Mungagan

Dear Coursemates:

 

The journey began in November of 2007. In fact probably in September or October. I saw the admission notice in the newspaper and told it to my wife. Now, you do not go tell everything to your wife. If something catches a wife's imagination you know how persistent they can become!! She herself dropped the application to IBA. The admission test did not happen on time because of political turmoil and all. Then on a fine morning, I received a fine phone call from EMBA office telling me that tomorrow there is the admission test and I should show up!! Great!! I was planning to buy one of those guide books from Nilkhet and they tell you the exam is tomorrow!! Anyway after the full drama of written and oral tests my wife again dragged me to IBA to check the result and showed me that my admit number was there on the notice board. I congratulated her!! She had won!! She was happy!! I too was not exactly unhappy.

 

Then comes the moment when you have to produce your original certificates in front of one Mahjabeen. I only had HSC marksheet, SSC marksheet and testimonial and nothing of my BUET papers and obviously no experience certificates (I had a few appointment letters though). Mahjabeen fainted. I fainted seeing her faint. My wife did not faint. She ran around all over the town including Ramna Thana (to file general diary for lost HSC certificate) , advertisement in newspaper etc. etc. In fact in one of those Tour de Dhaka, Jakir Bhai met us at BUET.

 

The class began!!

 

One Mahjabeen taught us communications. My memory is not sharp so I do not remember exactly, but there apparently is an inspiring story about Iqbal Bhai's reaction to his midterm score. I still do not know my midterm score. I got a B. I do clearly remember the semester final when Zibran played his part. We learnt a lot of "Kaajer Bua" and "Driver" management from Nurur Rahman.

 

One Saiful Majid taught us Microeconomics. "Bujhte Perechen To?" One GMC taught us "Marketing". I have no comment on this one. One Momen drove the entire class nuts through is sincere drive to teach us accounting. The whole class fell in line to somehow master the art and science of direct labor and factory overhead. So much so was the impact that Titard became a household name.

 

One forgetable Shiblee taught us HR. I remember shouting across the entire classroom during mid term to Jaya for an answer. She shouted back the answer. Now Jakir Bhai was sitting behind me. He was also in need of that answer but failed to get the answer correctly. He whispered to me, "Saidur, Arekbar Jiggesh koren." I asked again. Again Jaya shouted back. Jakir Bhai said, "Eibaar Bujhchi". MZM taught operations. While giving away mid term scripts, MZM shouted, "Somebody even got half". Probabaly it was Mahfuz Bhai.

 

IMC was a great course. Some stunning projects were prepared by 2nd batch teams. Mahfuz Bhai drove the Cricket campaign (stunning story book by Faisal Bhai). Anam Bhai, Avijeet Da, Mehdi Bhai drove the restaurant project. It was exactly on that day, I realized I am surrounded by some fiercely competitive, talented, hungry and professional people. We caught MZM completely offguard in the supply chain management. Rafiq Bhai, a seasoned SCM professional became upset with the course. Lutfor Bhai and I was very happy. Lutfor Bhai, the seasoned operator said, "Sir jehetu jaane na, course will be easy." Course actually was not difficult. MZM survived from the scathe of Rafiq Bhai. We learnt many business analysis model in Services Marketing course as opposed to marketing of services. I think nobody told Ferhat Anwar that it was services marketing course.

Professor Mannan taught us Chanokyo, Jaibatsu and Keiretsu. Lutfur Bhai shared many of his conspiracy theories in this course. Anam Bhai joined in with his knowledge of history. Chupa Rustom arrived on the scene with Nurur Rahman's Buyer Behavior. That is Mehdi Bhai. Satisfying Nurur Rahman is no child play and Mehdi Bhai did excellent. And we all became exposed to seminar style professional course. Hats off to Nurur Rahman. What to say about international marketing? The scores were great!!

 

Dear Friends,

 

This is my first mail to this group. I usually do not write to anybody but friends. I now have approximately two dozens of great friends. They say, after certain age one does not acquire friends, one acquire acquaintances. I disagree. Otherwise I would not have written this mail.

 

Thank you for the friendship,

 

Saidur Rahman

Going back to school…for an extraordinary MBA (EMBA)

 

Honorable Chief Guest the Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka Professor A A M S Arefin Siddique, respected special guest, the Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman, Director of IBA Professor Muhammad Ziaulhaq Mamun, faculty members, family members, parents, fellow classmates,

 

Today is a great day because this is the day you add a shiny feather in your cap of success. You are now graduating from IBA and I am proud and happy to be a part of you.

