both the arguements....

Though all the arguments would be posted on the Judgement day, an important argument point by the fighter has been presented today which I thought would post it here, the reason being it may not only help the fighter, but many fighters who are looking for a hold & grip in life. The argument or the point presented today is:-

"Challenges in life come in three broad categories: easy, difficult & impossible. Those who take only the easy have a safe & boring life.Those who take on the difficult have a tough but satisfying life.Those who take on the impossibe are REMEMBERED". Case is still on, so please watch this space for the final verdict.

A fight between a Fighter & a Father for the second time………


People were surprised (PG, as well as my other friends), when I started speaking as if nothing has happened to me because of a reject from IIMA, that too just after 15 minutes after the results were declared. People said that Iam matured, people said that they hope, 8th may will turnout in favour of me, people said that I have something better in life, people said that I have a cute daughter who will make me to forget this failure, people also said why not Cat 2007……..

But what was actually passing through my mind right from the 16th minute onwards which made me to console people who couldn’t convert?..Iam not a super natural being or the so called Krishna Paramathma to say whatever u have taken, u have taken it from here, whatever u have given, u have given it here, what did u bring from the heaven to lose…(BhagavatGita)

Iam a normal Human being, I too have a sensitive heart which like that of others,has its own dreams, cries when it meets with a failure, laughs at even a smallest success etc..But what gave me that Invincible & the undemanded calmness from that minute…

The question which everyone & I myself started asking was why not CAT 2007.This everyone includes My family, Puys,Joydeep, Amit, Anupam,Nikhil & so on……

Failure is not something new to me, most of the cases I had just defended my failure & not even fought against it & eventually it turned out to be a success against that failure.

Though I thought my dreams have come to an end, the one big question mark which remains unanswered is can I live without that dreams

The next question now is why don’t I really fight. What are the factors which may be my impediment if I want to think about CAT 2007.Hahahaha, 29th April, 2007 looks as same as 27th August, 2005 (The day I decided to write CAT 2006).This time its not my dreams vs my ambience, rather this time its my dreams vs my responsibilities.

Inbetween the day I thought about writing CAT 2006 & today, the major factor is my daughter has grownup & ready to go for her schooling. As a father, a husband & an employee my responsibilities have increased a lot. But this time on the day of the results, my dad, my mom,my inlaws &my wife unanimously asked me why not CAT 2007?. The reason being they have seen the fact that I can go to any extent (preparation, commitment etc) to make my dreams come true..But this time, Iam curbing my dreams due to the responsibilities. But my dreams as usual are dragging me towards making them true….

I met Nikhil(IIMA) today. We had a chat for about 2 hours. I just wanted to mention the last few dialogues between us..

Nikhil: Sir, Hope u convert IIMA

Me: Nikhil, But the hard fact is that I haven’t

Nikhil: I said 2007..Give a serious thought…

My heart again started beating CAT CAT CAT CAT…..

Still don’t know this resurrection; rejuvenation will be eternal or ephemereal….

Onething I have understood is that the Fighter with in me is still alive, but it is the Father who is vacillating to allow the fighter to take his weapon(which is on from 5.15 PM of 26th & is still on at 12.22 AM of 30th)…Everyone is a fighter, but very few are fathers…

Lets see, if the father can find some compromising point where in his family’s importance (which is his first priority & which got affected last time) doesn’t gets affected because of the fighter’s dreams & if he can satisfy his family’s happiness first, then he may allow the fighter to go ahead to fight CAT 2007… Incase if the father has to consider the fighter's plea, the fighter has to fullfill one more criteria of not claiming any reservations & never even look at the OBC coloumn in CAT application. If the fighter can give both these assurances, then the father may consider vacating the stay & allowing the fighter to appear for CAT 2007.

Though the fighter is yet to receive the May 8th Verdict, he is gearing up trying to console & compromise the father..Lets see who is gonna win. Whoever wins either way its me who will be the winner finally..Will keep you all updated shortly, who is the winner of this fight called as “Dreams Vs Reality”

To all my Friends, Puys, Readers, who are keen to know my results:-

Indian Institute of Management, AhmedabadAdmission Status : Post-Graduate Programme in Management (PGP 2007-2009 batch), IIMA
TR No.
5130103
Name
PREM KUMAR R
You have not been selected or wait-listed for admission to PGP (2007-2009 batch), IIMA.
Disclaimer : This electronically generated information does not have legal validity. Those candidates who have been selected or wait-listed for admission to the PGP (2007-2009 batch), IIMA, will receive our official letter soon.

