The joy on my mother's face...

I gave GATE examination in February 2010. I got 95.1 percentile. Only 4 students from our college qualified eventually.

Department of E&TC had organized a national level technical event ‘Texcellence 2010’. It was decided that the GATE qualifiers would be felicitated at the inauguration ceremony at the hands of the chief guest. The event was scheduled on 25th March, 2010. Event in charge was Abhishek Kumar. He was our volunteer when we had organized the event ‘Aqua Robotics’. Being the event in charge at that time, I got to observe the work of every volunteer during that period. He had worked day and night to make that event a success. We became great friends during that period. He gave me formal invitation card and also told me to bring my parents at the ceremony.

On 25th March, 2010 I came to the college along with my mother. We were greeted by our Head of the Department, Prof V.V.Shete. Prof S.Somani and Praf Mrs Gundewar were also there. I introduced my mother to all of them. Mrs. Gundewar is my internal guide for project. HOD requested my mother to have a seat and feel comfortable. She was taken to the conference hall where our principal Dr. S.N. Kaul and the chief guest Dr. Milind Acharya were already present. Our principal congratulated my mother that her son had achieved this. He emphasized that I should take up any opportunity that I get. The chief guest also congratulated and gave some words of wisdom. She was offered breakfast and good care was taken.

The inaugural ceremony began by lighting of lamp. After some boring speeches by our principal and HOD, came the big surprise. Abhishek Kumar said, “Today we have with us a very special person. She is the mother of Mr. Nikhil Shelke. Our college is really privileged with the presence of Mrs. Sujata Shelke. I would request Nikhil Shelke to please accompany his mother towards the dais. “

This came as a big surprise and my mother was really speechless. She was felicitated by the chief guest and given naral(coconut) and a flower. A shawl was put on her and lots of photographs were taken. During this entire process, I heard HOD tell Abhishek Kumar to mention that I had won the first prize at Technobot 2010 as well. Abhishek being my good friend not only mentioned that, but went on to tell that Nikhil also actively takes part in all the events and manages events. He has been part of Firodiya and Purushottam for last three years. In spite off all these activities his academics has never suffered. He has maintained his distinction throughout.

Finally after all the felicitation, Mr. Milind Acharya said a few words. His speech was very nice. He gave us some of the most valuable things that we can do.

My mother was over whelmed with joy and pride. All the teachers in our department congratulated my mother. Mrs. Deepa Nath was my class teacher in third year. She always gives my example to her students when it comes to balancing between academics and extra activities. She spoke with my mother for almost half an hour. Our relative Mr. Thorat was also present. He also congratulated my mother.

After the ceremony, we were going home. As we were walking towards toward my bike, she was telling me all the things that happened. Everything. How she was greeted by HOD, principal, what did all the teachers tell her and all the small things. I saw tears in her eyes with joy and pride. She hugged me as we came near the bike and said ‘thank you’. She said because of you I could see this day in my life. Tears also filled my eyes.

What is our purpose in life? Really, is earning money the only aim of our life? This moment that came in my life on that day where I gave the happiest day for my mother is much more that millions of dollars of money. It is priceless. It may seem that I am speaking nonsense. What a mad person I am. But for me, these moments are priceless.

I really feel proud because I took all the efforts, I achieved whatever small I could achieve. I got prize money, my career will get a good shape and I will achieve stability in my life. But now I feel that because of all my efforts, I got to give this day in my mothers’ life.

We keep cursing our HOD. But I will always remain indebted to him to have given me this day in my life. I will never forget this moment that came in my life.

Technobot 2010....

Our project is titled ‘Assistive device for visually impaired’. My project partner Darshan Shah is part of Robocon team for MITCOE. DD-MAE had organized Technobot i.e. project competition in the Balewadi premises where Robocon was to be organized.

Being students of MITCOE, our group name was forwarded without asking us for this competition. Only the obstacle detector was perfectly working in our project. We were completely unprepared.

On 6th March 2010, on the day when the finals and the semi finals of Robocon were to be held, we were busy preparing the presentation for the Technobot competition. Initially we were highly disappointed that we will miss the Robocon finals. But as people started coming, we saw some amazing projects.

The attraction for the competition was the robot designed and manufactured by students of BITS, Pilani students. It was a dancing robot and the movements it made throughout the song were simply amazing.

The competition was e-inaugurated by Prof. V.D.Karad. 3 judges were supposed to visit each group. Our group was CA-05. First judge was Head of department, Mechanical Engineering, COEP. He really liked our project and praised our efforts. He even went ahead and told us to file patent for our idea.

The second judge was from an embedded system company. He was interested in any working model that we had. He liked the working obstacle detector. The final judge was a pilot and he had a lot of doubts regarding the working of our project. His remarks demoralized us and we lost all the hopes of winning the competition.

Luckily, the third judge came just before lunch and we had done with our presentation just before lunch. We enjoyed the lunch and wrapped our project. As my project partner was in charge of Robocon, he had the keys to the room provided. Thus, we went to the room and rested till 4pm. We were absolutely sure that we will not win any prize.

At 4pm, we went to the hall and sat in the audience. Prof V.D.Karad along with the chief guest had arrived to conclude the competition. After long boring speeches by every dignitary on the dais, finally the prize distribution ceremony commenced.

The prizes for the C/A were being announced. 3rd prize went to project from MAE itself. 2nd prize went to VJTI college students. At this point we had absolutely no hope. We thought we might had some chance to win 3rd or 2nd prize. But even that went to some other students.

