So, it was our last class at the computer lab. I don't know about the majority but in my opinion these ICT sessions were absolutely fabulous and utterly quintessential. Not that I didn't know any of the basic stuff which was taught but for the simple fact that every public servant should be made aware of all such ICT tools so that he/she can carry the work efficiently. In the age of e-Governance and m-governance, computer basics is like a little cog in the big machine. Nonetheless, a very crucial cog. And this time spent in labs was made even more special by the lovely faculties who had so much patience for our silly musings and twisted doubts.
As the instructor started the last session, he asked to the class, in his cute little English, "Am I audiable to the class?". Yes Sir, pretty much audible, only grammatically inaudible. As the class was underway, those already proficient in computer knowledge started playing the Dino-jumping game which the Chrome browser offers to the folks devoid of internet. That cute little game reminds me of Mario and the amusing fact that how such simple games are able to grab our attention for so long. Any way, talking of games, the computer lab had also become the virtual shooting range for the OTs. Everyday after the end of business, a battle was fought between the cops and terrorists. Counter Strike had resurrected from the ashes of college times. Okay, coming back to the point, once ample time had passed, the instructor in the lab would innocently ask us about our assignments "Have you done everybody?". And then we all had to try hard to keep our laughter to inaudible levels. Freakishly funny, how much of a difference an absent comma can make.
But then, an overwhelming majority would agree to the fact that these were the only classroom sessions which we looked forward to, where we didn't indulge in the sin of slumber and we would not mind more. And then there were the regular classroom sessions with more or less the same syllabus which we had studied while preparing for Civils. Be it the quarter group, half group or full group, they were all equally sedative. And it doesn't matter if you had had a good sleep in the night or not. Five minutes into the lecture and your eyes start to give up. One yawn after the other. You try to hide that embarrassing opening with your hands. After a while, you get fed up of doing that camouflage and thus the speaker gets his feedback then and there. Some find a good posture to sleep which won't be that insulting. And some brave souls, let themselves go completely off the hook. Head backwards from the top of the seat, they slide down their seats. And then there are those, who even snore. Nothing less than red and white bravery awards, for such melodious audacity.
Not that all were cliched, we have listened to some excellent lectures and inspiring speeches. But the numbers are minute. Talks by Ramachandra Guha, K. Vijay Kumar, Jayant Sinha and others have been extremely thought provoking. But then there were others where we couldn't join the dots. I am sure many would remember that decibel disaster from a top management institute where the phrase "my ears bled" actually came true. I am sure many would remember that theoretical class on Yoga when clearly somethings are better understood in practice. I am sure many would remember the Australian episode where we desperately needed subtitles to understand even a word. I am sure many would remember that psycho session with no PPT which was responsible for 230 people failing in Management. And I hope you remember the adventurism of listening to a free market economist which pushed us literally to an existential crisis.
Talking of subjects, how can I not mention Public Administration. I don't understand why everyone is after this still evolving subject. As if the distasteful defamation of the subject by UPSC was not enough, the subject has been suffering here as well. Here at the academy, you can clearly classify topics into Law, Management, Political Concepts. And whatever remains from that and whatever cannot be rightly classified into anything else, all is dumped in the umbrella discipline of Public Administration. In a way, this has become the God of academics. What why, जिसका कोई नहीं होता, उसका Pub Ad होता है !
Jokes apart, I simply admire the in-house faculty here at LBS NAA. To me, and perhaps to many more, they are far better than the guest lecturers from across the country and beyond. Be it the breathless prepositions of Law, be it the dynamic display of Economics or be it the subtle nuances of administration, hats off to you guys. In case you are wondering if I really meant the above mentioned, the answer is yes, it has to be, it is more than three lines! At last, the classes are coming to an end. We have learnt several valuable things. We also have had perhaps the best naps ever. Best of both worlds, I would say. Let's hope the wisdom passed on helps us to survive in this VUCA world. And for the benefit of those who were sleeping in that class, VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous!
In the lectures to come during the professional training, I wish you luck. Hope you get the last row!
As the instructor started the last session, he asked to the class, in his cute little English, "Am I audiable to the class?". Yes Sir, pretty much audible, only grammatically inaudible. As the class was underway, those already proficient in computer knowledge started playing the Dino-jumping game which the Chrome browser offers to the folks devoid of internet. That cute little game reminds me of Mario and the amusing fact that how such simple games are able to grab our attention for so long. Any way, talking of games, the computer lab had also become the virtual shooting range for the OTs. Everyday after the end of business, a battle was fought between the cops and terrorists. Counter Strike had resurrected from the ashes of college times. Okay, coming back to the point, once ample time had passed, the instructor in the lab would innocently ask us about our assignments "Have you done everybody?". And then we all had to try hard to keep our laughter to inaudible levels. Freakishly funny, how much of a difference an absent comma can make.
But then, an overwhelming majority would agree to the fact that these were the only classroom sessions which we looked forward to, where we didn't indulge in the sin of slumber and we would not mind more. And then there were the regular classroom sessions with more or less the same syllabus which we had studied while preparing for Civils. Be it the quarter group, half group or full group, they were all equally sedative. And it doesn't matter if you had had a good sleep in the night or not. Five minutes into the lecture and your eyes start to give up. One yawn after the other. You try to hide that embarrassing opening with your hands. After a while, you get fed up of doing that camouflage and thus the speaker gets his feedback then and there. Some find a good posture to sleep which won't be that insulting. And some brave souls, let themselves go completely off the hook. Head backwards from the top of the seat, they slide down their seats. And then there are those, who even snore. Nothing less than red and white bravery awards, for such melodious audacity.
Not that all were cliched, we have listened to some excellent lectures and inspiring speeches. But the numbers are minute. Talks by Ramachandra Guha, K. Vijay Kumar, Jayant Sinha and others have been extremely thought provoking. But then there were others where we couldn't join the dots. I am sure many would remember that decibel disaster from a top management institute where the phrase "my ears bled" actually came true. I am sure many would remember that theoretical class on Yoga when clearly somethings are better understood in practice. I am sure many would remember the Australian episode where we desperately needed subtitles to understand even a word. I am sure many would remember that psycho session with no PPT which was responsible for 230 people failing in Management. And I hope you remember the adventurism of listening to a free market economist which pushed us literally to an existential crisis.
Talking of subjects, how can I not mention Public Administration. I don't understand why everyone is after this still evolving subject. As if the distasteful defamation of the subject by UPSC was not enough, the subject has been suffering here as well. Here at the academy, you can clearly classify topics into Law, Management, Political Concepts. And whatever remains from that and whatever cannot be rightly classified into anything else, all is dumped in the umbrella discipline of Public Administration. In a way, this has become the God of academics. What why, जिसका कोई नहीं होता, उसका Pub Ad होता है !
Jokes apart, I simply admire the in-house faculty here at LBS NAA. To me, and perhaps to many more, they are far better than the guest lecturers from across the country and beyond. Be it the breathless prepositions of Law, be it the dynamic display of Economics or be it the subtle nuances of administration, hats off to you guys. In case you are wondering if I really meant the above mentioned, the answer is yes, it has to be, it is more than three lines! At last, the classes are coming to an end. We have learnt several valuable things. We also have had perhaps the best naps ever. Best of both worlds, I would say. Let's hope the wisdom passed on helps us to survive in this VUCA world. And for the benefit of those who were sleeping in that class, VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous!
In the lectures to come during the professional training, I wish you luck. Hope you get the last row!
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