Thanks for all the support extended to me...

My second appearance on CNN IBN along with asuthosh (Billibolymeow)..


Good that this one was live

Here goes the Transcript:-

Swetha Ganesh (reporter) - So whats ur reaction about the delay in OBC results.....

Me: As far as the committment, Hard work, dreams to get into an elite institute are considered, it is one & the same for General as well as OBC students..The agony due to the delay in the results will also be same for both..So, Iam personally very happy as a student that atleast the agony of some part of the students community will come to an end. They will be much relieved. As far as the OBC reservations are concerned, it looks like a thriller story. I am still hopeful that the Government will fight for us(though I personally dont have any hopes). I would like to request the GoI as well as SC to kindly consider our case with mercy as lives of 1000+ students are in stake.

Incase of a favorable result also, the saddest part will be, we guys would be missing the preparatory course and also working people like us have to pay to our employers, a huge some for us to be relieved in a faster phase.

Asuthosh: This is very good decision, but why was it delayed so long. Iam happy that with the IIMs come out with the results, MDI wait list will move faster. Iam worried about people who have NITIE, IIFT converts & have resigned thier jobs. Its a catch 22 situation...

Thats the story friends....

Thanks for all the support extended to me (may it be in PG, thru phone calls, by posting comments in my blog, thru sms etc)...

All the Best to everyone once again & Bangalore Guys dont forget to invite me for your treat.

I HAVE MADE THE WORLD TO HEAR ME TODAY….MY FIRST APPEARANCE IN THE MEDIA

The 9'o clock news (9 PM) in CNN on 25th April figured about an OBC candidate, who is anxious & frustrated about the results being delayed..The person's name was mentioned as Chandrasekhar (on request by the person), but they didn't hide the face ...Its none, but myself...

ON A SERIOUS NOTE

I had mentioned n no of times not to trust Media..The reporter interviewed me for 30 minutes & then followed by Video Coverage..

Basically 5 questions...

Qtn 1: Assume if the results are declared & OBC list is with held what will be your reaction

Me: The results getting declared is an admirable one. But for OBC's it may be an emotional setback.

Qtn 2: Assume if all the results are put on hold then?.

Me: The issue has reached an impasse. No one knows what to be done. Anyway the fate of 600 odd guys is at the mercy of so many people (GoI & SC), now why do u want to bother 5000 people & for the sake of what. Its not going to yield any happiness to any one.

Qtn 3: How is ur life for the past 2 weeks

Me: Till March 29th, I was worried about my final conversion & for the past 2 weeks, Iam worried about the issue being resolved first & then comes the worries about my personal conversion. I have been working for more than 5 years now. As a Middle level Manager, Iam expected to do so many things in my job on a day to day basis. But unfortunately, Iam unable to concentrate on my Job, also Iam the father of a 3 yr Old kid. Now her school admissions are also on hold because of my admissions. I really doubt whether she will go to a school this year.

Qtn 4: Any Specific message to the HRD?

Me: Explained the whole plight of the students community both general as well as OBCs. Especially about the pathetic conditions of OBC people with IIFT & NITIE Converts, who have left their Jobs(Billibolleymeow), Onsite Trips(Neutral), admissions in Private colleges(Stigmatic) etc, about the issues involved in resigning & getting relieved (GC or OBC, u have to pay money for an early exit from the company).Also asked a specific question about how the OBCs(who have got calls) are gonna be treated by IIMs.If they leave these guys half the way (incase if they declare our interviews stands cancelled & void), wont it be injustice

Qtn 5: What is ur View about the whole issue?

Me: Till last year there was no reservation & we were OK with it. Now some one has dug out a sleeping issue called OBC reservation & made us to claim officially some thing called as reservation. My personal opinion, there shouldn’t be any reservations (OBC/SC/ST) perse, but the SC’s verdict at this point of time is really unfair. SC as well as the HRD is talking about the benefit of millions of people & nobody is bothered about the 1000+ OBC students who are caught in this whole issue. Just wanted to iterate one point that, every individual in this 1000+ OBC student has a dream, career, future & on top of that an emotional & sensitive heart. So request the GoI as well as SC to look into this angle also….