Finally the anchor announced. “And the first prize goes to……CA5…..Assistive device for visually impaired…Nikhil Shelke, Darshan Shah and Balaji Shinde”.

We were amazed and in utter shock. How did we win? With lot of joy, excitement and enthusiasm, we went on the dais and received the trophy at the hands of prof V.D.Karad. We humbly touched their feet for blessings. And literally our emotions overflowed in the back side of the stage when we were returning. We hugged each other and kept dancing.

We received cash prize of Rs. 9000, a trophy and certificates. This moment will remain in our life forever. When we took up this project, we faced a lot of problems. Initially, convincing the head of the department. Later, doing research work for blind.

Finally, it feels very nice that our efforts bore fruit.

Placements....

                 It was 12^th December, 2009. Placements had resumed. Infosys technologies were in our campus for recruitment. BE 1^st semester exam was over on 9^th December. We were extremely tired after studying for close to a month. But at the same time we were all the more excited about campus recruitments.

                Almost 250 students had assembled in the A1 placement hall in MIT. Students from MIT,MAE, MITCOE, MCA, MCM were present. At 9 am sharp, one of the HR people of Infosys gave the presentation. After the presentation, we gave the aptitude test. It was for 1 hour. Questions were simple. But time was not sufficient. But that’s the main punch of any aptitude test.  One must solve as many questions as fast as possible.

                After lunch at around 2pm, results were declared. 70 students were shortlisted. At the very end, my name was called. We were expecting a bigger number of shortlisted candidates. My turn for interview came at 7pm in the evening. Some of the questions were: 1. Describe yourself 2.Why infosys 3. Any volunteering experience, describe it. 4. Strengths and weaknesses, etc

                4 companies Infosys, Accenture, Cognizant and TCS were coming on common platform. So, we had filled forms for all the four companies. We had gone through the website of these companies and these are the top IT companies in India. I personally had never believed that I would get placed in an IT company as my strength is in the electronics and telecommunication field. But these companies also had software projects in our field. We were as desperate to have a job in hand as the people from IT dept.

                After my interview I was told to assemble in the placement hall. Some of the students were again called in for 2^nd round of interviews. Rumors started spreading that they are calling students for second interview to reject them or select them. Some people said only those students are going to be selected. Some said their package will be different, etc. I believed my interview went well and hoped for the best. Only a few selected students were called in to sign a form which contained our details. This was an indirect declaration that we are placed. Again rumors started spreading. At the end we decided not to believe any rumor and ask our placement coordinator. Sir said do not believe in any rumor. The company has a deal with college that they won’t declare the result until 17^th December. Hence, we could not take things for granted.

We got a break on Sunday. On Monday, Accenture had come for campus recruitment. This proved to be the most challenging and learning experience. As usual aptitude was in the morning after the presentation. But, Accenture finalized almost 190 students from approximately 400 students. Group discussion round was next. We were given topic of current Telangana issue where Mr. Reddy had gone on hunger strike for the division of states. It went well. Nearly 100 students were rejected. After this came the technical interview. The recruiter was from my school and asked me what are my future plans. She asked me about some of the teachers I remembered. The technical questions were restricted only to some basics of programming and logical analysis. But mostly it was a chit chat. Finally the HR interview was taken by the same person who took our GD. After a quick round of questions again a  hint was given in the form of form filling. But similar to the previous day, we could not have taken things for granted.

The next day Cognizant was coming for recruitment. I was severely ill. But my absence for recruitment process would have meant I cannot sit for next 3 companies. So, I gave the test. But I didn’t even look at the last section. I just marked all As. As there was sectional cut off, I never expected to get through the aptitude. So, I was happy that I can go home and rest. But unfortunately, 240 students were selected and I was also selected. To add salt to my wounds, my interview was placed in between. The timing given was 5pm. Thus, I couldn’t go home. Just when I was about to go in for the interview, the interviewer left. My interview was rescheduled at the end. I had to wait for 4 more hours until finally my interview had happened. I was very unwell and the HR person realized this. He wrapped up the interview quickly. I never expected that I would get placed in Cognizant.

For Tata Consultancy Services recruitment, I was feeling little better. The aptitude test was very tough. But I got through. Again I cleared the technical interview and in the HR interview, they told me that TCS has a service bond for 2 years. Interview went well. Finally at around 4pm on 16^th December I felt relieved. All the interviews were over. We were eagerly awaiting for the results which were to be declared the next day. I could not sleep at all that night.

And the result day arrived. I expected my placement in Infosys and Accenture. But I never expected Cognizant. I got placed in all the four companies. And then the dilemma started. Which company to select? The previous day I had considered the probability of getting placed in two companies. So, I had enquired about all the companies. Some said join Accenture, some said don’t go for TCS, and some were against Cognizant. At the end of the day, I selected Infosys for two reasons. First of all their early joining and secondly the training given by Infosys is the best in the world.

I will never forget this week as it was the most tiring and all the more exciting week. It really feels great when your sincere efforts in academics and extra curricular activities are recognized and you get what you deserve.

Indiastudychannel - My latest world

I joined Indiastudychannel website a few moths back and today, I can proudly tell the following so far.

Total money earned: Rs. 3877
Money transferred to my bank account: Rs.3000
Money earned through adsense: Rs.9000

Achievements:
Editor in Indiastudychannel
Editor in Mumbaispider

Awards:
1. Wizard of Ask Expert - May
2. Wizard of Forum - June
3. Best participant in GD Foreign Institutes in India
4. Winner in GD Using Army to tackle Naxalism
5. Winner of Keyword based resource contest - Education Loan in India