...and then there was light.

VGSOM shines at RICE University B-Plan Competition 2007

2007-04-05T20:00:00.000+05:30

The VGSOM – IIT-Kharagpur team has put forth a fantastic performance at the Rice University Business Plan Competition 2007 by bringing laurels on several fronts.

Rice University Business Plan Competition (RBPC) is the richest guaranteed prize money intercollegiate business plan competition in the world. The competition is hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management at Rice University. Thirty-six teams from top MBA programs are selected to compete at Rice University, in Houston Texas, for over $285,000 in prizes; including an investment opportunity of $100,000 for the grand prize winner.

To begin with the VGSOM-IIT KGP team was the only team from India that qualified this year for the semi finals of the competition. The team won the 3rd Prize in the Challenger Round with teams like Harvard University and University of Waterloo ranked below it. The team received a special mention in the Best International Award Category. In addition to that it was one of the 6 teams (out of a total of 36) that qualified for the DOW Sustainability Flight – Best Sustainability Business Plan.

The team (BioPure) is a multidisciplinary team with members from the Biotech Deptt. , Electrical Engg. Deptt. and VGSOM. The team comprised of Mahesh Kumar Bukka & Sumit Saxena; both students of MBA, First Year at Vinod Gupta School of Management, IIT-KGP and Gobind Singh Bisht (B. Tech, 3rd Yr, Biotech Deptt) and Sriram Sarma (Jr. Project Officer, Electrical Engg Deptt).

The team has developed an innovative pasteurizer for pasteurization of Milk, Beer & Fruit juice based on Pulsed Field Electroporation (PEF) Technology. PEF is a disruptive technology that is approved by FDA for pasteurization of Food & Beverages. BioPure Pasteurizers utilize Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology, it increases shelf life from 2-7 days to 20 days, lead to energy savings from 20% to 50% (for the manufacturer) and maintain high quality of taste and nutrition.

The team received an award of $ 4,600 from the IIT Foundation and IIT Kharagpur Alumni Foundation India in recognition of the team's achievement. Several IIT alumni generously contributed to raise funds for the award, the award helped the team in financing its trip to participate at Rice business plan competition.

Not to forget, the team got the opportunity to meet and network with over 150 experienced venture capital principals, early stage investors, successful entrepreneurs and/or senior business leaders who served as judges for the competition. The VGSOM-IIT-KGP team received attention of several venture capitalists seeking to invest in India.

Needless to say, a remarkable feat by the budding entrepreneurs of India!

Purvodaya – National Conclave @ VGSOM

2007-03-29T20:46:00.000+05:30

With rich natural resources, an ample and able talent pool and carefully engineered industrialization, Eastern India stands poised to take its place as an economic hub.

Vinod Gupta School of Management, IIT Kharagpur, has conceived a platform where policy-makers, corporate doyens, academicians and the student community can bring this grand vision to fruition.

PURVODAYA - National Conclave is where both the opportunities and obstacles that line this path can be explored.

While economic growth is important, it is imperative that the development process is all-inclusive and the spin-offs of the process trickle down to all sections of society. Several issues like striking a balance between agrarian and industrial interests, SEZ's, need to be explored and debated to enable informed decision-making. It is such strategic, social and geo-political issues related to the development process that will be set before the galaxy of distinguished speakers at PURVODAYA.

The conclave would encompass vital sectors, which would play a prominent role in "Ascent of the East". The program is divided into four sub-themes each focusing on a key area namely Mining & Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Service Industry and Sustainable Growth along with Manthan – The Panel Discussion.

Speakers who have confirmed participation (till date) include dignitaries like:

Mr. Sunil Mitra
Principal Secretary, Power, West Bengal Government
Mr. Ashim Burman
Chairman, Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
Mr. Debashish Som
Managing Director, WBIDC (West Bengal Infrastructure Development Corporation)
Mr. G. Ojha
Director Personnel, SAIL
Mr. Vivekananda Pattanayak, IAS (Retd)
Ex- Chairman, Orrisa Public Service Commission, presently Head Bhubaneswar Stock Exchange
Mr. R Srinivasan, Board member, ITC.
Mr. Prakash Apte, Director, IIMB.
MR B.D. MUNDHRA , Chairman and Managing Director, Simplex Infrastructures Ltd
Dr. A. K. Chanda, Chairman Calcutta Port Trust
Senior Speakers from
IBM
Development for International Development (DFID), UK
Senior Partner from Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC)
One more speaker from ITC.

