PGSEM Resources -- Views of Professors/Alumni, Interviews and Admission Process

PGSEM (Post Graduate Program in Software Enterprise Management) is a two-and-a-half year part-time post-graduate General Management Program of IIM Bangalore offered at Bangalore. PGSEM is almost similar to the full-time PGP/ePGP program in content and rigour sans placements and is designed for IT professionals seeking management education even as they continue to work.

Classes are scheduled on Friday mornings and Saturdays. Participants can take quarter breaks to attend to work assignments (domestic or international) from second year onwards. PGSEM students can participate in International Student Exchange programs (it’s a common process for PGP & PGSEM Students in IIMB; i.e, students from both courses would compete for same slots)

PGSEM discussion board: This is a yahoo group where you can post your queries about PGSEM. I think this is maintained by PGSEM students.

PGSEM 2011 Admission Process Details

IIMB PGSEM MBA blog by students and alumni

Interview on PGSEM with IIMB professor Rajendra Bandi

Reflections on PGSEM vis-a-vis other MBA programs for people with work experience in India (Article by IIMB professor DVR Sheshadri)

PGSEM 2008 admission test paper (One more link)

PGSEM sample test paper by IIMB

PGSEM -- Some insight into shortlisting criteria for interview

PGSEM discussion thread at pagalguy.com

PGSEM Interview experiences of past students
1) My PGSEM 2010 Interview Experience

2) http://ajithprasadb.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-pgsem-interview-iimb.html

3) http://ashuonnet.blogspot.com/2007/04/pgsem-2007-interview.html

4) http://piyushkrsrivastava.blogspot.com/

5) http://shamitb.blogspot.com/2008/04/iimb-pgsem-faculty-interview.html

6) http://kaipathoughts.blogspot.com/2008/04/iimb-pgsem.html

7) http://supreethamave.blogspot.com/2009/04/pgsem-2009-iim-bangalore.html

Many more experiences are there in mails of PGSEM yahoogroup...

PGSEM SOP
1) http://rjha94.blogspot.com/2007/04/pgsem-i-have-worked-in-indian-software.html

Promotional videos on YouTube -- introduction to PGSEM, course contents and view of faculty and students about the program

Exam Preparation Resources
1) Practice tests at tcyonline.com
2) http://www.pagalguy.com/forum/exam-resources/
3) Old CAT Papers
4) CAT 2006 Paper
5) PGSEM sample test paper by IIMB
6) MBA Entrance Exam Papers

Gayatri Mantra

The image above is scanned from The Speaking Tree, ToI, Bangalore dated 02/05/10. Couldn't find online link to this article, so wanted to save this by scanning this.

Obligations of Government Department under RTI

RTI clearly says that government departments should constantly provide as much information to public on there own through various means of communication like print, internet etc. It actually benefits them only as then many RTI queries will be reduced. If you would have noticed, all government websites now have a RTI link where they provide information about various officers, hierarchies, salaries, duties, department budgets etc for that department.

All departments have to compulsorily have PIO -- public information officer. You file your RTI application with PIO. PIO has to compulsorily provide information in 30 days. However for issues related to life and liberty of person, its 48 hours.

All departments need to have appellate authority which has officers senior in rank to PIO. If the applicant is not satisfied with the information received from PIO, or if the applicant has not received any information at all, he can appeal to appellate authority.

Still if the applicant is not satisfied, he can file appeal with information commission. The information commission has the authority to fine PIO if it feels that PIO didn't provide the information without any reasonable cause, or didn't provide in stipulated time, or tried to destroy information etc. The fine is Rs 250/- per day till the information is provided upto a max of Rs 25000/-.

At sub-divisional level or sub-district level, there are APIO -- assistant public information officer who will take application from public and pass to PIO in 5 days.

Fees for the RTI application is Rs 10/-. BPL people don't need to pay that. If the information to provided involves photocopying etc, then Rs 2/- per copy or more depending on size of copy. If it involves inspection, then no fee for first hour and Rs 5/- for each 15 minutes. The onus is on PIO to provide information in the language asked by applicant in the application.

First day of PGSEM orientation

Today was the first day of PGSEM program orientation. I was very excited, going back to school after 10 years. It’s for 3 days and college had arranged for accommodation but I was not sure whether I will stay in hostel or come back. However I had carried luggage but kept in car on reaching IIMB. After getting the room keys, went to hostel room which reminded me that I am actually in a college hostel and not in some hotel room. Anyway, it was on top floor so opened the room windows and left for lunch in Amruth Kalsa, the name of hostel mess. By that time many people had come there and there were lot of introductions going on which might have happened again during the course of the day. Special lunch was organized for us and after having that I was looking forward to the dinner at MDC.

