Days worth living again!!

Empower-ed!!

There was already a buzz in the college about the outbound camp in Kolad. For some it was a 4 day off from studies, for some it was an adventure thing. Well, I have certain different perspective on these 4 days. Had already heard that these are “THE” best days in SITM. So wanted the best out of these 4 days.

It all began with some shopping for the 4 days stay from medical aid to track pants. Lectures were appearing to be boring and I just wanted to get the hell out of the daily schedule of these lectures. I am addicted to mobile. Yeah, the bloody truth may be all youngsters face today. From WHATSAPP to searching a restaurant on ZOMATO all are busy with their mobile phones. Hardly any time to stand and stare at what the heck is going on around us!! We are so busy in our-selves that we don’t even know our neighbours name. What kind of society we are building. May be a society filled with robots working day-night and running behind the green currency (US). Read it somewhere that we owe a lot to the society but who now-a-days bothers about it. It is not us or we, but I, me, mine is the only concept sold.

Kolad camp was like a diversion to the above discussion. During the six months at SITM I almost recognised all the batch-mates but I really understood a few of them at Kolad. We worked together in achieving targets during the different games played there. A unique bonding developed between us. For people whom I just recognised by their name a few days ago, I was cheering for them at Kolad. Never had I thought I would interact with so and so person, but at Kolad I did. Well things were getting pretty nicer as I recollect the days now.

We were made to get up early in the morning at 5!!!! Ahh!! Difficult it was. Now I realise it was not a holiday program organised for the SITM students, but the long lost values which were getting implemented. In childhood, when Mom used to wake me up in the morning for school, it had become a habit. A good habit!! In due course of time may be I forgot the values imparted upon me. The morning-prayer, the jog was indeed an essential reminder.

Today, I am working as a management-intern in a start-up company in Bangalore. Working with limited resources and finding out ways to utilise them in the most optimised way to achieve the vision is the core of working in any start –up. Building and managing teams were some of the key learning’s along with fun; I gained at the Empower Camp. It’s not just the professional way to work together. Greater success can be achieved by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the team members.

I still remember, there was a task called “vertical rope” which we performed at Kolad. Some 20ft high rope we had climb with bare hands. Listening to it, one might think it’s an easy job! But trust me, it’s not. As you climb high you begin to realise every cell of your body. Pulling those millions of cells up is not an easy task. But surely not an impossible one as well. And I tell you I completed it just on the basis of will power. The sheer desire of completing the task was helping me pull upwards. Today while working in this start-up I am facing challenges at every step. But I recollect the day when I had accomplished the task of vertical rope. If I could do it that day, I can do it even today! The game of nerves can only be won with passion. That day was surely an eye-opener for me. I realised that there are no limits to the extent to which one can push oneself. We ourselves impose them and become a cry –baby!!

There was one more task, I distinctly remember, in which we had to climb some 8ft high wall. There were no stairs, no support. Absolutely nothing! Well, to add to the challenge, it was a team event. There were also girls in our team. And most of my team members were also quite healthy guys. So jumping, clinging and then pulling up was not possible for most of them. I tried it once and without any support I could climb it as well. May be my athletic built finally came to use!!! That was the only strength our team had then. So finally it was decided that I will climb the last after pushing the other team mates up the wall. But while performing the task I realised I am getting drained out in helping other team members climb the wall. I started doubting myself, if in the end; would it be possible for me to climb again without any support?  And so did it happen as well. I was facing difficulty at the end. But yes it were my team members who pulled me up as they realised that I was completely drained out. It was then that I realised of what is called TEAM-EFFORT!!

The 4 days at Kolad have surely left an impact on my life. Some long lost values were reviewed. Determination to achieve something was tested. I hope such motivations keep on coming. Just as we need to bathe every day, we need motivation also every day!