In addition, the event also includes a challenging competition for students across the nations. Titled SARVUNNATI it aims to bring together the future leaders from different B-schools across the country to present their innovative ideas on various issues of the resurgent east.

PURVODAYA, we hope, will generate ideas that will leave their impression on the "sands of time" and give solution to those outstanding issues that act as roadblocks to the growth of the East.

PURVODAYA welcomes you to shape and share its vision for the Ascent of the East.

To know more about the event go to http://www.purvodaya.in/ or http://www.som.iitkgp.ernet.in/purvodaya/

Gibbs, 6 Sixes, Johnie Walker

2007-03-17T16:17:00.000+05:30

Herschelle Gibbs smashed his way into World Cup history when he hit six sixes in one over in a match against the Netherlands. The South African batsman became only the third man ever to achieve the feat in first class cricket and the first in the World Cup by hitting Dutch leg spinner Daan van Bunge back over his head four times and over the ropes on the on side twice to become the first player to achieve the feat in one-day cricket.

Lets have a total recall on a ball-by-ball basis:

29.1 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Violence! Gibbs charged down the track and hoicked it over long on. Look at the expression of the wicketkeeper as it changes ball-by-ball.

29.2 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Murder! Van Bunge bowled the second delivery around the middle and leg stump, but Gibbs was equal to the task. The right-hander made a bit of room, and sent the ball soaring high over the long-off fence.

29.3 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Carnage! The Dutch leg-spinner, who has played 21 one-dayers, bowled the third delivery a bit flatter in a bid to stop Gibbs lofting. But it hardly made any difference as Gibbs once again cleared the long-off fence with complete ease.

29.4 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, Wah Wah! Even before the cheers from the stands had died down, Gibbs had no problems despatching the fourth delivery, which was on the leg side. A tempting low full toss disappeared past the midwicket fence as English umpire Mark Benson raised his arms yet again.

29.5 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX.24-year-old Van Bunge, by now, seemed completely helpless and amazed. He pitched the fifth delivery a bit shorter in length. But Gibbs, equal to the task, rocked back and pulled him straight back over long-off. By now there was a general feeling around the Warner Park that Gibbs could achieve the feat of six sixes in an over.

29.6 van Bunge to Gibbs, SIX, He has done it!And finally the moment arrived. The entire South African team was on it's feet and Gibbs did not disappoint. He hit the sixth delivery over the deep midwicket boundary to etch his name in the annals of cricketing history. For the first time in international cricket, a batsman had scored six sixes in an over.

Gibbs's fireworks was worth $1million to charity after World Cup sponsor Johnnie Walker promised to donate the sum if a player hit six sixes in an over during the tournament. Shortly before presumably considering filing for bankruptcy, the whisky company, Johnnie Walker, announced it was "absolutely delighted by the inspirational and pioneering feat that was today realised by Herschelle Gibbs". Apparently they "couldn't be more thrilled with donating US$1 million to Habitat for Humanity in our efforts to enrich the Caribbean community", and offered their "sincere congratulations for this amazing accomplishment".

Courtesy : http://www.rediff.com , http://www.cricinfo.com

The Return of The Red Devills

2007-03-08T18:20:00.000+05:30

Well, after a few heart stopping moments, my beloved Man Utd. finally did manage to break into the quarter final stage of the UEFA Champions League.
And it was all due to the Sweedish legend - Henrik Larsson.

In a dramatic pre quater final clash with LOSC Lille of France, Man Utd. overcame the tough opposition by beating them 1-0 over both the legs for an aggregate of 2-0 overall.
Ryan Giggs scored the famous, or rather infamous winner last time around in the away leg.

When Lille came to Old Trafford for the return leg, this time it was Larsson rising to the occasion to guide MU to quarters. This was his penultimate game for the Red Devils before he moves to Helsingborg.

His final game in red colours will be a United v Europe XI match to be played at OT on Tuesday 13 March 2007, KO 8pm(GMT).

