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The classroom transformed into lecture halls that placements that truly defined the Millennium batch.
felt oddly like wells—for frogs to leap into, perhaps. That’s the story everyone remembers—rightfully so.
Yet, the drawn curtains somehow added energy The Institute, over the years, seems to have shrunk
to lectures and discussions. There was something in visible presence, yet it has thrived in spirit. I
flowing beneath the routine. wondered—has a second location been developed
The computer lab was always packed during in Sinhagad or Lonavala, in parallel with Pune? Or
submission deadlines. Newer, better computers is that just wishful thinking on my part? I’m not as
gradually took over, and I was amazed recently closely connected these days—perhaps someone
by Pragya Ma’am’s updated computer centre for can satisfy that curiosity.
students—and the occasional researcher too. IMDR’s connect remained personal too. Meetings
The convocation featuring Ela Bhatt stays vivid in over the years, the occasional work request, a
memory—her silver hair radiant, like embroidery contact shared—all reminders of a community built
added to the orderliness around her. Marketing carefully over time. My own journey, mostly as a
competencies stood out that year, overtaking homemaker, translated into a limited contribution,
Finance, while Operations and HR–IR–OS truly admittedly. But life isn’t that short—I hope to keep
shone. Systems had quietly absorbed a notable five adding to the Institute’s story.
from the CS crowd. Many of us had already shifted I recall connecting during community coordinator
to General Management by Semester 2 and could, training, the Principal’s process lab at Thinksoft
with some detachment, watch the chaos unfold in Consultants in Hyderabad, and later in Sri Aurobindo
Year 2. School, New Delhi. It was deeply engaging. IMDR
Project data collection was arguably the most also reached out through Astha at Prakriya School in
immersive part—through it, we discovered Pune in Bangalore—another meaningful connection.
its full complexity. That’s what made the MBA worth NLP training with Wakalkar Sir was something I
the salt (and pepper). Hostel life—poorly numbered nearly dived into—still pending. Shri Atul Sapte,
rooms, spontaneous birthday celebrations, and Mr Sandeep Apte, and especially Dr Ashutosh
social nights—fed directly into classroom creativity. Bhupatkar—these mentors have been constant
On some great days, our best presentations came out sources of inspiration. Their drive and engagement
of those moments. Nobody disputed that. define IMDR’s spirit. Dr Giribala Dewasthale and
Shopping near FC Road, grabbing handouts, or Pradnya Ma’am’s unwavering presence at the
tidbits—these little traditions stayed with us long Institute still makes one wonder—does time really
after we left campus. Even now, running into old pass?
acquaintances brings a quiet joy. Yes, the HR Conclave in Mumbai—our HR group
Of course, the weave of our batch was uneven— participated back then. It’s grown even more
interests clashed, ambitions collided. Small relevant now. I’m not surprised by the increasing
conflicts, silent rivalries—people trying to stand out. interconnection of once-disconnected worlds,
And yet, there was no real ‘coupling’—just shifting though it does seem dramatic at times.
perspectives in the weeks that followed. I withdrew The new computer centre, the changed vibe on
quietly, attention uninvited. But that didn’t change campus—these are signs of forward movement.
much. Perhaps all that happened was an exchange Congratulations to all involved. And through it
of a few best practices and some unfinished all, IMDR has kept a consistent current—one tied,
conversations. perhaps, to an unrelenting commitment to peace and
The composition of that time was a strict, often typical constructive action
one—too little time, too much said. Guest lectures, And so, until next time—this message, too, belongs
student competitions, and leftover enthusiasm from to that category of returns: a kind of homecoming.
earlier colleges all coloured those uncertain years. Looking forward to the better world that is yet to be
But in the end, it was the ingenuity in coordinating
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