I can still remember the day of my SNAP exam. We had made a plan to travel to a small hill station near Bhutan and our bus was scheduled to leave at 6 pm and the SNAP exam would get over by 2.30-3 PM. So with my rucksack packed I appeared for the exam and eventually the journey of MBA to one of the best b-school of the country and the best in the city SIBM, Pune had started which seems a kind of déjà vu with hill station, serenity etc in common.

I arrived at Pune airport and took the Lavale campus bus from SB road and as soon as the bus crossed the place called “Pashan”, the scenery started to get changed like some old John Denver country songs until I reached at the top of the hill where the wonderful looking hostels, from which one can have magnificent views, are situated. The next thing I come across is the stunning football field situated just in front of the boy’s hostel with all the adequate facilities like floodlights, washrooms, goal posts, cricket pitch etc. And then there are Gym, Badminton court, Pool table, Basket ball court, swimming pool with all the possible facilities around.

Then suddenly it’s the start of some Induction programme from very next day and you become friends with all the unknown people from different places, different cultures and different backgrounds from all over the places. Someone from Bahrin, some lovely people from Afganisthan and of course from all parts of India. There are also some people from law background, someone from mass media, someone from fashion industry and a lot of engineers all around in one basket. First time, I got the true feeling of the Motto of Symbiosis International University- “”Vasudhaiva Kutumbakkam” or “World is one Family”. It’s more like the famous song “Imagine” by John Lenon.

Especially for a true nature lover this place is absolutely a paradise. When the sun is set, with the bird’s eye view of Pune city, I take a stroll from our Main gate to SIT campus in between the drizzle with Bob Dylan with his “Knock Knock Knockin on Heaven’s door” in the earphone. I discover how nature has become a master music composer-The sound of my footsteps like “drums”, breathing like “saxophone”, the sound of wind playing like “sarod”, some singing bird’s tune like “flute” playing around everywhere.

If I try to summarize my short experience in SIBM, I will definitely share these lines from Bryan Adams:-

Here I am – this is me
There’s nowhere else on earth I’d rather be
Here I am – it’s just me and you
And tonight we make our dreams come true

It’s a new world – it’s a new start
It’s alive with the beating of young hearts
It’s a new day – it’s a new plan
I’ve been waiting for you
Here I am.

Rishav Mandal First Year MBA student @ SIBM, Pune