My CAT story

The greatest fear of a storyteller is that of his story going unheard.And I shared the same apprehension whenever I thought of sharing it.But then a friend of mine managed to convince me to share it.And what better time than CAT season at its peak and what better place than pagalguy to share it.After all u have given to me Puy,its the least I can do.
First of all this is not a rickshawpuller-son-getting -into-iim kind of story.So for those looking for sensational stories turn away, there are Asaram's sexcapades to look forward to.For those who want to know how normal guys go about preparation,keep reading.
My cat story is basically divided into two phases one during graduation and other at Infosys Training.
Phase 1-After giving two hard years at engineering I realized that I can not become a good engineer.I had only one option of giving cat and begin my career thereon.Also CAT as a challenge was pretty enjoyable to me.English was always my first love in school and Mathematics wasn't my most hated subject, so things fell in place and I started preparing.In 3rd year I got enrolled at TIME Bhopal.I did not miss a single class atleast in the first six months, that enjoyable the classes were to me.I finished daily practice assignments in classes and used to get my doubts clarified then and there.The teachers we had in Bhopal were fantastic and gave personal attention to each.I used to read newspapers daily and maintain my vocabulary copy without fail.
Going for CAT examination for the first time was a very jittery prospect, and I crumbled.I fared very badly and ended up getting 80 odd percentile.I recovered and did well in XAT, SNAP and IIFT.But the CAT dream was well and truly over.Meanwhile in February I got recruited for Infosys.Also in March an unfortunate incident occurred.I fractured my left arm severely.So with a job offer and one broken arm,I vowed to give Cat again.
Phase 2-
Our joining date at Infosys came as 8th August.Our final year exams got over in May.I realised I had enough rest after that incident and decided to start my preparation in earnest.I went through all the booklets again and solved it.Quant had never been my forte,so I knew I had to work doubly hard on it.I had borrowed a book for the same from my friend and started going thorough it.The concepts were very well illustrated and carried a lot of questions.I started enjoying Quant and finished the major chunk of geometry and number system before going for job.
With barely 2 months for cat remaining and my Infosys training regime not going well , I was at crossroads.To chase CAT where the mocks were mocking me or give up and concentrate on my job which wasn't going smoothly as well.Those in IT industry would buy how tough it gets at Infosys during training.
I talked to my parents very often, they were supportive of me.When a father says, "koi baat nhi beta wahan se agar nikaal bhi diye to kya hoga,hum hain na",trust me friends , the confidence goes soaring.I went about finishing my left over syllabus,I had marked a few topics like p and c and probability for the last in which I did not have great command.In the last 45 days I gave a lot of tests and spent greater time in analysing them.The analysis was very handful in knowing my weaknesses and strengths.The schedule was very hectic.Juggling between training and studies was a big thing.Time was at premium.I used to mark all the doubts in all the subjects and go to my coaching centre at Mysore and get all my doubts clarified at once.I was not meeting many of my friends but the situation demanded of me to be a recluse.I would sleep at 11 and wake up at 3 for last 30 days.The big bang theory was my only source of entertainment.Thank you Star World !
10 days before the examination , I was confident having completed my syllabus and after having enough practice.I would try doing sums mentally and find answers.Solving various kind of puzzles became fun for me,I would read anything that came my way and often go to read at the library.
The D day came , and friends I won't be lying when I say I was nervous as hell.It was tough calming myself.But I knew I had done enough hard work and if the paper comes anywhere close to my expectations, I would excel.
And I did..!!
The result was better than I expected.Wasn't good enough to garner ABC calls but good enough to give a secured sense of feeling that this was the last time I m giving CAT.
This is my CAT story.I did not write this to inspire anybody.But to tell everybody that belling CAT is in your own hands.Determination to do well was the thing in me.U must have found your own.
Now ,before the teacher grows more suspicious as to what I m typing so vigorously, I must end it here ( yes I am writing this during a lecture).

Gagan Deep
NITIE Mumbai
Management Batch of 2012-14

Jo thi , hai aur rahegi !!

No. I’m not talking about the four lettered word which is the theme of this month in most of our lives. That, even though people say it is forever, it is hardly so. Love comes, it goes, and very rarely sticks around forever when we are expecting it to.

The thing that never dies… that is expectation.

