LBS Diaries Part 25 - Exams and Goodbyes

There are mixed responses to the timeline of the Foundation Course. Some feel they have no idea about how these four months have galloped away. Some say they were counting days and are glad to get rid of the damning cold Mussoorie has been putting upon us. One thing certain, that the former outnumber the later by leaps and bounds. So now came the time to write our Final Exams. The much dreaded affair especially for the victims of the first Management Mid term. This brings out an important aspect to the table, yes, there were "two" mid term exams. That's outrageous people, mid term can be only one right, in the middle of the term. And if you still insist on making this a high school with so many exams, at least be technically right by not calling it so.

Anyways, we are Probationers and given the Rule 12 of Probation Rule, we don't have much say in things happening around. So unwillingly we slogged for the finals in the last weekend of the Foundation Course where people rather wanted free time to go out with friends one last time and rightly so. First things first, on behalf of the entire batch I propose a vote of thanks to all those who prepared short notes and circulated on various social media forums so that the uninitiated could do the needful. Especially Ran Vijay, it is perhaps because of you that many OTs would pass and would not have to come here again saving a lot of government revenue in the form of their TA/DA. Great job man!

And there we were with Public Administration paper as the first strike. Now the name here is terribly misleading and they literally put everything under the Sun under the garb of this holy subject. And then it was coupled with Law. The previous night to the exam became so taxing for some that they thought of consulting the Old Monk. But we all know, he only helps in Philosophy. Anyways the papers of both the subjects were having ample choices and as post-modernist administrative thinkers discuss, public choice theory is good for all. Holds true in exams as well. But then came the Economics paper with a dubious claim that this was the easiest paper in ages. On this, I can say with 99% confidence interval that previous batches would have been all pass outs of DSE/LSE if that was to be true. And I double dare you to to a Z test on my null Hypothesis!

Apart from the difficulty levels, the Economics paper had put people in dilemma. Those writing their exam in Nehru Auditorium were finding it difficult to chose the question which was on the pros of market economy. History can be amusing at times. Nevertheless, it was all over soon and the even more difficult part was here. The time of goodbyes. It has been a wonderful Foundation Course. Getting to meet so many diverse personalities from across the band of services all at once is one rare opportunity. And this idea of bringing people from all services together is very crucial as later on when we go in the field, the pace at which things move will depend upon how your equations with people in other services are. After all, each and every service plays a crucial role in the developmental discourse of the nation. And for that synergy to exist, FC has certainly played a key role.

And what to say of this batch. This bunch of Three Fifty Three is certainly multi-faceted as the faculty phrased it. You name the event and there would be participation. Be it a lazy Sunday or a party Friday. This batch has great sporting talents, wonderful actors, melodious singers, energetic dances and what not. You name the skill and we will show you the SWAG. Sometimes, I wonder how a bunch of UPSC passouts can be so talented in all these aspects. Hat's off to you guys. No kidding. Lastly, I wish everyone Good Luck in all their endeavors. It has been a pleasure knowing so many of you. And it is a pity that we only had three months. I am sure that our paths would cross again and again. Lets hope the warmth of the bonds remains for always. Lets hope that we look out for each other in the testing times that are to come. Lets hope that we all succeed in giving back something to the nation. On this note,  I would like to share with you all, the words that came to me on the day of our result. Click here to read.

I would like to end by quoting the most powerful lines I have ever come across. It gives me immense strength when the times are not right. "Life is like a boxing match. Defeat is declared not when you fall, but when you refuse to stand again".

P.S. This is the last post of 90th Foundation Course. But the show must go on. And so would the posts.