After finishing the lunch, we went to auditorium where some activities were planned by SAC (Student affairs committee). On reaching the audi, the first shocker came. We all were given 3 big fat books for the 3 courses in the first quarter. And the big realization finally dawned upon me that getting in doesn’t mean that degree will come as a cakewalk, probably getting in was the easiest part. Anyway SAC (seniors) gave us one information form to fill and started calling one by one to get photos clicked probably for ID card. Some were mostly uninterested; some got it clicked again after setting their hair and all. One guy again asked the photographer in the evening to click again after coming in formals. I was reading through the schedule book where the final quarter exam date was given which was clashing with the deliverable date on which I am working currently in office and SAC members were telling that first quarter GPA matters the most. I wanted to say “aal is well” but what came out was God, please help.

SAC then started presentations on various things – academics and various activities/committees and answered the various queries people had about various things. And then came the million dollar question – how can placements/better jobs be facilitated for this course. SAC told the various things they have been doing to make the industry more aware about this program. I must say SAC team really organized the orientation well, were present till late in night, considering they all are working professionals like us.

Then the actual inauguration came. Everyone was in formals. Last I was in formals during the PGSEM interview and before that I don’t remember when. Prof Pankaj Chandra, director, and Prof N Agarwal, Chairperson PGSEM were present along with Mr Harsh Manglik, chairman Nasscom, who was the chief guest. I was smiling and getting excited, not actually because of the speeches which these 3 distinguished gentlemen gave though each of them gave a truly excellent and thought provoking speech and I am looking forward to more of these in my IIMB days, I think it was the aamir khan effect of actually being a student at IIMB.

After that we went for dinner and we were told to assemble outside audi at 9 pm. All 75 students were divided into 4 groups and there were group activities planned during the 3 days, probably to give a platform to incoming students to mingle and know each other better. Most of the people reached audi late and everyone got a mild blasting from the SAC team. Anyway, the activities started with antakshri. Each team had to sing maximum songs on the given word in 45s. We came first in reverse order, which I think is because we got word “ishq” which is not hindi :) Don’t mind my excuse.

Its 11pm and now we are doing the final task for the evening - write a blog which our team has to submit by 7.45am tomorrow. And yes, I am staying back at hostel; thankfully I didn’t forget to bring bedsheet.

For those interested in Harsh Manglik's speech, read here

My PGSEM (MBA@IIMB) 2010 Interview

My interview was on 24th April at 9 am. I reached the campus at around 8.35 am. At the classroom blocks gate, there were 2 persons from IIMB who told to go to room L11 for one essay writing. L11 was a techie class -- audio system, projector, smart system like credit card swipe machine for attendance ...or maybe I am out of college for 10 years now, that's why I got too fascinated by all that :). BTW my kid's school also has projector in all classrooms. Anyway, at 9 am we were given the topic -- Issues and challenges before Human Resource Management in India. 10 minutes were given to think through it and 20 mins to write the essay.

After the essay, we were given our interview schedule. There were multiple interview panels and I was in P2. Each group had 10 candidates. It was in M23 class.

I went to M23. There were 9 guys and 1 girl. One person from admin collected xerox of mark sheets/experience letters from each one of us. The interview started at around 10 am. I was 8th in the queue. Each interview lasted for some 20-30 mins with one taking almost 40 mins. It was a long wait. My turn came at around 1.20 pm. 3 hours I was just waiting and waiting on the chair, and yes there were 2 whose was after mine. There was one conference going on in the next classroom. During there second tea break, one guy actually asked me whom I am waiting for there for so long. I told him about PGSEM interview -- he smiled and wished me luck.

Finally 1.20 pm!!

There were 2 members in the interview panel -- lets call them P1 and P2. I don't know there names,

They offered me seat. Probably it has been too long for them also taking interviews, so may be it was fun time for them :)

The interview started -- no question about introduction.