Prior to interview she asked me about how did I prepare & stuff, my CAT experience, plans in case of the quota's not being implemented this year etc.In fact I told her straight on her face that” Iam sorry to say that the media never focused on people who are really at stake, instead they made the issue more broader by speaking to pro / anti reservationist who are not vying for any admissions this year. U have come now, when the results are gonna come & after the SC has rejected the Govt’s plea…

Alas, what was broadcasted was a normal 30 secs news saying that Iam one of the 1000 OBC aspirants who is agitated & annoyed with the delay in the results & just telecasted the most useless dialogue of my interview.They have edited & removed all the five answers & just made it a generic one lined news...Now isn’t it clear, how responsible our media is……

Guys again I reiterate, don’t get carried away by every word of the media (there are definitely hidden truths, my personal experience) rather just trust the IIM websites. The moment u see the result link, then u can trust that the result is definitely out…Till then watch News, but don’t jump on to conclusions…

I didn’t want to Blog any more, still I thought this article may help people to understand how responsible our Media is?.


This is the link for the interiew clipping:

http://www.pagalguy.in/forum/cat-and-related-discussion/22406-results-frozen-admission-all-central-274.html#post759102

Incase if u r unable to open the link, here is the jist of the interview

Divided by caste, united in anxiety
Shreya Dhoundial & Shveta Ganesh Kumar
CNN-IBN
Posted Thursday , April 26, 2007 at 10:01
Updated Thursday , April 26, 2007 at 10:06

STATUS QUO-TA: People divided by castes are liked by fate thanks to the quota crisis.

New Delhi / Bangalore: Anant Sanghvi and Chandrashekhar (name changed) are two people who couldn't be more different in terms of either educational background or upbringing.
They live miles apart but their fortunes in a sense are interlinked thanks to HRD Minister Arjun Singh.
A passout of the Sri Ram College of Commerce in Delhi, Anant has scored a 99.83 percentile in CAT and has got calls from all the 6 IIMs.
He says the wait for the admission list - delayed by almost two weeks - has been so agonising that all he's doing the whole day is watch news for any scrap of information he can get, but good news is still elusive.
"On one day HRD comes out with a directive, on the other day the Supreme Court comes out with the verdict. On the next day, HRD files another petition - I mean the ball has been going to and fro, from one court to the other. There is no positive outcome as far as the students are concerned," says Anant.
Thousands of miles, away not just in distance, but also backgrounds is Chandrashekhar - another IIM aspirant who lives in Bangalore.
His OBC status he says has never worked to his advantage so much so he doesn't even want his name or face on TV. With a 97.26 percentile and the 27 per cent OBC quota, he was hoping for a chance at leveling the game.
He says he's waited for three years to make it to the IIM's so a few days more doesn't matter. However, what bothers him is suggestions of the OBC list being withheld till May 8.
"I don't know what's going to happen next. There is no clarity as such and I cannot plan my next course of action. Where do I go about in life from here on I don't know," says he.
Anant and Chandrashekhar, on either side of the quota divide, may one day meet in class. For the time being though, their dreams will have to wait.

This may be my final post in my BLOG.Now I dont have anything else to write.

A little briefing about what happened from early 90's. Way back in 1992, when I was in standard 9, there was an issue at my home. My mother was ill. Her illness continued till I was in my Engineering 3rd year i.e. 1999 (Now by God’s grace she is perfectly fine). Someone needs to be with her, throughout the day to take care of her.

My Xth standard board exam went for a toss(61%). My 12th standard board exam was OK OK, but still I remember those days when I went to the exam with tears in eyes as my mother was serious (I got 68%)..I couldn’t get admission into any of the professional courses. Infact I had a major problem with English as mine was a sub normal school. My dad wanted me to join BSc, Maths course (I got 200/200 in 12th). Looking at my mother’s condition, I wanted to become a doctor. I decided to appear for the higher secondary improvement exams (finally 89%).