Technical And Financial Anaylst Rajat Bose Conducts Workshop In VGSoM

2006-04-06T15:53:00.000+05:30

The rolling Indian stock market seems to be attracting the financial enthusisasts from VGSoM. A workshop was organized in VGSoM to arm the students with technical and fundamental analysis of the stock market. The leading technical and fundamental analysts, Mr. Rajat K. Bose and Kalpana Kabra conducted the workshops at VGSoM, IIT Kharagpur.
Mr. Rajat K. Bose is known as the leading and the best technical analyst in India. He has been involved in securities research for the last fifteen years. He appears as an analyst on various Indian TV channels including CNBC-TV18, NDTV profit, Sahara Samay, Awaz and Zee business. He has also written for the Economic times, Kolkata and the Statesman, Kolkata.
Ms. Kalpana Kabra has been a well-known technical analyst in the securities market for the last 10 years. She has appeared on the CNBC, Zee Business, and quite a few regional TV channels to advise investors. She is the course coordinator for the Investment Management course at the Birla Institute of Futuristic Studies, Kolkata.
The Technical Analysis workshop conducted from 14th to 15th January 2006 for twenty hours had practical sessions on the technical analysis of the stocks. The sessions included Dow theory basics, Trends, Trendlines, Channels, Reversal and Continuation patterns, Indicators, Moving averages, Stops, Gaps, Trading for profit, Intermarket analysis, and more. The Intermarket analysis was a quick hit with the students, since it covered the relationship between different markets ranging from Oil, Commodities, Bond markets, Stocks markets, etc.
The hands-on sessions gave the students a complete exposure to the analysis of the charts of the stocks. The sessions also covered the myths behind technical analysis. The workshop provided the tools and techniques for the analysts in the making. The Fundamental Analysis workshop was conducted from 25th to 26th March and 1st to 2nd April 2006 for forty hours.
The workshop included introduction to fundamental analysis, role of an analyst, forecasting growth for long term and short term, playing the cycles, market share, economic indicators, Strategy & competition, analysis of financial statements, financial ratios, equity evaluation, portfolio construction, asset bubbles and more. The workshop provided the tools needed for fundamentally analyzing the companies and their stocks. The hands-on sessions and practical examples made the workshop more interesting. Armed with knowledge on technical and fundamental analysis, the budding analysts at VGSoM are raring to go.

hone do dil ko FANAA

2006-03-28T17:58:00.000+05:30

After his last blockbuster Rang De Basanti, Aamir Khan will return to the marquee with Yash Raj Films' Fanaa.

Aamir shares the frame with Kajol for the first time.

Directed by Kunal Kohli (Hum Tum), Fanaa is one of this year's biggest and most awaited releases.

The film is being readied for a May 26 release.

Interview@VGSoM

2006-03-05T11:40:00.000+05:30

The PANEL :
Prof. Sadhan K.De (specialistaion in Information Technology, Information Systems and Technology Management)
Prof. Biplab Dutta (B. Arch. IIT Kharagpur, M. Tech. (Construction) IIT Delhi, Ph.D. IIT Delhi)
Prof. Bani Chatterjee (specialistaion in HR)

The same panel memebers who were there during the Case Study

The GRIND begins :

For the sake of brevity, lets call Mr. De as P1, Mr. Dutta as P2 and Mrs. Chatterjee as P3.
As i enter the room, P1 starts speaking.
P1: Well Arindam, so what do u think, how did u moderate the group?
me: I hope, I did a satisfactory job.
P1: We also think so.
The P2 and P3 nod their heads in approval.
P1: (looking at my form) I don't want to ask you any question.
me: (dejected, dumbfounded and thinking - There goes my chance at VGSoM).
P1: Your profile matches exactly wid what we require at VGSoM.
me: (happy but still thinking - kya fek raha hai, pehle makkhan lagata hai..fir mujhe lega bhi nehi..)
P1: So you have around 2 years work experience.. so wud you leave the job, if you get a call from VGSoM?
me: Definitely.
P2: (looking at my form) So, you have work-ex in JAVA. Tell me about the projects you worked upon.
me: blah blah blah (had some preparation on this question)
P2: (looking satisfied, gave the baton once more to P1)
P1: So, tell me Arindam, do you think that work-ex is really needed for pursuing an MBA degree?
me: Yes, I think so.
P1: Why?
me: There is a gulf of difference between what we are taught during our engineering days and what we are exposed to once we enter the industry.So, obviously any work-ex ensures in bridging that gap.
All the while P3 is just looking at me, the way I talk, my body movements. She is not asking a single question at all.
P1: So, after Narendrapur and Jadavpur, you want to complete the hattrick from Kharagpur?
At this juncture, all four of us start laughing.
P1: Ok Arindam you can leave now.
me: I leave the room after thanking all of them.

My interview lasted for around 4-5 minutes, the shortest @Kharagpur.