P1: This is your 4th company. Why did I do so, and at hindsight do I think it was good or bad for me?
I told the reasons why I changed -- some gyan that I wanted to go into development only. In first job after development, I landed into maintenance type work which I didn't want to do. Second company got merged with someone and was not doing well. 3rd one didn't have too many projects....and so on

P1: How do you think about software engineering as a career option, if you have to tell me to my son in 10th, what will you say?
Only job where constantly paid to study/learn, lot of things newly coming every now and then, unlearn and learn...that's why it never gets boring + its better to do MS than jump straightway into job...and so on

P2: But whats the point when you can loose jobs, no guarantee, very few jobs..
Its with all private sector. Agreed that only 5-7 lakhs are software engineers, but its a plush job and where potential is unlimited. Lot of indirect jobs are also getting created because of this. And yes, we need more sectors to open up like software -- biotech, BPOs etc

Now it was mostly P2 -- I don't know faculty or alumni, but P1 I think was faculty

In my SOP, i had put theme as entrepreneurship. Other than this, I was asked on nothing from SOP, and nothing else from anything else either.

P2: Do you have any ideas?
Yes

P2: Which ones
I told him one about retail and one in software (thanks to my office buddies. we have been discussing a lot about these for sometime now)

P2: He asked about retail -- have I done any analysis, what I would need, capital and other stuff
Somehow I managed

Then it was about my software idea

P2: You can start now itself, why need an MBA
I told that I can do, but once it scales up I will need all the skills in sales/marketing blah blah

P2 was not convinced. He was trying to portray I don't need MBA or maybe he was checking if I am myself clear about why I want to do MBA and what I want to do after MBA:)

P2: You can do MBA from Bangalore university or elsewhere. Some correspondence course, why waste time and money
Told him no correspondence course can match the learning of class, and when you want everything best for you, then why not get trained by the best college in country

P2 was still not convinced. Many times to his questions I asked him  -- I don't agree or I don't buy this.

P2: Do you have any stats on how many students have graduated
I told him I don't know about PGP, but PGSEM around 500-600

P2: There have been thousands of students altogether, but we have not heard any great stories on entrepreneurship. So again I don't need MBA

P2: In business you need selling skills, which you have as you are unconsciously trying to sell why we should take you.
I replied for a businessman these things should come consciously and blah blah

P2: Its just theory in class, how will theory help you in business.
I said PGSEM being a part time course is a great advantage. Whatever we learn in class can try to apply those concepts during workweek. Its actually 2.5 years of practical, and its upto the candidate what he wants to take from this course.

Thankfully track of interview shifted now.

P2: If you are asked to handle some project, which model you will use
I couldn't get the question -- maybe because of so much of defense which I did for why I need to do this MBA. Actually he was asking about waterfall/spiral/agile model etc

P1: If we don't take you, what will you do
May be I will apply again next year

P2: But will you continue your business
Surely I will do

P2: But will you apply again next year
Yes, I will do both things.

GOOD LUCK.

Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

More on PGSEM can be found here.

RTI -- Right to Information Act

RTI or Right to Informatiom Act is a revolutionary act which became operational on 12th October 2005 in India. Revolutionary for Indian citizens, but Sweden notified it as early as 1766. Around 70-75 countries have RTI act, good to know that still India leads in the sub-continent even though the act became operational here in 2005!! Note that 9 states -- J & K, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Assam & Goa, already had there own state acts before 2005. The Central RTI Act extends to the whole of India except J&K which has its own state act.

Whats great about RTI -- RTI empowers every citizen to ask any questions from the Government or seek any information, take copies of any government documents, inspect any government documents, inspect any government works and take samples of materials of any government work. Could you imagine this happening in India!! Its a powerful tool in the hands of common man which can help bring in era of performance and efficieny, help weed out corruption. Earlier if you would have asked any information from any government officer, he would have simply thrown you out. But now he has to mandatorily provide the information, otherwise he can be fined for not providing the information.

Two examples here:
1. Imagine your file is stuck in some government department and you dont have any clue why is it so. Just file an RTI. The officer has to compulsarily answer why/where it is stuck
2. Imagine some sub-standard work being done by some contractor in your locality. File an RTI, inspect the work and even take the sample!!

RTI covers practically every government department. However, security agencies are out of it, but there also if there is some corruption charge or human rights violation, you can get information under RTI.

All private bodies, which are owned, controlled or substantially financed by the Government are directly covered. Others are indirectly covered. That is, if a government department can access information from any private body under any other Act, the same can be accessed by the citizen under the RTI Act through that government department.