1 year, I stayed away from every friend of mine, avoided speaking to any one as I felt people may divert me from reaching my goal. Results came & I lost my MBBS seat by just 3 marks. It was paining (still paining). Couldn’t decide what to do..Got an admit from a Govt engg college, 800 Km from my home. Didn’t want to join because of my mother’s health. Joined a college under DOTE II which is 120 km away from my place.

From the day 1, I started traveling to college by train..The schedule was to get up at 4 am, catch the train at 5am,reach college at 8am, catch the train again at 7 pm in the evening & reach home at 10 pm. I could see myself becoming physically & mentally tired. Still I had so much of responsibilities at home. I had to help my father in taking care of my mother & my younger sister.

First year I got 61%. I was happy with my marks as I could hardly study anything once I reach home.

Second & third year were horrible & I could go only on alternate days to the college (labs I almost had 0 attendance). I had 3 arrears with my total percentage dropping to 52. My mother started recovering & my father now started worrying about my career. He wanted me to join the Hostel & I did.

Final year went terrific as I was elated by the fact that my mother became all right. I got a 74% in final year & cleared all the back logs with an overall percentage of 58.4%

January 2000: Companies started visiting my college for campus placements. I could see every friend of mine getting a Job in some big company. I was not even eligible to sit for the campus recruitments. Though I knew getting a job is going to be very tough, still, I was happy that I have performed my duties as a Son & a brother.

May 2000:

The last company for that year’s campus recruitment came & the minimum requirement was 55%. I prepared my 1st CV in life with the help of a friend. After the interview & before the results (20 days), I started attending all walk in Interviews (as I needed a job to support my dad who was struggling due the expenses incurred for treating my mother)..The results came & I was happy to know that I was the only guy to be selected out of the 150 applicants. Meanwhile I had 7 other offers too in hand. 6 were technical (Software development) jobs & 2 were Sales Jobs. I decided to take the sales career as I had almost 0 knowledge in Technical.

My first Job:

I believed in one thing right from my day one at my Job. “Seiyum Thozilae Deivam” meaning “work is Divine”. Started loving my Job, as it was something I decided to take. First 2 years as a trainee, I was made to handle the petrochemical Industries at a place, 30 Km away from Chennai. I had a hero puch those days. I had to go there daily & meet the customers. Every day I used to carry the lunch prepared by my mom. We all know how it looks around a refinery. I used to have my lunch sitting on those drainage pipe lines under the hot Sun. Most of the days, I had cried as the stinking smell & the scorching heat had never allowed me to eat(Had situations would had been better, I would have become a doctor-this feel was dominating my mind, but then consoled myself saying that this what GOD has given & there are so many even without this job), still I used to eat because of the fact that my mom wakes up at 4 am to prepare this lunch…

2002:

These 2 years of hard work had gained me some name in my company. Still there was no change in the territory & all my seniors started telling me that u have chosen a career, which will give u the same role wherever you go. I was frustrated, I didn’t know what to do? That is when I came to know about CAT as one of my colleagues had just then resigned his Job for taking up CAT. I just started garnering information about CAT as some one told me that Post MBA, the role in job & the luxury in life will change

I was so innocent as I had just stepped into a city life from a rural life. I started thinking about CAT as an alternative to my temporary agony.

Joined CL, prepared till September..that’s when the next shock of my life came. My sister’s marriage got fixed & my father wanted me to continue with my job, as he needed financial help. So couldn’t appear for CAT 2002.

2003:

By this time around, the frustration had disappeared as I got a promotion in my job & a large + a beautiful territory to work (Pondicherry, Karaikal& mahe)..But some how I was not happy. When the CAT advertisement got released in June.,I started feeling that in this one year, CAT had become something more than an alternative to my frustration.Infact, CAT had become an unachievable dream. I decided to take CAT now……

Again it was a repetition of my earlier year..But this time my parents decided to get me married. I was quashed. I really really cried looking at my fate. I wanted to become a doctor; my fate made me an engineer. I wanted to become an MBA; still fate didn’t even allow me to take the exam.