Case Study@VGSoM

2006-03-04T14:58:00.000+05:30

The CASE :

There's a non-ferrous metal manufacturing company which is the market leader in India. But for the last two years it is running in losses because of the cyclical nature of the business. The cyclical nature being that one year you incur a loss, while the very next year you have a profit. Some high level manager ( i dont remember the designation) needed help. He had 2 options:
(i) To expand is some related sector like asbestos sheets, rods, etc which had similar boom-bust cycle, and
(ii) To diversify to a totally new high gain sector.

So, the manager needs to convey his thoughts to his superiors. What should he do now?

The SITUATION :
There were twelve (11 guys and 1 girl) of us in the room sitting in the form of U shape. The panel comprised of 3 professors from IIT Kharagpur.
I was candidate no. 6, more or less centrally placed in the U shape.

The TWIST :
In a normal scenario, when a case study starts it begins from candidate 1, then 2, until it reaches 12. here was the googly. They made 12 chits with 1..12 written on it and put it in a bowl. One of the professors told

India is a democratic country, we have to appease everyone...so in order to randomize the process...we will pick up a chit and the no. written on it will be called aloud. The candidate having the same no. will then speak for a minute.

So inspite of being candidate 6, my turn to speak came 10th.

The STUDY BEGINS :
The candidates spoke in favour of either of the points and finally stuck with one point. I could easily feel that by the time my turn comes to speak, i would be devoid of any new points of my own (a very common phenomenon in a group discussion or case study). My mind went into overdrive at that moment, and i could literally feel my heart beating oops zooming.

The TURN finally comes :
Finally it was my turn to speak. I put forward my strong case of the possible scenario where we can utilise both the options. In case of the first option the favourable points being the ready market(it being the market leader), gathering funds from the financial institutes, etc. In the mean time, the company can develop its R&D center to explore other channels. It can also go for a feasibility study from a consulting firm to deliberate about the pros and cons of diversifying. So, we are exploring about the possibilty of utlising the second option as well.

The FINAL TWIST :
After all had finished with their turn, the professor told

Now it will be an open discussion. Our earlier experience at Mumbai and Delhi is that it turns out to be a fishmarket. So appoint a moderator and he /she will guide the dicussion.

I told that why dont u select a chit once more, so that the guy/girl can be randomly selected?
He then told, ok, u be the moderator.
Bas fir kya tha..dil bol raha tha maar dala...maar dala..
But i managed it well perhaps, which i learnt later during my interview.

Spidey is B(L)ACK !!!

2006-02-27T09:58:00.000+05:30

Check out Spidey in his cool new black avatar!

There's been much speculation about the plotline for the upcoming Spider-Man 3, especially with the characters already announced: apart from Peter, MJ, Aunt May, J Jonah Jameson and Harry Osborne, the 2007 release will introduce us to The Sandman, possibly Electro, and Gwen Stacy!

You may think you're looking at a black and white photo. Look closely, spider-man wears a black suit in Spider-man 3. It means Tobey Maguire is going to be wearing the coolest black superhero costume till date.

The release is scheduled for May 04, 2007. Don't miss it guys.

Chicktoooooons

2006-02-23T09:57:00.000+05:30

Enough has been discussed about the Bird Flu and its impending danger on India. On a lighter note, I have made a collection of a few chicken cartoons (Chicktoooooons).

So, here is the first of the collection. Move over Osama and company. Bird flu is here to stay and is the latest terrorist threat for the humanity.

Now look what a difference the bird flu has made. The hunter has become the hunted as well as the haunted.

And now we know what the other birds do just in order to save themeselves from bird flu. After all, prevention is better than cure.

This last pic can be better appreciated by the bengalis. For others, the caption says Get rid of the habit of drowsing just after eating, otherwise they will get rid of you thinking that you have been attacked by bird flu.

Look who is blogging!

2006-01-03T10:22:00.000+05:30

This is the first time people are gonna see my literary skills, literally ! Actually, I was thinking about having my own blog for a long time. I wanted to show the dreams, aspirations of a simple boy who tries to rise against all odds, trying all the time to create a space for himself in this ruthless world.

There are many an idea running in my mind, some for the good and some very devilish. Basically it depends on your own perception about what is good and what is bad.
I plan to dish out guys with a plethora of choices all in the same plate. This will be a central point of what I think about the politics, economics, sports, society and last but not the least life as whole.
You never know which idea clicks, if not for me then for the rest of the community!

Finally, I would like to add that the comments, ideas, thoughts, etc. are solely mine. The blogs are not meant to hurt anyone's feelings. If it happens anytime, I sincerely apologise to that person. My intentions are noble to say the least about whatever I write in my blog.
The idea is to just relax, and enter the world and the mind of the koolest AC !!!