 

We, the EMBA students, are the youngest addition to the IBA fleet but I suppose the most matured ones. After spending a few years in pursuit of a corporate career, you may already be half way into success. Then you thought; you need to re-sharpen your skill, refresh your knowledge, un-learn the old and relearn the new. So, you decided to go back to school and after rigorous screening somehow you managed to get admitted in the best and the most cherished academy. The institution with the best branded faculty, the best reputation and the most envied among others. It is like dream come true; because it’s IBA.

 

But you all know that the path was not easy either. Because you are no longer a kid but father of the kids and somewhere you are the guardian of the family. Yet, I remember those days…In weekdays…Rush hours at evening…Somehow closing the laptop screen at half shutdown…By passing the boss…Heading the heavy traffic…Somehow you managed to get in the class at 6:05, five minutes late and you try to find enough excuse of busy office meetings. You listen your favorite teacher roaring, “You may be boss over there…not here, you are a student…be on time.” But that’s how you learn prioritizing and rebalancing the work and study.

 

Let’s look back what we are taking home from IBA, what we actually learnt and what really matters. It’s not only the bookish theory of management or marketing and intricate number crunching of finance rather it’s the relationship we built with our enriched faculty and with our matured learning mates. This EMBA at IBA broadened our network horizon and understanding of the real business world.

 

Truly speaking, when you enter in a sector, you may know ins and outs of it and you may be expert on that. But I am sure, you can not afford enough time in your busy executive hours to look out of window and see what is happening in other sectors which may have effects on the future business ambience and the way you do your business.

 

Here in EMBA, we got such a platform…when in one evening you are tired of attending the lecture on management…pretty familiar to you as a student from business background but you are patient enough to care about others from engineering or army and they find enough interest in that. Next morning, maybe a Friday morning…you all have a surprise to meet a renowned top executive from the leading FMCG, bank or a telecom company as your guest lecturer. And you share his success stories and contemporary business issues.

 

And in the afternoon, you have a series of presentations from real executives of different business houses being your classmates with live facts and figures while your class teachers sit back in the same row with you. Here, in IBA, we exactly learnt how to have productive clashes of ideas which germinate the new ideas but differentiated from the clashes of people. I am sure by this way you create new knowledge and the learning takes place in two ways. And that’s why I call it extraordinary MBA not only executive MBA.

 

Few days back at IBA, I was flipping through the IBA Alumni Association guide; I was not surprised to see the faces of most of the CEOs of leading companies, high level officials of government and non government organizations. And IBA is that unparallel powerhouse producing CEOs of the country. Or even if it is the other way round, that the CEO materials are coming to IBA. Whatever the case, it is because IBA is the best, the big brand you are now carrying with you. And when you are from the best institution you can not bear coming second. You are the best not because you score the best or people applaud you the most… you are the best because you believe inside you are the best.

 

Not to be very complacent so far, being the best among the others, we know that the competition is very high. Apart from the IBA faculty, responsibility lies on us as the brand ambassadors, to carry the IBA flag and uphold it atop by demonstrating our acumen in own area of performance; be it business or otherwise. I know for sure, today’s IBA graduates are the future CEOs of the country.

 

Today, now we are having our graduation ceremony celebrated and having the dreamy gown worn and receiving our certificates. So, the IBA life is over for us. But to remind you again… it’s not the ending… it’s just the beginning. The knowledge, the insights and the maturity, we are carrying will keep our path of journey enlightened for the rest of the life.

 

I love you IBA… I love you my teachers… and I greatly love you my matured classmates.

 

Md. Rofiqul Alam

Valedictorian

17.10.2009

Just came back from visiting a housing project at Purbachol. Hopefully I will be buying a land there. To go to the project, Balu river is to be crossed. I just came back and am still in the dress that I wore there and opened my computer to write this post while drinking a cup of tea … just couldn’t wait. For two miles I slid by the banks of a grand river concealed in the destructive path of humans. Past the mudflats and grasses, you cannot tell where the river begins and ends. It may be as well arc over me in a tremendous suspended wave, I wouldn’t know the difference. Sparrows wove the air in a thousand grandmotherly knots all over the sky. They are so fast and fleet in their flight they could have flown right through me, and again, I wouldn’t have noticed. Bulbuli’s laid out jazz from atop flowering trees. And then suddenly, I saw a Kingfisher (I never thought I would see one in Dhaka, but then again, it was not Dhaka in that sense) emerged from the water like a god returning from a long slumber, fish in it's beak. The river's breath blew a scent into my senses that may well have been the first scent; primordial, primal, mud and wavelets teeming with single celled life, mud born from the dissolution of plants, fish, and mystery. Essential. The river slipped past as boats hung suspended in a silver cloud, and birds toyed with the bounds of worlds.

