The IIMA event 'Mousetrap'

One fine day our Gujju (Himanshu) decided that we need to participate in B-School events, so we all joined him. Well we participated in a few events, but nothing of this magnitude happened, before the IIMA Confluence. The game in which we participated was a Business strategy game named 'Mousetrap'. Ours was a team of five (Gujju, Dhirubhai, Budhe(Amar), Kankarson n me). There was a volleyball tornamnent going on in the campus n the timing of the matches were same as the event timings.

DAY 1

The net 'as usual' was not working in the hostel. So we shifted our base to the NNAC. Then we were not able to log into the website, we thought that the IIMA website was not able to take the load, as had been the case in an earlier event organised by IIMA. Hence, we all were doing some time pass, but Gujju was very determined to play the game. He motivated us by saying that 'Guys I want to go home so we need to do really well in this game', as by doing well in the game we could go n participate in Confluence. So we also decided that we want to go to Gujju's home.

Later on we learnt that the webpage would work only on IE6, n no computer in NNAC was having IE6, some trouble, but somehow Dhirubhai recalled that he knew the admin password of one computer, then we downloaded IE6 on that comp. By the time we logged in, we had already lost some 2 hours out of the 4 hours alloted. But somehow we read the documents and had a 'very heated discussion about which industry to choose'. But we surely missed Budhe, as he had a volleyball match. Without him any discussion is meaningless, thats because of the passion he generates in his arguements.

DAY 2

On the second, me n Dhirubhai had class till 9.30 pm, courtesy DMSC. So before we came the entire decision was done by Budhe, Gujju n Kankarson.

DAY 3

Well we were really surprised to see our rank, we were 3rd among more then 350 national n international teams. Great going, we were suddenly on cloud 9. Today the entire team was there, so we had a really heated argument about everything ranging from how much to price to hom much to produce, ad spending n every damn thing. Finally Budhe suggested price cut but me n Dhirubhai bombed his idea by our arguments.

DAY 4

Since on day 3 we didnt heed to elderly advice abt 'price cut', so we had to pay the price, we slipped 31 ranks to land at 36th position, with more then half our goods unsold. So we played sensibly, the first priority was to get rid of excess inventory, we decided to produced less n also cut our price. One shd have been there to know how much bargain we did to cut even 10 bugs. Later on we had to diversify in another industry, n as expected the discusion was amazing. Just the 5 of us shouting in the CC at the top of our voices, others must have thought that we were fighting, but thats the way we discuss.

Without Kankorson's comic relief, no day used to end, but this was something really amazing, after playing the game for 4 days, our dear friend asked. 'Hey what is this Coco, do they want us to sell Coca Cola'. All of us were shocked as it was the hypothetical currency with which we were playing, n after being there for 4 days how can anyone ask such a question. Anyways thats Kankarson's core competency.

DAY 5

Well we were again back to Rank 5, as we were in DAY 3. That day we had to produce goods for two industry, but now our Gujju wanted to play safe. He said guys I desperately want to go home, even if we dont produce a single unit we will be among the top 50 teams n thus qualify. But we wanted to play, so we did everything from price calculation to how much to produce n advertise. Finally it was time to price our goods, our sole objective was to sell all the goods, one shd have been there to see how the Gujju, Budhe, Dhirubhai n me, were doing 'MANDVALI' ie bargaining in marathi, for even 1 coco. Finally we finished it n we knew that we r definately going to Gujju's place.

RESULTS

On the day of results we were watching a movie 'The Village', suddenly Mr. Kankarson came n told us with a very sorry face that our Rank is 49 n we have somehow qualified. We were shocked, but were happy that we qualified. Then he himself couldnt control himself n started laughing n told us that we were Ranked 6 overall n 3rd among non-IIMA teams, we also won a handsome prize money though we were confused how much we won Rs. 15k or Rs. 7.5K.

It was really great to be a part of such a wonderful team.

My Girlfriend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The moment I landed in BIM from Delhi, people started asking me that "U never told us about ur girlfriend". I was shocked n surprised!!!!! Well I myself never knew that I had a girl friend, n people here have even seen her pic. Surprising!!!!! Even I wanted to know who this girl is.

I ran back to check the groups mail n then I realised that it was my good friend Mr. Kankarson's work, it seems he wanted people to see his exploits in Mumbai/Pune, so he used my name, as he met a good old friend of mine he took a pic of hers n made her my girl friend. Well I dont mind it, n anyways I have had a cruch on every 3rd girl I have met n she is also one among them.

The Delhi Trip

This was one trip which I had never planned, usuallyI am a meticulous planner n I plan everything. Hey but who so ever had planned it for me did a wonderful thing.

It was a trip for the placement presentation to the companies, which is an annual ritual followed by every B-school in India. Seven of us (Appy, Manish, Sandeep, Manit, Pallavi, Rahul n me) started together the day exams got over. Well that day I was on a 'high' courtesy Brahma, so after blabbering a bit, kept quiet.

While going we had major fun courtesy, Manish, Manit n Sandeep n we had some good food courtesy, Appy. These ppl made major fun of everyone esp me. On landing in Delhi I twisted my ankle n was barely able to walk. But thanks to Sandeep, was able to walk properly the very next day. The next five days were really hectic, we used to cover some 100 kms daily n god knows how many companies. By the end of each day we used to be damn tired, but some how used to meet at Ansal plaza n have some fun.

Well I had a great time in Delhi, as I stayed in Sandeep's house so we were lucky to have some really good food, courtesy Sandeep's mom n sister. Well I will never forget the kinda food n stay we had at his home.

On 1st of October we celeberated Aparna's birthday, we gave her some kinda surprise. The major planning was done n executed by Sandeep n Dipti. My contribution being, getting up early n ofcourse selecting the card.

On 2nd we left Delhi, for the return journey there were only 4 people. But still we had fun n we came back to BIM singing throughout the way..........

It was a wonderful trip n we really worked hard n enjoyed. For me I got to know n learn a few things, seems like falling again. Special Thanks to whosoever planned this trip for me.