Hmmmm, IIM Ahmedabad, all eyes must get lit up. This is the name none can afford to ignore now. I am not going to write a review today about IIM history, study or student etc. So anyone expecting this topics may stop here only.
I am just going to share a wonderful experience of myself with IIM Students. So without wasting time, let me start....
Today is 29 Jan 2005, Sunday, after the tiresome week; finally we decided to go to IIM Chaos 2006 – Moksha program. It was Indian Ocean, Shivmani, sitar player Niladri Kumar’s show today. The schedule time was after 19.00 but we had to left our home at 17.30 as our pass was lying at a friend’s place. After collecting that we reached IIM at 18.30. After parking our car, when we reached Entry Gate, we found a long long queue for entering into the arena. I walked for 30 Sec - 60 sec - 90 sec - 150 sec - 200 sec but there was no end to that queue. But suddenly I found my office colleague and her sister, we talked with the, for a minute and stayed there in the line as suggested by them. None other person had opposed our illegitimate entry in queue. We were standing approximately 400 meters far from entry gate but it took almost 40 minutes to reach the gate. After passed through 3 security checking, we finally reached at event place, Louis Kahn Plaza (LKP), One of the best places I have seen. It beautiful!!
We have witnessed some wonderful performance by Indian Ocean. As I have to meet one of my friends, we leave by 20.25. On our way out, we have seen a subway to new IIM A Campus. Its 132 feet long tunnel which has some memorable photos of IIM A and its history. Then we reached at exit gate and started a walk towards our car. I saw two row of car parking. 2nd row just behind 1st with no space for 1st row. I was feared and praying that there shall not be any car behind my car as my car was in first row. But I found an Opel Corsa behind my car. Damm sh*t !!! I was furious. The car number was HF 8193. I can’t forget that in my life. I was annoyed as I always hate people without civic sense. Same happened with me. I always use the words - ’’parent inherent money to buy a car, Government provides a license to allow driving. But who will provide driving and parking sense ?’’ A person’s stupidity had started my harassment.
Normal rule is 2nd row person shall park and handover keys to security. If not possible, He shall park a car in neutral gear. But who cars about some common sense principals? I had a word with the security person. He was too arrogant and without knowledge. He argued for a minute so I walked towards to gate to meet some official. No point in talking with him. I reached at gate and tried to search officials. I found 2 persons, Goel and Gawa - sorry for avoiding salutation like Mr. and being informal. I tried to talk to one of them; I explained problem and he listen quietly. He was also furious after hearing that. He has given golden words - it is not fault of security person, it’s our fault as we don’t have any civic sense. I feel he got angrier because he was having heavy rushed of people who were trying to get into the arena at same time I had added one more problem into his list. This problem was totally unexpected and unthinkable. He told me to wait for some time and He had word with someone other. After few minutes he walked at me and told me that it is not possible for him to help me as in mid of the show he will not be able to announce anything. I got angry and started arguing. He replied that they had clear instructions, parking at owner’s risk. I explained that this is instruction for any damages and not for any arrangements. They are responsible for false arrangements. He shown is inability to resolve the problem.
20 minutes and no resolution to problem. Then I got angry and Gawa came into picture. I talked to him in a real angry manner. He also got angry a bit. We had some heated arguments but result was null. I asked his name to lodge a complaint and he had given his name. They again Goel comes into picture. He told that he can give me money to my place as my car is blocked, that made me more angry as it was not a matter of few rupees. We had a commitment we need to meet another friend. Again we were having some heated arguments. We parted for time being but it was with some real firecrackers. When I am thinking about this now I feel I was angry because -
1) Stupidity of that car driver
2) Worst answers of security personnel
3) I had given a suggestion to show a visual, vocal message for that stupid or put number on a board and make someone move in arena for 5 minutes, but they rejected all my suggestion.
4) Inability of IIM person to resolve my problem - as I was not expecting IIM student to behave like this and show his inability to resolve problem.
I am feeling that I was right in getting angry but it was more than what was required. Lets continue with incidence...
We walked down to our car. Stood there for some time and found that there was no music sound coming from IIM. I thought its break now, perfect time for announcement. As I was having some heated arguments with Gawa and Goel, I chosen to be at my car only. My wife went at entry place and had word with them. They had made an announcement. I feel it was better if they would have shown car number on the 2 screens given there. My experience says that only vocal announcement is not effective. It has to be with visual effect. As expected none had turned up. Simply, we can’t expect some stupid to listen to important announcement. We waited for some more time and then taken seats in the car waiting for that car owner. But in few minutes time, I found some 8-10 people coming near my car. Many were dressed up in similar fashion. For a second I felt they are Army man and their car is also blocked by some other stupid. But to my wife had words here came those IIM students. I went out of my car and found that they are making an arrangement for my car. IIM student had come up with an innovative plan; it was not surprising for me. As I expect some innovative things from them always. They brought 6-8 security people to lift one side of car and move it towards other side to make a way for my car. I also joined the effort. We moved 2 different cars 3 times and then I got a way out. Thanks God after 90 painful minutes I was relived!!
They finished their job and started to walk towards their gate, I got a chance to talk to Gawa near my car. I had shown my thanks to him. I told him that he and his team had done a wonderful work. I explained that, if someone other would have given an answer like him then I might not be having any anger but I was not expecting a helpless answer IIM A student. He was happy and we too. At the same time, Goel saw both of us talking, he shouted at Gawa - still he has any problem, I replied “NO” but I think he had not listen that. I know IIM student so I was very much sure that Gawa wouldn’t have passed my message to Goel so on my drive back, I stopped at the gate and walked towards Goel. I had words with him and expressed my thanks.
Though I am a CA-CS, but I am a hard core customer service guy as I had worked in retail industry for long time. I believe in carrot and stick approach. That’s how my complaint letter is now turned into appreciation letter. This letter will be send to IIM in short time.