2004:

I joined a new company with a bigger role (Sales Incharge of Kerala, Karnataka & Goa)…So, I was extremely happy with my job. But that IIM dream was disturbing me, every time I go to IIMB for my Sales calls, I felt like I’m missing something in my life. One day when I was in IIMB, I just had a thought, “I wanted to come here as a student & not as a Sales guy”, but thenI was scared to discuss with my Wife about my MBA dreams as she will not allow me to leave her & go to studies (She loves me so much.). I decided to stop going to IIMB

2005:

though I stopped going to IIMB, my dreams started dominating me & finally once again I decided to take up CAT whatsoever this year…Took the guts to discuss on the same with my family & finally after a lot of convincing, I got the approval..…..

August 2005:

Joined TIME full time course

The first 2-3 weeks, I really struggled to include studies in my day-to-day life. It was 3 years, since I had touched any of the academic books & now I’m a relaxed family man too. But then, I started speaking to myself, reiterating the importance of determination to achieve my dreams. I know spending time on studies is going to be the crucial factor....

I started breathing CAT, eating CAT…Every day I used to take book after my daughter & wife went to bed..Finally started feeling happy that I am doing some justice & I was on track like other aspirants……

I started speaking to people who had already taken CAT..I started knowing what they actually did. Every time when I called up someone (Though I know I have disturbed so many with all silly doubts), I ensured I learnt something new even if it is a small thing. I understood mere preparation & hard work is not going to help me. It’s the small details, which are going to of major importance….

May-June:

Mock CATS started. First 5 exams my percentile was 99+ & then started the downfall
6th exam 39%ile, 7th exam 67%ile & it never crossed 90 from then. The reason was, one of my colleague (a staunch employee) went ahead & complained to my VP & HR Manager about my CAT preps. They started suspecting my commitment towards work. Now I had the additional pressure to perform in office too..So everyday I was in office till 9 pm..

Every time I was dejected, I stepped into IIMB (my dream school).Some how I got recharged when I went there, ready to fight for the battle with a replenished mind.

This is the time when I came to know about PAGALGUY.COM….

Initial 2-3 months, I was almost passive. All I wanted from PG that time was to know how people (presently & in earlier years) of my profile (i.e. Bad at acids, poor performance in Mocks, married & loads of responsibilities went ahead to crack CAT)..But to my surprise, I couldn’t find one..Then I decided, why not I start participating actively so that peolple in future atleast may have some one for reference.

One week before the CAT my daughter was admitted in Hospital due to food poisioning..The negative feel of myself not going to appear for CAT 06 started eating me (CAT 02 &03 experiences)..But my passion gave me confidence & my daughter was all right…

D-DAY

Aah, first time Iam appearing for CAT..The ambivalent feeling of my passion & poor performance in mock cats was haunting me..

When I saw the CAT Paper (75 qtns & 5 options), I was almost taken back because AIMCAT 702 (my last mock cat) was of a similar format & I had got an absolute 0 & 12%ile…..

I started with Verbal & could mark only 4 answers in 30 minutes…I started sweating. I could see my dreams laughing at me .I decided to do quant & DI & get back to verbal. I started doing the same. Final 45 minutes , I again did something in Verbal & came out with a dejected feel..Next one month I was battling with my hopes & dreams & on jan 3, I was astounded to see a call from IIMA….

In the whole process, I became close to some of the puys, who helped me in my GD/PI process

One week before GD/PI

Now this time, I was down with viral fever, but ensured I prepare properly & 8th March again some miracle happened & I was all right…

Now it’s just a week for the results to be declared…I don’t know what it’s going to be. But for future aspirants this note may serve some purpose. This post may help people at 30+ to think about pursuing their dreams(this is the main reason whay I started Blogging)…

ALL I WANTED TO SAY ABOUT CAT is poor performance in mock CAT doesn’t matter, poor academics don’t matter, and your ambience doesn’t matter. All it matters is ur hardwork..Ur determination. the fire in ur belly..Ur commitment to make ur dreams come true.

I don’t know whether Iam going to achieve my dreams or not (due to extraneous factors/OBC reservations & this being my last CAT), but this is the path I had followed. In a way, I had done justice to my dreams by reaching upto the Interview stage, done justice to my job & my employer by winning the best performer award second time in a row,but don’t know whether would be doing justice to the sacrifice & support of my family. Hope this helps some one, some where & at some time…..