 

While coming back I attended a marriage ceremony, a relative of one of the persons who went with me. He said, the marriage was so hastily arranged as they have decided only two days ago, hence the program would be brief. As I went there, I felt it was time to focus on the scant hours remaining to prepare for the brief ritual designed to entrust hearts to one another, and to commit a community to support. First I thought, why Saturday, then I thought all days are special, yet for these two this will mark the beginning of a new way to relate. Though I don’t know them, haven’t seen them in my life before ever, and doubt whether I ever will again, but still, I am happy for them. Their life will be full of love and discontentment. But in those battles of the opposite forces I am sure they will find the eternal happiness that two souls only find in each other. One day, one will die before another, but the living one’s love and humor are ever present in the memory. Today, I attended a ceremony of two committed people sealing their vows before their families. This is precious and poignant. Each day is a possibility, each possibility is infinite. Goodluck and as the Christians say Godspeed, lovers, and flow on, great river.

When I told my mom that Barak Obama got the noble peace prize, the first question she asked me is, “for what?” I shrugged. I told her CNN will show his reaction speech. As I sat infront of the TV to see it, she asked at interval couple of times, when? I said "about any minute now."

 

I can not think of how we, the civilized world is/are facing this conflagration saying "well, we can do nothing about it," and "well, they probably had it coming to them," and "God will sort it out." I see the hue and cry in US, Eurpoe, to bring their boys back, the heroes, praying for their safe return, but what about the 3 million+ children in Baghdad? What about the elderly women in Iraqi markets, heads wrapped humbly, watching the skies and praying that they can make it home before the city catches fire? The eager Marines, stationed in Iraq and Afganistan, fingers itching for battle cannot be held individually accountable for the upcoming razing of a people; yet upon each one of them is transmitted the power to judge by bullet and might. How many Iraqis, far separated from the regime that governs them, will be guilty merely by being at the wrong place at the wrong time? How many children won't survive the night? How many dreams will find Allah by climbing an oily wisp of battle smoke?

 

Will those who claim to represent America and Europe sleep easy at night, dreaming of apple pie and mother, undisturbed by the screams as innocent people trembling in whatever dark corner they can find as America falls around them in a laser-guided telemetry of violence?

 

By God, my God, I only pray that we wake up from this silent acceptance of this greedy war. It in the American history that they embark on a war without precedent, a war designed to prevent rather than forestall. The old guts and glory paradigm is being raised up on flagpoles, while the world quietly dashed away true diplomacy and true democracy. If it is the West that is somehow endowed with more democracy than anyone else isn't that what they should be giving to the Middle East? Bombs are not democratic. Slinging the most massive bombardment of artillery in untold years on a city the size of Los Angeles is not generous... it does not foster liberty, but like the abuser in the family, simply perpetuates the same violence that has gone on for far too long.

 

Is it in our inherent genome that we find a sadistic pleasure in shedding blood and destruction? Why do we always forget that, the only way to stop violence of any kind is to stop violence?

 

We all know the analogy of the butterfly blissing in flight in China will bring a tornado to Texas. If we flutter our hearts in the direction of not only Baghdad and Kabul, but Washington, and to all people who live under the threat of unjust governments and outcomes they would not dare to wish upon anyone, for any reason. We may not be able to prevent this perverse nightmare of those weak and undaring people who are ruling in the name of Constitution, protection, democracy and freedom and clouded the glass of worldview, but we can place our hopes and intentions in a sacred place where their doctrines and missives cannot go. There is a line that they cannot cross, no matter their munitions or their wielding of bloodstained laws; and that line is the covenant I make with the Source of all Love, with the Creator, the Holy, the One that makes things to live and be as bold and as beautiful as their dreams. That line, no matter how slender and tenuous, is a vein that connects all things... my life to Iraqi and Afghan life, a dandelion to a grey seal, me to you.

 

Whether you believe in God/Goddess/Goodness or not, if you feel love at all to anything at all, that is your sensation alone, and share it where you like, you can choose to say that none can enter it, that don't respect it. What is happening, now, every minute, does not respect that feeling in any way. I disown what is happening. I will not let it in and keep me from what I hold as sacred.

 

I am writing this post in desperated hope ... in the hope that this little post may find some light shining through it, even now, as the world sits tensely through a fearsome time. There is nothing better that I can offer right now, that light is my wings flapping towards a better wind that could blow in the place of the breath we've harvested to make war.

