An MBA wasn’t a thing I was really interested in, money was. With hope in my eyes I reached the place to give my PI.

I felt a little out of place in my formal shirt and formal pants. The room was filled with future CEO’s(?) in suit and tie, looking fresh to lead a company. In the mid of April, especially changing two buses to get to the destination, suit and tie was not exactly my idea of the perfect attire. I was very wrong.

There was this fat guy, he seemed like some PR guy, preparing to give some speech.

Now thank god I listened to him carefully because this guy had made the most sense than anyone will ever make in my entire life.

“The Great River Management college is not just a college, it’s more like a charitable institution. We don’t believe in making profits. We care about the society, the people that’s why we have launched a new programme ‘Paropakara’ where we want everyone to spend a week in a village, help the people around there, experience what they go through, see the ambience of the village and get acquainted to their food habits.”

“We at this institution believe in equality for all, talent is the only criterion for us. Nothing else stands in the way.”

We were handed the brochure.
Fees for one year MBA – 25 lakhs.

‘The Great River Management college is not just a college, it’s more like a charitable institution’

I scanned through.
For those who can’t afford, (my eyes lit up for the first time that day) we provide a special loan exclusively by the college, with an interest of 15% P.A.

‘We don’t believe in making profits’

Hopelessly I turned the page. It was greeted with an eye-catching veneer of tricolor painted on the whole page, boldly written ; Paropakara.
Paropakara, a program to get the students acquainted with the finer nuances of the village life and what people go through it.
And a lot of hopeful bullshit followed.

Whenever handed a brochure my eyes tend to always spot the numerical value in the page.
1.5 lakh for one week stay.

‘we want everyone to spend a week in the village’

The stay will be enjoyable with regular sightseeing, joyride etc.

‘help the people around there’

Accommodation will be provided in a hotel equivalent to 3 star facilities.

‘experience what they go through’

Safety is our main concern so mineral water and hygienic food with different cuisines will be provided.

‘see the ambience of the village and get acquainted with their food habits.’

The fat person really made a lot of sense.

My interview would have been the shortest.
“Is that what you wear for a B-school interview?”
The interviewer thundered. By his tone it seemed he had donated his most expensive suit to me and I sold it for half price and came without wearing it.
“Sorry”
Of all the meaningless ‘sorry’ in my life this would easily take the first place.

“What sorry, is that what you think is the worth of this college?”
Same tone.

‘We at this institution believe in equality for all, talent is the only criterion for us. Nothing else stands in the way.’

Ahh that bloody fat man.

“Now sit down and lets proceed”
Still same tone.

I walked away, as my eyes lit up for the second time.