Cutting Chai with Bhawana Somaaya - Day 173

Cutting Chai with Bhawana Somaaya - Day 173

Week end @ IIM Indore part i

20.8.13, Mumbai

‘You will love the university campus’ English lecturer

Barnali Chaudhary told me over the phone while inviting me to release my latest book Talking Cinema: Conversations with Actors & Filmmakers at their college. “It will be interesting to address the students and discuss how management can be a part of filmmaking” said Chaudhary.

IIM University Indore was instituted in 1996 and is today counted among the top colleges of management in India. It is a pioneer in training undergraduates to a long and productive course in varied subjects at the campus. The campus and the guest house where I was put up  is perched on top of a hill surrounded by lush trees, chirping birds and a glorious skyline that you only get to watch in films.

My interaction with the students and the book release by the Dean of the University N Ravichanderan was held at the IIM Auditorium followed by an engaging question answer session. Most students are initially hesitant and shy in the beginning to stand up before a crowd and ask questions, but slowly they muster confidence and then they are unstoppable.

Post event a couple of professors drove to the city for dinner and over kebabs and paan ice cream I asked them how it felt surviving far away from home in a lonely campus. I learnt that they lead a hectic life which is as demanding as a corporate job but selfless. They said at the end of a hard day they are so drained that there is no time for dinner, television or family.

Imagine these young professors work harder than our corporate, police or parliamentarians at almost quarter of their salaries. Now we understand why teaching is referred to as a noble profession.

Bhawana Somaaya/ @bhawanasomaaya