It was a misty evening in July 2009, when we, the newly entrants to PGDIE had gathered in the auditorium. Of course, Air Conditioners and PPTs do make a good sleep-inducing agent; but on the other hand the atmosphere was electric and charged up with enthusiasm, curiosity and inquisitiveness. It was the evening of Team Presentations, and the entire audience of around a hundred-odd people was eagerly expecting Team Lakshya seniors to deliver the presentation.
The seniors kept their word: the presentation was stupendous and engrossing. Though, by then we had already come to know much about the ‘pride of NITIE’, still the final impact was thrilling. Everybody wanted to be in Lakshya, and this was the time when I started to feel a li’l bit apprehensive.. Lakshya was my favorite team too, but here was stiff competition for only 11 slots!
The team selection results were out and I was in! Gosh! That was a dream come true.. As days passed, seniors gave us the freedom to express our points, and the backing to chase our goals. From day 1 itself, we were allotted suitable work (which suited everyone’s individual tastes) and we were off on a mission of holding Lakshya 2009!
I will briefly touch upon the time which passed since then. With new, interesting and challenging issues to deal like getting artwork prepared, to negotiating with countless vendors, to coordinating with the NITIE staff, to interacting with the big honchos of the corporate, to proposing deals to prospective sponsors, to inviting the corporate to participate in this event…….. Phew! The list could well go beyond to eternity!
And then came the end of our innocence, (well literally too) and we were handed over the reins of the event from our seniors for Lakshya 2010. With that, began a different kind of game, which typically included us juggling with our classes and attendance (hopefully we found some smart ways of taking care of that) in the mornings, to meeting the leaders of Corporate India in the afternoons, to holding CFTs in the evenings (Abhishek and Sanket – u guys rocked!) to holding heated and looooooong drawn out discussions within the team almost every night. Of course, this exercise usually culminated with us chilling out at the Maggi shop downstairs in the dead of the night, or heading towards the Maddu mess !
Wo bhi kya din the …. We had a lifetime opportunity to meet and interact with top level executives of at least thousand companies across the nook and corner of India. We had the whole time in the world to make our own plans, and execute them. The day when we had presence of Mr. Subrata Roy (Sahara Group) and Mr. Ashok Rao Chavan (Ex CM of Maharashtra) confirmed; it was a day of great rejoicing for all of us.
The D-Day was even more thrilling. With rain threatening to play spoilsport, it took the effort and willpower from the entire batch of PGDIE (seniors and juniors) to come up with viable alternatives at the last time. It was a perfect blend of Disaster preparedness and Risk management – ironically the subjects which are not taught at our alma mater: P
When I look back at the last 2 years spent in NITIE, Lakshya stands out shining like a noble knight in armor. It stands for the indomitable spirit of us PGDIEans, and for the enthusiasm to win; no matter how great the odds may be stacked against us. I would like to extend my deeply acknowledged thanks to my team mates and batch mates, reverence for our seniors and, heartfelt wishes to the succeeding batches of PGDIE and torchbearers of Team Lakshya.
Hope to be back to witness a breath-taking and astonishing Lakshya 2011
Good luck !
Dhawal Moghe
PGDIE 39
NITIE, Mumbai
