Friday, 21 June 2013

New lessons in a new Manner...


Time changes... Life changes...

I experienced the same on reaching the campus of NITIE on 13th of this month.

The green lush campus, NITIE sarovar and the 96 stairs from hostel to academic block welcomed me.

 After working for more than 2 years in corporate world it was a great feeling to be back to college.

New college, new people, new professors with their own ways of teaching. Very true for Dr. T. Prasad, a person with a dynamic personality and his unique ways of teaching.

It was time for the lecture of  Principles of Organization & Management  & it started with our professor, Dr. T. Prasad (popularly known as Dr. Mandi) settling himself onto the floor.

A situation which landed us all in a confusion...
There came a  sotto voce asking us to be seated on the floor or chairs as we wish.

Whole class grabbed the opportunity and soon a MBA class got converted to a 'GURUKUL'

 Dr. Mandi, is popular by this name because of his association with an event of NITIE called 'Mandi' where NITIEans take to the streets of Mumbai.
 
'Mandi' is done with various purpose. Firstly to give practical scenarios to the classroom concepts of Marketing, Principles of Management, and Business Economics. Secondly to add new dimension in the lives of children deprived of education.

 It is done with the help of toys which is based on the concept of 'study while you play'. The entire amount collected is donated to the NGO Navnirmiti which provides the event with toys (for sale) in the first place.



Stress Ball with Map
Dr. Mandi uses this concept not only at the  time of event but also in his lectures. During his first lecture with us, he showed us a small rubber ball with globe on it and explained how we can market this product as it is a very small globe which would cost nominal. Also the children can use it to play.
He has ample such examples to teach concepts of management in a practical manner. He also used  Newton’s Cradle.
Newton's Cradle




He believes in 'aaj ka khana aaj hi kamao' (i.e. One should earn one's todays' bread today only). He motivated the class to try to atleast earn Rs.25 when we are spending  Rs.2500 per day for being here.
He has his own peculiar way of talking in which he calls business as 'dhanda' and believes a manager should think what he has gained from what he has already spent. He also believes that one should do this but in an ethical manner.

In short the lecture educated us about 'Mandi' and few concepts of management in a very interactive manner.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Very nicely written Navanshee....The Mandi concept seems very unique and fruitful...Keep up the good work

Anurag Pandey said...

Nice to hear that you have started learning core MBA concepts a.k.a dhanda.. from the very first day. Best of luck. :)

Yogesh said...

Nice start!! all the best.