Why I went to IIMA. Did it help ?
I was exhausted “academically” when I finished BE Hons in Guindy in 1982. I was keen to work. First job turned out to be boring though the team was young. My dad had a four break while at school and completed his schooling late. He stood first in school in SSLC. He went to Madras and secured a job in railways. He was keen I should study further. But I was not. I was clear I was not made to be an engineer. I made an attempt to secure admission to par- time MBA in a leading college but failed. Our boss was from IIT Madras and IIMC. He used to ask me now and then, ” Is this all you want to do ?” In 1984, my colleague Balan secured admission to IIMC. Balan went away to IIMC little realising that he would prove an inspiration. I told my dad I would make full hearted maiden attempt at CAT 1985. My motivation ? More than getting out of the humdrum job, I wanted to do something which would do him proud and that something should not be easy for others to achieve. Result? If somebody was to pick...