A Wednesday!
11th April, 2012.
11:04 a.m.
The day I was at work and everything was as always. I got up to attend a training session, when a colleague said in a low voice, "Dude, where are you going? The Calcutta results are out!"
I don't know what happened in the next few seconds! A total blackout I must say.
Next thing I know, I am staring at the results portal of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta for the batch of 2012 - 2014.
With shivering hands and constant mutters of "Shit shit shit shit" I somehow managed to enter my details.
I clicked on "Get Results"
BLINK
I got a glimspe of the word "Congratulations" and without even seeing the rest of the page or even if it was indeed my result, I pressed Windows+L and stood up...
After a few joyous utterances of profanity and a huge sigh of relief, I called up a few people and had long conversations with them.
Later it occured to me that I may have made a total fool of myself had it been the case that I were in the waitlist or if it were someone else's result page that I had accidentally opened! I rushed to my laptop and keyed in all the details again, this time with even more trembling hands! Add the knees knocking away to glory as well!
YUP.
Same result! Selected for IIM Calcutta!
Man! I immediately removed my enrollment for the training course at work and made a few more calls.
The rest of the day was one lovely, floating feeling...
All in all, a day I will never forget. A day I will always cherish. A day when I was astonished by the overwhelming moment... I had never foreseen my reaction. I always felt that I would be elated beyond words and would be pumping my fists in the air and clicking heels mid-air...
But no. It was a humbling moment. The greatest management institute of the country had selected me. It felt like an unreal blend of ecstacy, excitement and a soothing calm. Peace overcame me. I felt so grateful. Surprisingly, pride was one of the last few emotions to get to me. I didn't feel like a boss, not at all like a sir. I felt like closing my eyes and crying softly till all of this made sense.
It didn't. It still hasn't. And it probably won't anytime soon.
A very stong feeling of thankfulness overcame me. I met my Sir-Mentor-Guide-Friend that evening for one amazing, amazing conversation and celebration.
And after what feels like an eternity, I finally decide to post this on my blog.
This is the dream. Joka is going to happen. I am going to enter the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