More FAQs about RTI

Will expand this post soon about Obligations of government departments under RTI and  How to File RTI

BBMP Elections: Why your vote could have made a difference

I was going through the election results in ToI and it was clear why my vote would have mattered in the elections. Though it is an another issue that I didn't vote because despite of applying twice for my name inclusion in voter list, it didn't happen. Anyway, scanning through the list shows that in one area one candidate has won by just 9 votes (Karisandra seat). Had 10 more people voted in favor of the candidate who lost, it would have changed the result. There is one more who won by 49 votes and there are few others who also won by narrow margin. So if few hundred had voted more, it could have altered the results in a big way. All I want to say that "My Vote Matters, Your Vote Matters and It surely can make a difference". So please go out and vote in the next elections -- be it state, centre or city.

About the recent BBMP Elections 2010:

Results decoded on Janaagraha Blog

Candidate Affidavits
Results
Winner's (BJP) Election Manifesto

Quick glance at results from ToI, Bangalore and you will immediately know why your vote matters!!

BMTC Bus Day tomorrow!!

Its BMTC Bus Day tomorrow. So leave your car at home and ride the comfortable AC Volvo.

All information about bus routes and timings is available at http://www.bmtctravelinfo.in/april-bus-day

Saving water -- the "common sense" way

Summers are a testing time. It tests your endurance to carry out your usual work in somewhat extreme conditions. For the work which you could do with relative ease in spring, now you shall have to put in an extra effort. And most of these extreme conditions are attributed to shortage of water.

We are almost on the verge of summer season and the effects are already showing. The local government has already issued a warning on the imminent load-shedding that it would enforce on us. Even in Bangalore, which is the Electricity Boards cash cow, there is no escaping. The underground water levels have further diminished because of its overuse and almost zero replenishment; there was very little rainfall last year. Add to that the numerous official reports on how countries like India and China are facing severe water shortages.

Although it's true that we can't do much about the rains, there is something we can do about the depleting water level. We can use our "common sense". Here is my personal list of top ways to save water using "common sense"

1) Don't take a shower for too long. That way, you will save even up to 60 liters a day!

2) Try not to leave the water running when you're brushing your teeth. You'll waste about 90 liters a week

3) Never put water down the drain when there may be another use for it such as watering a plant or garden, or cleaning.

4) Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at the rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 10,000 liters per year

5) Don't let water run while shaving or washing your face. Brush your teeth first while waiting for water to get hot, then wash or shave after filling the basin.

6) Do not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods. Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

7) Don’t use a running water to wash your car or bike; use a bucket full of water instead and you can save up to 300 liters per wash

8) Use full loads in your washing machine, or if purchasing look for economy features such as half load capability or reduced water consumption.

9) Wash dishes by hand, using one bowl for washing and one for rinsing. Bowls are filled with less water than it takes to fill the sink. You can save up to 50 liters a day

End of list but not the end of water saving ideas. Suggest your own ways to save water at kansal.gaurav@gmail.com

Try to do one thing each day that will result in saving water. Don't worry if the savings are minimal. Every drop counts. You can make a difference.

Stem Cell Banking

Stem cell banking, or umbilical cord banking, is a relatively new concept. The blood from the umbilical cord is immediately collected after the child birth. This blood is rich in stem cells, also known as master cells, have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body. Serving as a sort of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each new cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Stem cells have shown promising potential in the treatment of diseases like leukemia, diabetes, thalassemia, spinal cord injury etc. The collection process doesn't pain either the child or mother. Earlier this blood used to be discarded after delivery. Click here for more information.
There are two main companies doing stem cell banking in India -- Reliance and Lifecell. You will find lot more information about the stem cell banking on Lifecell website.
These companies store the blood for 21 year and custody is with mother. One time fees for 21 years costs around Rs. 70-75K. There are some more payment options wherein you pay around Rs. 37K for registration and processing, and then around Rs. 3500/- per year for 21 years. Check with these companies for details.
It does appear expensive but if shows even half the results as are projected now, I think its worth going for stem cell banking.
There are other sources of stem cells also like bone marrow. But bone marrow match is very difficult and expensive also. Stem cells will easily match because they are yours only.
A good article on Cord blood banking by a doctor of MaxHealthCare, New Delhi.