 

I will teach my children to be a good person, not a doctor, not an engineer or a barrister or banker, but a good person, with good heart. I’ll not instill competition, or hatred in them, nor jealousy. I’ll teach them to trust people, to help people without any intention of getting reward, to do whatever they can if someone comes for help, not to lie or break promises, not to cheat, to believe in the inherent goodness of people. And on God’s promise that, nothing we do goes unrewarded.

 

Maybe history will say that love prevailed, after all.

There is rain on the roof
Rivers ran down the thin glass
That keeps here from there.
Touching the window,
Tracing the storied waters
Something like catching stars in a net

I want words here
Words to trickle in stellar trails of truth
Words to rain down on my mute wishes
Of these stormclouds to speak for me
For the rain to cry for me
For my door to be opened

I want the linguists of the soul
To name my unspoken troubles
Which thoughtlessly tremble my hands
Which know every cell I am.
I wish to succumb to the flooding
Of some holy lexicography

I wish for the roads of my body turn to ice,
For my creeks to rise, and overtake the bounds
Of my understanding
And to go downstream,
Toward some invincible sea … some inexplicable sky

I wish I were named something like this rain
Which makes September music tonight.
I could patter on your roof
Roll down your window
Even your finger
And at last
Be given
Wholly
To the
Earth.

Amra bedhechi kasher guccho, amra gethechi shefalimala -

Nobin dhaner monjuri diye shajiye enechi dala

Esho go sharon lokkhi, tomar shuvro megher rothe,

Esho nirmol nilpothe.

 

... writing hastingly while speeding in to Dhaka by Bus from Benapole Border. Coming from Kolkata. Janala diye chokh rekhe baire takiye thaki. Majhe majhe sunil akash, majhe majhe shada megher veshe thaka. Abar majhe majhe kalo megher dol bedhe guraghuri kora, aar tip tip brishti. Dhankheter upor roudro-chayar lukochuri khela. Shoroter kotha vablei amar nil akashe tulor moto megher chobi veshe uthe. Shada kasher dol. Sheuli-surovi shokal. Othoba, Jhir jhire batash. Shobuj dhankhet. Kokhono ekposhola brishti. Muhurtei abar meghmukto akash. Odvut shundor ek abeshe haraye jay mon. ... ...

 

 

 

 

Hi to anyone who is reading. I’m so sorry for my constant absences. I appreciate your coming back to check up on me, a lot. I want to write, but nothing seems to come out these days. The truth is I am not doing very well, and I don’t know how to turn this around. Not suicidal or anything like that, just… really, really lost. Alone almost all the time now, and I’m not good at being alone like this … or probably I am … I am not sure … A new job is what I am anticipating but the change is not what I expected and … anyway. By the way, I'm going on a training on Credit Management, a training I have been looking for some time now. This would be my third time in BIBM this year, probably a record

 

I often find myself making my way along the road among the huge trees between my home and the university, dragging my feet and wanting to just sit out there watching the leaves and birds, completely loathe to set foot on the campus. The city I live in is “miserable”, if that is the right word. Though I have a new very good friend at the school, but you know how it is with people you don’t know well; you can’t share stuff like this. I’m trying to remain “positive” as people say, but it’s hard to know exactly what that means. If it means keeping a smile on my face for other people so they don’t feel uncomfortable, I’m great at that. If it means finding cheer and meaning in things that you find hard to see any positive points in, then I’m very confused and probably not the best company. All I know is that I want to get my life back in balance, to enjoy things again, to have rich time for myself, and to share time with someone I care about. I want to write regularly here again without always sounding as if it is the end of the world. And to be back in touch with all of you. And be able to look and see photos again. It’s all unsteady right now.

I am right now facing one of the toughest things on earth - making a decision. I pride myself as a man with a nerve of steel. But, recently ... I am feeling shaky. I never had to make one as SERIOUS as this in my life. I admit my life is was and is not smooth, but I always lived straight forward and easy as you go and when it was not so ... then always someone either my parents or siblings or friends or wellwishers did the needful. But this situation is unique and never had I thought that I would be, feel so much nervous and lost. ... ... Miracles dont always happen, do they? Life isn't always about what you want ... and you cant possibly make life the way you want it to be. But, I strongly feel one thing. Living a happy life ... that depends on what you wish for others. I believe we all have a curse; whatever you wish for others will always happen to you too. and what you wish for yourself, others will get twice of the same. To live a happy life you should always think good for others and care about everyone. Its not easy... but who said anything in life is easy? Too many questions, very few confusing answers. Lots of people to give advice, but no one I have faith on. Too many people I am fond of and too many people whom I can hurt. I have made a decision, scaredly hoping it is right, also at the same time feel  doubt creeping in once in a while ... ... what if it is not the right one ???