Let me take my life for an example. I was born, and my relatives expected me to be named something other than Gagan . (Mummy let me in on this.) Some of the names they suggested are positively ghastly to hear. First expectation down the drain… I grew up into a handsome little boy(now,didn't I ?). They expected me to get into the best school; so much so, they left me with some weird looking strangers who asked me questions I had no idea what to say to. I suppose they were mathematics, but how they foretold that I would have affection for that subject, God only knows! That expectation, thankfully, was met and I started enjoying my school life. It was fine for a while, but once I got into middle school, I was expected to compete for marks. 98 wasn’t enough, neither was being second, the first was the ONLY option, I was told. Ah, it was like telling me to make tea, and giving every ingredient but the tea leaves. They even resorted to blackmail actually, telling me to get that top marks, and I’ll give you a computer. I must have been a dunce then, because I let myself believe that till twelfth grade. That expectation of being a bookworm was unfortunately satisfied too. When that was satisfied, the next four years were sought after. You can play later… four years you do well, you can be happy the rest of your life. And I tried, really tried. But even I was expecting something of them that they went on taking advantage of. When I realized my wait was endless, it was too late. The time when I had to play, relax and enjoy my life, with the friends that kept telling me to come out of my shell, that time was gone. And try as I do, to become that outgoing, extrovert that I wish myself to be, a part of me still has that bookworm in me, who can’t think of anything but a fear of going out of the boundaries that was unknowingly instilled into me. Today, I am what I expected to be, a mostly happy cheery faced person who loves to talk, hang out with friends, try to become better at what I love to do. Even then, that expectation of others never satisfies. If you’re earning a hundred thousand each year, make it double tomorrow. Don’t ever think of slowing down or even going at that same pace which you’re comfortable at… Life’s a rat race… Oh yes, it is. These words that are pushed into my head since the middle of my education, it’s become set into.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mean to say that once your expectation is met, you shouldn’t expect again. Just that, if you are expecting something of someone, they do expect something back too. As much love as there is in this world, it is give and take, not take and don’t give. If you expect faster outputs, give the correct inputs at first, and then applaud the effort the other is putting in, so that person feels the joy he put into the work has paid off. If you expect someone to do well, tell them so, and give that person what he needs to succeed. If you promise the world to him today, and then again, use that same promise to go on making him chase tomorrows, it’ll hurt later; for what would have been useful today isn’t the same tomorrow. It’s like saying someone to make some tea, and giving him everything but the tea leaves.

I don’t believe in life being a rat-race… where the winner gets the spoils. I believe life is a beautiful journey, more in the journey than the destination. Set goals, and get there… but in your hurry to get there, don’t miss out on what is around you. The world expects many things about you, but to make those expectations happen, don’t forget your own, because some things aren’t worth sacrificing for any joy or reward that getting there sooner will give you.

Yahi Jiwan hai ...!!

I am not a "Seen it all -done it all- freaking awesome-intellectually strong " human being.And I will also not lie by saying that I made a lot of friends but I have met quite a few living legends in their own rights in last six months who are living-breathing-acting and what not example of the same. I will try to put some perspective about few things and people I have observed till now.

Ladies First

So what would you do if you find yourself getting more than a little attention, actually quite a lot more than your undergrad. You see , suddenly you are in the top 3 (compared to the girl next door in your undergrad) and you are being pursued by most enchanting opposite sex creatures. Ah, that’s great.

When you join a B school, and if you happen to be a girl with average to good looks, trust me most of the tom dick and harry are there to hit on you.

It’s a global phenomenon. Beauty preferred over brains anytime, any work and anyhow. You might even wonder how dumb the system can be , but nobody promised you a fair trial when you decided to take a B School way.

I don’t doubt the capability of “Indira Nooyis” in making but apparently its damn easy when the whole ecosystem (read profs, recruiters, boss) is there to embrace you. You can still be proud though for making it to the B School , it must have taken some real effort to clear that online exam . (No point discussing about interview, diversity is the buzzword :P)


So what about the guys ?

I have met few of the sharpest minds (and the meanest one , both rolled into one ) and some real bimbos. I have been lucky enough to meet intelligent, passionate and hard working (about MBA ) guys with diverse interest and career focus.

Since all tom dick and harry are from this sex, I will gracefully admit that there is this feeling of “missing the train” among TDH , and naturally they want to catch the last train home (read getting a gf)  which explains the desperation on their part.

Apparently we can put the guys down in few categories :

1. Pursuers : Have multiple focus, possess average to good looks and have been unable to catch any train till now.

2. Sissys : Part of girl gang. They act, behave, talk and needless to say think (Oops misnomer) owing to their close association with girls . Provide enough opportunities to other categories of guys to have a good laugh in a day or two. Respect buddies, your contributions towards the humanity (sisterhood and brotherhood) are unmatchable.

3. Studs : Respected in Public, abused in private by fellow beings.

4. Give-ups: They do a simple math, when the ratio is more than 1:10, don’t fight.Some real visionaries come out of this category. And yes I proudly belong to this category

Well since its a dynamic course people switch the categories depending on the probability of catching the train.

And oh yes, there is common category for both sexes where people are “committed” to some other human being studying/working in geographical distant institute/company.

Well I have seen people tearing up that relationship contract quite a few often to believe in any such thing , but nonetheless “commitment” helps you enjoy the best of the both worlds. (Thanks to Pursuers and the Sissys)

PS :- No offense to anyone.I know each of my friends can easily classify them in one of these groups :D

Hope to keep blogging

Gagan Deep