Click here to download brochure from Reliance.
Stem cell research blog

Reliance offices in India (+91 22 6767 8000/1800 22 3900)
Lifecell offices in India

Trip to tirupati

The word Tirupati means the Lord of Lakshmi and the word Tirumala means Abode of Lakshmi. Tiru means Lakshmi, Pati means husband or king, and Mala means hill. The ancient texts of India declare that if one wants to attain Moksha in Kalyug, then he or she has to worship Lord Venkateswara (who is also worshipped as `Balaji' by the north Indians) at Tirupati for the attainment of the same.
Lord Balaji's temple at Tirumala is the richest Hindu temple temple and most visited (after Vatican city) in the world.
Tirupati is 258 km from Bangalore (via Kolar and Chittoor). The road to Tirupati is good and you can drive. However, lot of government and private buses ply on Bangalore-Tirupati Route.
Best package trip is by AP Tourism. They charge around Rs 1100/-. It includes journey by AC Volvo, room for bathing and changing clothes in morning and darshan ticket (worth Rs 200/-). The bus departs around 7.30 in evening from Bangalore and you will be back by next evening. ITDC and KSTDC also have daily package trips to Tirupati. I can suggest 2 travel agents to book these packages:

• Deepa Travels, 48 CMH Road, Indiranagar, 2nd Stage. Ph: 25257606/22907292/9845297505
• S.S Travels, Raheja Arcade Road, Opp. Aangan Restaurant, Koramangala Ph:25526846/25526895

Better go via these government tour operators as these are very reliable and they give what they say. Private operators will also claim to return the next day, but if there is rush in tirupati it may take one day more.

Now they have Rs 300/- tickets also. Just go there, stand in the darshan queue, and get the ticket also in the queue :) So no worries about getting tickets on reaching there. There are 4 counters for this in the darshan queue itself.

By air

Air deccan (daily) and Kingfisher(Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) operate flights to Tirupati from Bangalore. Tirupati airport is around 14 kms from city.

By car

Currently the road is being expanded, so work is going on. There's not much traffic. Kamath is also on the way, and there is one Coffee day too. Woody's (of Bangalore) is there just after you cross Kolar. It is a nice South Indian restaurant. After that there are few restaurants near Chitoor including Reliance A1 plaza.
What to see: If you go via AP tourism, they will take you only to Lord Balaji's temple at Tirumala and Sri Padmavathi Temple at Tirupati. However if you go via car, there are many temples in that area which you can visit.

1. Ganesh temple at Kanipakam

Kanipakam is a Hindu temple for the god Ganesha located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh in South India. It was constructed in the llth century CE by the Chola king Kulothunga Chola I and was expanded further in 1336 by the Emperors of Vijayanagara.
A striking and strange feature of the Ganesha idol in the temple is that it is still growing in size. At present, we can see the knees and the abdomen of the idol. One ardent devotee had offered a 'Kavacham' (Armour) to the Lord, fifty years ago but today it is out of size and doesn't fit the idol.
Read more about the temple and various legends about this temple at following links:
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanipakam
b. http://www.kanipakamvinayaka.org/home.html (official website of temple)
The temple is just 10 kms before chitoor on left side when you go from Bangalore.

2. Getting tickets for Darshan at Tirupati

Try to reach tirupati early. If you want Rs 50/- darshan ticket, that is available in tirupati near bus stand. If darshan time is some hours away, you can visit Srikalahasti. The sewa tickets are available in Tirumala at the Vijaya bank counter near the temple entrance. If you go early, you can easily get tickets for next day. The temple trust also sells the sewa tickets online, but I have always seen those booked for next six months. Avoid going there on long weekends if you are driving to there by car and best are weekdays to avoid the rush.
Recently TTD has started "Sheegra Darshan". The ticket costs Rs 300/-. Just get into the line, and buy tickets on the way:). There are 4 counters to get the ticket.

3. Srikalahasti

Srikalahasti is a famous pilgrim centre and the temple here is dedicated to Lord Siva known as Vayulingam and considered as Dakshina Kasi. This is around 30 kms from Tirupati.
Read more about the temple and various legends about this temple at following links:
a. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalahasti
b. http://www.srikalahasti.org/ (official website of temple)

4. Sri Venkateswara Temple

Lord Venkateswara temple is in Tirumala (around 30 kms from Tirupati). Tirumala lies in the midst of the Seshachalam hills which are 2,000 feet above the sea level.
Click here to read various legends about the temple.
All the faclities in Tirumala including accomodation etc are managed by temple trust. Temple trust, TTD (Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams), maintain the following website which will give you all sort of information:
http://www.tirumala.org/maintemple_about.htm
There are many temples nearby which you can visit. Click here for more information
TTD runs free buses inside Tirumala. Amazingly you will find the place always clean when lot of devotees visit it daily.

5. Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple at Tirupati

The temple of Sri Padmavathi Devi, the consort of Lord Sri Venkateswara is situated in Tirupati. It is said that a visit to Tirumala is fruitful only after visiting the Sri Padmavathi Devi temple. Click here to read more about the temple and various legends about this temple.