23-year-old Kaif is one of the 37 students who have graduated from IIM Kashipur, the country's newest IIM. With the fattest paycheck on campus and an overseas assignment in Dubai, Kaif has every reason to celebrate. He says he feels great to be able to finally graduate, but adds that what you learn at an IIM takes you beyond salary slips.
Here is Kaif's account of being part of the first batch to graduate from IIM Kashipur:
When I was in my 7th grade my father would always tell me, Kaif aim for the moon and even if you miss you'll surely find a place in the stars. What he didn't tell me though and probably wanted me to realize was that once you are amongst the stars, the moon is well within your grasp. IIM Kashipur offered me the chance to reach the moon.
Looking back, my two years at IIM Kashipur have been very special. In June 2011, when I arrived in my new home, a brand new hostel with new furnishings and the smell of fresh paint welcomed me. Above everything else, I realized that it had never been home to any student before and that made it all the more special.
As they say the hunger for knowledge knows no bounds. An insatiable process that begins in the womb and continues through life. I believe, every student of the pioneering batch has listened to this call. The call to move beyond the boundaries already reached. To challenge the standards already set and to surpass the achievements already accomplished.
And I can vouch, the journey was indeed enriching. We have had our share of trials and tribulations, moments of joy and ecstasy and each experience helped us evolve to the next level and the next, ad infinitum.
The fact that all activities are student driven coupled with the invaluable experience of overcoming challenges inherent in any new venture equipped each of us with a unique skill set. As a part of the placement committee I realized how my task was not only to convince prospective recruiters to come to campus but also make them aware of where Kashipur is, that we had over 200 industries in the vicinity, how they could mix work with pleasure and plan a trip to Jim Corbett which was only half an hour away.
The job was indeed tough but it made me understand that with my first step into the corporate world I have the added responsibility of being the brand ambassador of my college.
They say a leader holds the key to any team, and we were indeed lucky to be led by our director Dr. Gautam Sinha, who shared his ideas and insights at every juncture. And one of the reasons why my time at IIM Kashipur was special is because our eminent faculties ensured that no door was ever closed and no question ever unanswered.
When we stepped into the hallowed portal of IIM Kashipur we knew we would not only have to lead organizations in wealth and value creation but also would be responsible towards the society and the local industry. And looking back, I can confidently say we have started taking steps in the right direction. With six summits focused on industry-academia collaboration and an equal number of events on the social front, I sense it's a job done well.
Thus I conclude by what Steve jobs once said: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future and I hope that everyone at IIM Kashipur from the people those who maintain it, and those who stand with me and behind me will endlessly strive in making this journey of connecting the dots a memorable one for everyone.
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