Last night I stepped out onto the street in the whisper of the rain and heard, … is it the singing of the drops??? - their voices clearly invigorated by their long absence - about how amazing it was to be out here in the dark of the larger world once again. I felt a deep delight in their songs, recounting once more the ever-astonishing adventure from the turbulent sea, though they didn’t remember a thing about that; yet they had all traveled to gather here once more and sing the ancient tales to one another in untiring spirit, just as their forerains had done all the way back to the beginning of everything there ever was and ever would be, as it has long been told. They sang on even as I was later falling asleep and lost track of the lyrics. No doubt they went on all night and exhausted themselves. But there's no keeping that kind of spirit down; as this morning I woke to the familiar voice of that steady tenor the sky singing, long thin streams of water falling in the calm, filling the air and misting the hours with all the perfumes the sea has spent the night concoct...

 

I will again go out there tonight to hear the epic tales they never tire of.

Day twelve update: The Irish-Chinese entry Green Dragon is holding a lead late in week two of the Volvo Ocean Race's first leg. The fleet have now passed through the light airs of The Doldrums and have latched onto the south-east trade winds, which should make for an interesting drag race.

 

As predicted, the fastest passage through The Doldrums came to the western side, and Ericsson 4, and Puma, along with Green Dragon were the teams to benefit the most from this. Late on day 12 Puma was in second place with Ericsson 4 in third and then back to Telefonica Black.

 

The first leg of the race is 6,500 nautical miles, and depending on conditions is expected to take around 23 days for the lead boats. While heading south is the ultimate goal, most competitors usually make a move west across the Atlantic towards the coast of Brazil, before returning in an easterly direction to Cape Town. The crews are still to work through the light air of the Horse Latitudes and St Helena High, and hoping for some breeze about the cape to make their final push for the finish line.

The Irish-Chinese entry Green Dragon has charged into a lead early in week two of the Volvo Ocean Race's first leg.

Off the pace: Race favorite Ericsson 4 is sitting one place from last in the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race. The lead had been shared around over the past few days with race favorite Ericsson 4, Puma, Green Dragon and Telefonica Black among those volleying for the front position. However, westward moves by Ericsson 4 and Puma have proved costly to their place in the standings. After leading until mid-way through day nine, Puma has slipped to sixth place. Meanwhile, the highly-fancied Ericsson 4, skippered by Torben Grael, is languishing just one place from the back of the field.

Ericsson 3 and Team Russia are in second and third places respectively, close to the tail of leader Green Dragon. I believe Team Russia performed superbly, as they had a penalty and started last.

Perhaps the story of the leg so far, however, is Telefonica Blue, which currently sits in fourth place despite serious problems early in the leg which saw them make a 12 hour stop in Gibraltar and lose 200 miles on the rest of the fleet.

With the fleet now approaching The Doldrums those in the most westerly positions may regain ground on the field, as, boats further towards the American continent generally make the best progress through the area, which is notoriously short of wind. This could leave the eastern-sitting teams Ericsson 3, Delta Lloyd, Telefonica Blue and Team Russia in trouble should winds strengthen to the west.

To get a live update of all the latest developments in the race, and see regular positional updates visit the official Volvo Ocean Race tracker.

The first leg of the race is 6,500 nautical miles, and depending on conditions is expected to take around 23 days for the lead boats. While heading south is the ultimate goal, most competitors usually make a move west across the Atlantic towards the coast of Brazil, before returning in an easterly direction to Cape Town. The crews are still to cross the Doldrums on the leg, before also working through the light air of the Horse Latitudes and St Helena High, and hoping for some breeze about the cape to make their final push for the finish line.

Goddddd, I love this sport. I'm talking about Mainsail. Eight top of the notch sailing machines left Alicante, Spain, on Saturday 11th. heading towards Cape Town, South Africa. Even though the Atlantic is large body of water, the leader boat is 146 nautical miles ahead of the last boat as I write this post. Team Puma is the USA entry and is leading the pack, closely followed by the Ericsson's boats. Once again, the world is the race course and crews, designers, boat builders and sailmakers have been pushed to their limits. This time the VOR 70's are crewed by 11 members; it seems a lot of people, but think that a J/24 carries 5 crew members and sometimes is hands full, so this guys are being pushed to the limit and are not only pursuing finishing the race or even win it; there are records that are still waiting to be broken. There are still more than 5,000 miles to go before approaching Cape Town. Keep an eye on the 8 in the blue.