Orientation...

The very first lecture was taken by Mr. B.P. Pethiya, Dean, IIFM. A highly punctual person, tall and smart, some notes/handouts in hands and little faster while walking. He told that past 19 batches expressed their feelings (while leaving the campus after their two years successful course) that it was difficult to say how two years flew away at IIFM. “And I am sure this batch is also going to say the same” he added. In the break-time each of us was trying to keep their eyes widely open to show their sleepless attention during the class. Pravir asked me about my wellness and I asked him whether he had seen Sumit. He asked me to wait and sent Sumit outside. We greeted each other and interrogated for some basic introduction. I met his parents there only. He came to our room and shared his personal experience and views. I asked for some habits like drinking, smoking, worshiping etc. This I had asked to almost all my batchmates.

One of the lectures was of Mr. CVRS Vijay Kumar. As told by seniors we found the same expected experience in the class. Munish, an engineer from Moradabad was sitting beside me and trying to solve a problem given by Sir. As I solved before him, he enquired from me some steps. I asked him about his background and gave a weird expression for his inability to solve the problem. Similarly lectures after lectures, we got to know what we are going to learn throughout the two years and how we have to adapt. A feeling crept in my mind regarding job after this course but it slept for time being. Many rules and regulations were being told repeatedly (some of the lines I still remember). The weekend of the orientation was kept for visit to a National Park in Bhopal only. It was a nice experience. Many of us got to know each other’s talent for which many of us were desperate to show to all others. Mr. C S Rathod and Mr. Yogesh Dubey (Chairperson Admission) guided us and showed some bear droppings. A team had already been deployed to instruct us regarding wild behaviours and for some adventurous activities. While returning one tyre got damaged of one of the buses. Doctor Heramba (from Orissa) helped a lot to mechanic, although he had injured his hand in some other adventurous activity.

We took lunch there only and came back late in the evening. In that week there was an event at the boys’ hostel, Daroo Party. Some batchmates had formed Sutta Group and partied. In between we showed our talent in Antakshari between girls and boys. Finally orientation ended with a quiet weekend and schedules were distributed for First Trimester. Akshat, and Ritesh (from Ujjain) were selected as CR, Class Representative. Classes had to be started from 1^st July, Monday. We had to reach by 08:30. One hour class and then a break of 10 minutes, Lunch from 01:00 to 02:00 and then again a class for an hour. This time table was the revised one and an experiment on our batch. Mr. Ashutosh Verma, Faculty for accounts had distributed his notes for MANAC (Management Accounting) beforehand on Saturday – Sunday only. So now after an eventful week, a trimester was waiting for us. Thus we were ready to start. Many of us slept very early that night.

............RaeBareli to Bhopal (via Lucknow)............

All necessities shopped from Super Market, RaeBareli. All documents duly checked and kept safely and so on....

Ready, Steady and Go......., As I crossed Nigohan (A junction 50 kms after RaeBareli and 30 kms before Lucknow) I took my packed dinner. Eagerly I waited at the door of train. Announcements were on their peak at Charbagh Railway Station, Lucknow. I had to board Pushpak Express from Chhoti Line (hardly 50 meters from Badi Line). So I went on platform no

. 1 and checked the status. Train was standing and I boarded the coach. Within next 15 min train started sliding. I lied on my upper birth and started recalling for any left item. As train caught its speed I called at home and informed my comfort in order to sleep there on. It was Jhansi when I woke up to sleep again after checking my luggage. Two hours before Bhopal, at Beena, I woke up finally. Train was little late and left me at Bhopal at around 08:30 am.

As I went nearer the hostel campus, I sited 5-6 guys chatting. Presuming them as seniors I took a wide turn towards hostel after checking my allotted room no. But then only one of those guys called me as if he is senior to me. I reached and Pravir identified me and welcomed me as well. Pravir, Ambar (from Allahabad) and Pawan (from Siligudi, West Bengal) took one of my bags and headed for second floor. Room no. 30 was cornered by room no. 29 and a common bathroom for both the rooms. Pawan asked me for Sutta (an unknown word for me) with identifiable gestures and I refused. He said those who love it are upstairs and left. It was a shared accommodation and from the list with guards I got to know that Sumit Kumar Gour (from Bhopal only) was my roommate. I wisely selected my bed, cupboard and table – chair as if my roommate is Surma Bhopali and is going to keep me deprived of my inherent rights of a roommate. Balcony of room no. 30 opens towards the Road to Classes, Administration Section and Mess (while going from hostel) and one can explore guys going for respective purpose. After refreshing myself I went for breakfast and met many others like Akshat Pathak (from Ghaziabad), Mohd. Aatish Khan (from Jabalpur), Ujjwal (from Patna) etc. The whole day was spent in introduction and matching preferences. My roommate didn’t come that day. I slept early in order to get ready next day on time for ten days of orientation.