Today was the last day of L.A.U.N.C.H. and it started with an unforgettable experience.
Edurne Pasaban - first woman to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders in the world was with us to share not just the stories of mountains and valleys she conquered, but also the ups and downs of her own life.
[https://www.facebook.com/EdurnePasabanLizarribar]
"Without Passion, you are not really following your dream". She talked about mountains, about her teams, her friends, about personal sacrifices she has made to continue with her dream of climbing and about her plans for the future.
Just listening to the problems she faced during her expeditions, about the two toes she lost to her passion, about her spirit which regenerated itself, despite all hardships and troubles she has been through, filled us with so much motivation and so much inspiration. She taught us what team work is, and what commitment means, by narrating her own experiences.
These past few days, we were allowed to sit anywhere we want to in the classroom and I have always chosen the aisle seat in the center of first row. In fact, it was becoming obvious to more and more people during last 2 weeks that I always tend to take the same seat.
But tell you what, No matter what people say or think about this, after today, I will be glad FOREVER that I chose to do so.
Edurne shared her story by sitting on a high chair in front of us. Sitting in that classroom for almost 2 hours, only two feet away from a living legend, I could feel the positive vibe that filled in the air and the inspirational cosmic energy that radiated from one of the most amazing personalities I have ever met.
"This is your K2", She did a magic on all of us, and inspired us, and she did it with humility and affection.
There is a saying in India that a blind man asks for one eye and god gives him two. I also got much more than expected when I asked her if I can have a picture with her. She not only posed with me for the picture, but later also greeted me with the customary peck-on-the-cheek.
After NRN Murthy, this is one person, I would never forget meeting with.
Next up was the Diversity in action session. Blame it on the fact that half the crowd could not listen to what the speaker was saying, or that after having such an awesome session in the morning, our expectations were raised - this session amid all the noise from people talking in the back did not really impress me.
But that didn't mean we did not experience "Diversity in Action" today. In many sessions during past two weeks, we did Action Learning - Learning by experiencing and many a times, the speakers told us that we have a rather greater role (than the professors themselves) to play in our learning process by ensuring participation.
Well, our LAUNCH group CURIE arranged a wrap-up cocktail this evening. Idea was broadcast yesterday by Ben and around half the population showed up tonight. We then had the usual beer and meet-greet session, and got to know each other even better. At around 11:30, when we decided to wrap up, half of those who showed up had already left. Of the remaining, again some more chose to go home or have pizza, and the remainder after all these subtractions [10 people], decided to go have a proper dinner.
Michael suggested an Ethiopian place which was around 10 minutes walk. I liked the food - its very spicy and comes in platters which is kept in the center and everyone digs in with their hands.
So, here's the deal. None of us was Ethiopian. More than half of us were having the Ethiopian food for the first time. We were sitting [or atleast I was sitting] around people whom I knew, but never had even a coffee with before. And then, we all ate the food together, with our hands in the same platter, and we all digged it!! It was amazing !!
As we came out of the restaurant, owner of the place and his Spanish friend were standing there. And guess what this old friend asks us, "where are you from?".
Michael replied "We are all studying MBA at IE, and I am from USA, he is from Hungary, she is from Panama, both of them are from India, she is from Nigeria, he is from Brazil" [Not to forget, there was also someone from UK who left just a few minutes ago].
I believe the guy was impressed. And wasn't that positive impression due to our 'diversity in action'?
Edurne Pasaban - first woman to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders in the world was with us to share not just the stories of mountains and valleys she conquered, but also the ups and downs of her own life.
[https://www.facebook.com/EdurnePasabanLizarribar]
"Without Passion, you are not really following your dream". She talked about mountains, about her teams, her friends, about personal sacrifices she has made to continue with her dream of climbing and about her plans for the future.
Just listening to the problems she faced during her expeditions, about the two toes she lost to her passion, about her spirit which regenerated itself, despite all hardships and troubles she has been through, filled us with so much motivation and so much inspiration. She taught us what team work is, and what commitment means, by narrating her own experiences.
These past few days, we were allowed to sit anywhere we want to in the classroom and I have always chosen the aisle seat in the center of first row. In fact, it was becoming obvious to more and more people during last 2 weeks that I always tend to take the same seat.
But tell you what, No matter what people say or think about this, after today, I will be glad FOREVER that I chose to do so.
Edurne shared her story by sitting on a high chair in front of us. Sitting in that classroom for almost 2 hours, only two feet away from a living legend, I could feel the positive vibe that filled in the air and the inspirational cosmic energy that radiated from one of the most amazing personalities I have ever met.
"This is your K2", She did a magic on all of us, and inspired us, and she did it with humility and affection.
There is a saying in India that a blind man asks for one eye and god gives him two. I also got much more than expected when I asked her if I can have a picture with her. She not only posed with me for the picture, but later also greeted me with the customary peck-on-the-cheek.
After NRN Murthy, this is one person, I would never forget meeting with.
Next up was the Diversity in action session. Blame it on the fact that half the crowd could not listen to what the speaker was saying, or that after having such an awesome session in the morning, our expectations were raised - this session amid all the noise from people talking in the back did not really impress me.
But that didn't mean we did not experience "Diversity in Action" today. In many sessions during past two weeks, we did Action Learning - Learning by experiencing and many a times, the speakers told us that we have a rather greater role (than the professors themselves) to play in our learning process by ensuring participation.
Well, our LAUNCH group CURIE arranged a wrap-up cocktail this evening. Idea was broadcast yesterday by Ben and around half the population showed up tonight. We then had the usual beer and meet-greet session, and got to know each other even better. At around 11:30, when we decided to wrap up, half of those who showed up had already left. Of the remaining, again some more chose to go home or have pizza, and the remainder after all these subtractions [10 people], decided to go have a proper dinner.
Michael suggested an Ethiopian place which was around 10 minutes walk. I liked the food - its very spicy and comes in platters which is kept in the center and everyone digs in with their hands.
So, here's the deal. None of us was Ethiopian. More than half of us were having the Ethiopian food for the first time. We were sitting [or atleast I was sitting] around people whom I knew, but never had even a coffee with before. And then, we all ate the food together, with our hands in the same platter, and we all digged it!! It was amazing !!
As we came out of the restaurant, owner of the place and his Spanish friend were standing there. And guess what this old friend asks us, "where are you from?".
Michael replied "We are all studying MBA at IE, and I am from USA, he is from Hungary, she is from Panama, both of them are from India, she is from Nigeria, he is from Brazil" [Not to forget, there was also someone from UK who left just a few minutes ago].
I believe the guy was impressed. And wasn't that positive impression due to our 'diversity in action'?
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