Fourth Issue

VOX POPULI

Edition: 2

WE ASKED:

ASSESS HALL DAY 2006

THEY ANSWERED:

99% . . . the food is “worse”. Hall day should be there as it’s a mode to relax our tension. The only hope to enjoyment.

Ashutosh Saran Singh
Department of Chemical Engineering
ashuss@

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The Capitalist manifestation of pump and glitter in a neo-First world set up like IIT is just another attempt to take the minds of our budding researchers and scientists away from the naked reality that surrounds them and threatens to bite. One does NOT have to go outside the campus to realize the oddity of the situation . . just have a good look at the campus and the condition of the daily laborers, for instance. Can't we have a Hall Day without such shameless parade of overindulgence?

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It was a beautiful and lively evening to remember. Enjoyed the food and flower decoration. A little more encouragement and active participation from residents in cultural events will add some more stars to the event.

Vishal Aggarwal

MBA
aggarv@

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Our Hall Day celebration was really nice and we enjoyed it very much. This celebration really gave us an opportunity to relax a bit from the hectic schedule of our system. It was really a nice and enjoyable Hall Day.

Sambit Panigrahi
HSS
sambit@

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No upgrade of hall day cultural programs. No hall day needed, if it is as it is now. Take your guide to a restaurant for buttering.

Chandrashakher Bhuiyan,
Department of Civil Engineering
bhuiyan@

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First, I take this opportunity to appreciate “Pratidhwani” team for their healthy initiation of inviting the views of hall residents about hall day. Compared to other hall days (since 2001), I found Antarlay-’06 better in some sense. Though the cultural event was successful, what bothered me was the minimal involvement of the residents especially the new comers. This is disappointing as hall-day is supposed to be “our own” function and the idea behind organizing it is to find out the hidden talent in the residents. To that extent, the cultural secy. has failed a bit to attract the talent of the newcomers. Like previous hall-days, there was a lack of continuity during award distribution which resulted in chaos. We can’t blame any body as most of the awardees were busy with their own guests. As usual, the food was good, especially when doubts and apprehensions were voiced in the context of the lack of mess chairman. Decoration was at par, kudos to the whole HEC. Last but not the least, I would like to thank our previous presidents for their efforts to made the Antarlay-‘06 a memorable and sweet experience for me.

Ritesh Kumar Dubey
Department of Mathematics
riteshkd@

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Creativity at it’s own sense. Guide ko maska lagao.......keep him at good humor.

D N Srinath
Department of Aerospace Engineering
srinath@

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For VOX POPULI

Sathyaraj.V., sathya@
and
Tuhin K. Pal, tuhin@

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Leader Among Equals??

A sensitive equal, "seemingly harmless", "self appointed"- attempts to lead a group alongwith his few close confidants. A group where each member is equally capable and motivated towards a common goal, where each one shares a personal rapport with the leader. The leader envisions a work well done with cooperation of all volunteers- he considering himself also a volunteer. Everything starts great. Almost perfect plan shared with all. Communication exchanged within group congratulating a good start and planning. Fair deal of important work delegated to each of the equals.

Something goes terribly wrong in execution. The team gets divided into numerous power centers. Some commanding power from "seemingly harmless" and "right actions" of theirs. Some commanding powers from opposition of these "self confessed powerful" people.

A third fraction of people completely out of all activity- a recoil of past events. They were never recognized in an event just finished.

Contention, distrust grows. The easy tasks become unbearable. Leader "Works hard but doesn't delegate"- is the cry. Is the matter so simple?

Leader- pioneering a batch of equals-- makes a terrible mistake-- assumes that everyone is in tandem. Rules once made, responsibilities once delegated work according to the perfect plan-- but this does not happen. Different personalities, vested interest come into play. They are "equal" forces to recon with. But act superior. Leader, busy and pre-occupied with attainment of goal- misses the new developments. Does not "feel the nerve" regularly of his team of equals.

The team starts breaking. Cracks seldom appear on surface. Some remaining quiet, some instigate others, some seek an opportunity to vent. Things intolerable. "Beware" message sent. A few understand. Albeit, things remain unchanged. Next, all hell breaks loose. One "equal" buckles. Can't tolerate more. Leader faces fire.

A visibly broken leader. "We are under pressure", "We work like dogs" "People Hibernating" says the CORE team. Is not hibernation forced? The question to ponder over- Who is shying away from duty? Are they not crying "Give responsibilities; let us do our assigned duty, Why are you interfering". Is it falling on deaf ears or intentionaly overlooked. And then they talk of "Consensus".

Problem?

Over simplification of motives and behaviors? Failure to recognize equals with vested interests? Failure to decipher group dynamics? Deviation from promise of equal opportunity? Lack of confidence in equals by leader and other people? Considering equals as unequals?

Is a central point of contact not desired and absolutely necessary? Leader can't change frequently. Very true. Agreed. Nobody challenges that. But treating without bias. Seek opinions regularly from equals might help. Afterall,

They are "equals".

Vishal Aggarwal

aggarv@

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Quote of the Week:

Success does not change a person. It only magnifies you. It allows you to be who you are.

Will Smith, Hollywood Sensation

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Our Heritage

Volume: 2
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Apurba Kumar Jana (Nickname: MOGAMBO) (CHE, M.Tech & Ph.D, 1987-1994) was a garden secretary for many years. He was obsessed with gardening and particularly in maintaining Hall-4 lawns. In those days our hall was so often trespassed by cows, goats etc. Helpless Mogambo used to scold the gardeners for their carelessness and chased the animals out. In the mean time, based on his recommendations a rule was passed by HEC “Not to put chair in the hall-4 lawn.” Hall-4 still respects the sentiment.

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P.P.Thankchan (CHM, Ph.D, 1970-1982) took almost 12 years to complete his doctoral program! Why? He had diverse interests such as chess, cooking chicken, solving academic and computer problems of residents etc. When his programme got extended too long, the administration asked his guide for an explanation. Later, his guide instructed Tank to finish up quickly. Tank nodded affirmative to his guide but never showed up for more than a month. Tank had a strong attachment to our hall and used to listen and solve the problems of the residents and perhaps, this kept him too busy all the time. At last, the guide sent him a telegram – “Urgent! Meet immediately”! Instead of going to the department, Tank went to the post office and sent a reply telegram to his thesis supervisor “Too busy, will meet you later”!! The furious supervisor with the help of his fellow students managed to get Tank to the lab and compelled him to show his thesis write-up. Tank tried to escape by promising to bring the staff, but his supervisor was smarter this time. He sent another student to fetch all papers from Tank’s room! Then he ordered Tank not to leave his lab before finishing the thesis write-up. Arrangement was done for lunch and dinner to be served in the lab itself! For about a month he stayed in the lab and finished the thesis write-up!!!

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Coming up next…
Story of a person who was preparing and selling wine in hall-4…
A person who had his pet horse and used to ride him to his lab…
When TANK organized a Carnival to fade hall day function…
The 29-page PhD thesis…
And lots more…

Collected and edited by: Ankur Verma, ankurv@

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Humor Section

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