The Convocation, The Alma mater

On 27 July 2007, I became an Alumnus of IIT Madras. The 44th convocation took place in the Student Activities Centre amidst much fanfare. The chief guest Mr.R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India presided over the function. It was wonderful to meet many of classmates and buddies. The long walk to the podium, the bow to my HOD and the chief guest, the walk back to the prize winners' area, the walk up again to receive the prize and the chat with the Chief Guest on receiving it was an experience that will remain etched in my mind. Smiling faces and proud parents and relatives greeting and congratulating each other made it memorable.

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My return next day to the department of management studies made me realize the emotional attachment I had with the classrooms, the faculty, my fellow students and juniors and everything that was associated with DoMS. 2 years have whizzed past and I have become an alumnus so fast. With a nice interaction with our juniors and the new incoming batch, followed by the trademark leg-pulling session and a delicious lunch, the alumni reunion is one I pray to be part of in the coming years too, God willing. DoMS has been my second home. It is where I have not just gained academic knowledge but also life's lessons and valuable experiences to enrich myself as a person. I have gained terrific friends who display enough quality to unconditionally admire them. No doubt those days at DoMS are eternal memories.

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Siddharth R

(Topper, MBA Batch of 2007)

Enjoying Summers in Chennai

Two Unforgettable Years

In 2005 we entered as null,
In 2007 we go out as full,

Individual differences have always been,
But when we stand united they are never seen,

When we enjoyed amongst our fraternity,
They are memories that stay for eternity,

Four in a room, we never complained,
In them blood brothers we gained,

The lab has been our favorite hangout,
Sitting together for unforgettable nightouts

Evolved we have with our department- those are good ol' days,
Been part of its growth phase,

Now when we move out,
Success beckons us without a doubt,

No one else to us is a match,
For we are the Breakthrough batch.

When me meet each other sometime,
These we will recall, which were etched in time.

Farewell dear buddies,
Awaiting us are more goodies.

R.Siddharth
(MBA Batch of 2007)

Event - CW - A Talk on Role of Banks in Agri, Commodity & Rural Economy by Executive Vice President, HDFC Bank, Mr. P.V. Ananthakrishnan

“Change is the only constant” – This constant state has brought a lot of positive growth for rural India. The Indian rural economy is booming! The role of managers in this scenario has gained a never before importance. The new dimension to dynamically changing management was added to the future managers of DoMS, IIT Madras by none other than Mr. P.V. Ananthakrishnan (Executive Vice President, HDFC Bank). The topic in spotlight was “Role of Banks in Agri, Commodity & Rural Economy”.

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(Mr. P.V. Ananthakrishnan, Executive Vice President, HDFC Bank, delivering a lecture on Role of Banks in Agri, Commodity & Rural Economy)

Mr. Ananthakrishnan is a seasoned banker with more than twenty five years of work experience in public & private banks. He is a well known name in commercial banking area. His association with HDFC bank goes way back from 1995. He won laurels in the banking sector by setting up capital market business for HDFC bank.

The agenda of the discussion included commodity markets, future & spot market. Changing role of bankers and rural banking was also discussed.

Sixty five percent of India is related to agriculture. This massive figure calls for a thrust to cut across and rise above the constraints, bias and gaps hindering the growth of backbone of our economy. This change can only be possible through “Innovation”.

The Indian mindset has always been inclined towards manipulations, predictions and some calculated risk – the name of the game (in business context) - trading. Futures trading with respect to price discovery, price risk management, hedging, price dissemination & balancing supply – demand has gained importance. The new face of future trading is adapting itself to changes in weather & other dynamic variables. There also exists a causal relationship between future trading and politics. The advent of elections has always created a huge impact on the fluctuation of prices either logically or beyond rationality!

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Mr. Ananthakrishnan also spoke about the importance of forecasting for the seed sowing preferences to Indian farmer. Commodity markets in India is witnessing a never before phenomenal growth. The figure now touches the skies with a 4000000 crores business annually. The long value chain of commodity market is now trimmed down by czars of modern trade, establishing a new role for bankers to play. The role is famously called – “the Catalyst”. Thus banks help in clearing, depository services, information dissemination, aggregating, trading & advisory services.

Speaking on the challenges to the future markets, Mr. Ananthakrishnan created awareness about the broad basing of volumes, political sensitivity, speculative volume, regulated developments & contract farming.

During the discussion a new form of finance emerged out. It’s famously called “structured finance”. Mr. Ananthakrishnan defined it as – “the art of transferring the risks from parties less able to bear the risk to those more equipped to bear it”. Thus rural banking is the area to be concentrated by young managers. It poses huge challenges like the enforcement of lender’s rights, high dependency & lack of commercial approach. The challenges can only be handled effectively by well equipped future managers. Mr. Ananthakrishnan was quite successful in generating the first spark about rural banking in the young managerial minds.

Prashant Saxena

(MBA Batch of 2008)

Farewell Party 2007

Beedi, the classic number from ‘Omkara’ was the song that bought the first few rowdies on to the dance floor….then slowly followed others……and finally the girls joined in even though they would have liked some decent foot tapping number to begin with. The mood seemed to be all set for a party that would drag on well past midnight and with the copious flow of branded beverages, everyone simply swayed into the mood. Soon some fast track Tamil songs of the likes of Apudi Pode, Saraku Vicharake and Randaaka took the breath away from the frenzied guys and gals. This isn’t a scene out of a freaking pub in Bangalore, instead the venue was VGP Resorts in Chennai, where we had hosted the farewell party for our seniors (MBA Batch of 2007).

The place has to be seen to be believed- coconut and palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze of the nearby sea, the high tides owing to a beautiful full moon and a handsomely lighted vast lawn just besides the beach. Such was the paradise where we chose to bid adieu to our seniors. The evening had been fun with junta playing football and beach volley, while a few others preferring to stay cool by swimming either in the sea or in the nearby swimming pool. As the bodies started sweating profusely due to non-stop dancing, it was time for some rest and a sumptuous dinner, which had yummy dishes prepared by the specially chosen caterer. Desserts such as ice creams and gulab jamun soon followed and helped the freaks to gain most of the energy lost.

It was time again to hit the dance floor, though many preferred to sit and chit-chat, the seniors sharing memories of their two years ‘managing’ themselves in the Management course at DoMS, IIT Madras while the juniors getting more and more inquisitive and apprehensive about the year that was to follow. Lots of gyan, gossips and friendly swearing got exchanged only to be followed by as many cuddles and hugs. It was as if that was the only night to rejoice with the closest of friends…….and we as organizers simply loved the sight.


Then there were song dedications to vent deep feelings, be it secret ones or quite open ones, nevertheless they found an opportunity to get expressed. At around 1 o’ clock, we finally decided to call it quits, some out of fatigue and the rest out of fear of getting into the class on time, the following morning…….and there were still others for whom the night had just begun…..they were trying to form circles out of cigarette smoke sitting on the lonely beach!!!

Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna – our only message for our beloved seniors!!!

Pritam Nanda
MBA Batch of 2008
(with inputs from batch mates)