On Board the aircraft SpiceJet 282 18th June, 2013
I
am writing this piece several thousand feet above the sea level. People say
they are on cloud nine. A peep round the corner of my window reminds me that I
am typing my mind to my laptop screen sitting on top of more clouds than nine.
Nature’s beauty, in view now, is taking me to joy which know no bounds. So,
what better time could I have to do what I really like doing. Here I am
narrating what I am going through on this plane.
First let me tell you people where I am heading to from
Chennai; it is to Ahmedabad for a 4 day seminar on entrepreneurial excellence
for young entrepreneurs at IIM-A. I got this lucky opportunity through our
business’ banker ICICI. This seminar is organised by them in a tie-up with the
IIM faculty to explore and educate on tackling the challenges of
entrepreneurship and businesses. ICICI gets to invite few from each zone to the
conclave. I believe my father’s excellent rapport with the bank and their trust
on him might have got me this chance. Enough said about why I am on this
flight. There is far too much happening here, so why am I not moving onto the
niceties around me right now.
I entered on board wondering if boredom would catch me like
it often does while travelling alone; sat down on my seat 29A at the tail of
the aircraft. This being a noon flight on a weekday, the flight wasn't full.
The seats next to me went unoccupied. That perfectly suited the idea to blog
with only loneliness around. The take off had just happened and I have typed
the first few paragraphs since. The fully stretched view of marina’s shores
from here is breathtaking. Chennai can be, indeed, so beautiful too. I am now
looking down on the clouds. It is quite different from usually looking up to
see them. I see its shadow falling down on the city from what they call a top
view in engineering classes. Each shadow likened its respective cloud exactly
in shape like a mirror image. I see that they are the only shades to save
Chennai for the scorching sun.
I am now allowed to take my seat beats off. I immediately
rush to the lavatory to answer to nature’s call.
I am back. As sit down, I glance at the air-hostess as she
brings water. Well, if anybody has the obvious question that I had, the
answer is that no one looks good. SpiceJet it is; so, not much to expect. I am
now reminded of being on Emirates for a family trip to Europe; they were how
air-hostess should be indeed.
We are on cruise mode now. The crew start their food
delivery. The food tray comes close to my seat. I expect it to be complimentary and ask for
what juice they have on offer. The hostess says lemon; I take it with a smile
in reply to hers. She looks at me and says ‘30’. I had no
option but to dish out 30 from my wallet though I didn't need the drink because
I would have else looked so dumb. ‘oh no,
30 for two sips of lime water?!!’, I questioned myself. ‘Budget Airline’, I answered my question
too.
The best part of conservative Indian families is, they never
lose an opportunity to cut the odd extra expense. I had chapattis packed for
lunch as rolls. I now take a break from typing to eat it. It is 1 hour into the flight time
of 2 hours and 20 minutes.
10 minutes has passed by since, and all the chapattis are
into my stomach. I have felt this feeling and it has been proved by science
too. Every time after hunger’s quest is answered, mind takes its break too and
dozes off. What better example than our
memories of attending classes after lunch in school and college. So, I am wondering what I type now.
My mind takes it time and goes to Ahmedabad. It feels
uncomfortable of the fact that it has to wage a battle with its supposedly
powerful IIM counterparts. Lack of confidence is not something to feel bad of.
Everybody goes through that feeling on and off. Although we try to keep it up
always, it rocks to the bottom for no apparent reason or the reason of a false
fear. I talk my mind through it and say it will do fine there. It doesn't agree
and keeps questioning me. I then cast my mind back to the pleasant experiences
it has had. It smiles in return and says, ’bring
it on’.
By this time, I have lost my ability to hear partially. My
wondering thoughts bring me close to the time for descending to Ahmedabad. I am
asked to switch off all my electronic devices and open up my window sheet. I am
saving this now. I will get back to complete the story.
IIM-A campus Management Development Centre Room No. 57 22nd June, 2013
Four days have gone by since, and it has been an amazing time.
The programme had people from diverse businesses; all fresh from starting their
own or taking over from their fathers'. I was thrilled to be part of it all. The
networking we had was very important and good. Listening from IIM professors, the
lessons on management was nothing short of an overwhelming experience. With no
real management experience, I was pleasantly surprised to see myself being so
participative in the class to the questions of the professors. It sure gave me
confidence for my career ahead. At least, it gave me a feeling that I belonged
to that coveted group of the best.
A campus tour around IIM-A left me in awe given the beauty
of it all. To think this is where India’s top minds come from made my presence
unbelievable. I leave this place fully knowing I have had one of the best experiences
of my life in the last four days.
I am not sure what I intended to convey through this
write-up, maybe the happenings of an air-travel initially; but at the end of it
all, the very feeling of living a dream made me finish the way I did to savour
the experience for a long professional career ahead; hopefully one that will
end successful, satisfied and peaceful.
Wish me luck,
nagapps-the-entrepreneur
No comments:
Post a Comment