Hats off to an indomitable spirit!!!

This was a blog i had written in my blog a couple of weeks back.. thought it was more appropriate on the IIMC blog!

Malli Mastan Babu has done it again! He has started on his conquest of the seven highest peaks in the world by climbing Mt. Vinson in Antartica.

The News Article

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1379989,curpg-1.cms

When I read this news, with the placement fever in the background I just realized how big a decision he had made in his life and how he had actually made “following a dream” into a reality.

What am I talking about?

Rewind 2 years, Mr. Malli was a student at IIM Calcutta. He had his graduation from IIT Kharagpur and in all probability would have been placed in a great firm with an amazing salary.

He had set up the adventure club in campus. While others would sit in their rooms or go out drinking during the evening, he used to swim in the lakes in campus. While others used to long to go back home and get cozy on ur fav couch, he longed to go to Himalayas. He used to arrange treks for other students and alumni.

In the month of Jan, 2004 Malli did the unthinkable for any IIM student, leave any IIM student; any student in this part of the world. He opted out of the placement process to start a career in mountaineering.

Ok… (takes deep breath)… I gotta repeat that. He decided not to sit for placements in IIM Calcutta because he wanted to climb mountains! The very thought of such a concept sends chills down my spine. I know how much career focused people here are. I know the peer pressure that gets into you once you get into an IIM. Such a decision from anyone would be insane to say the least!

But IIMC being what IIMC is.. approves and cultivates diversity. You think I’m crapping? Well the guy was awarded the “Dr. B.C. Roy award for best outstanding contribution to campus life” during the convocation. A large portion of his funds for traveling and climbing these mountains have been contributed by Alumni at IIMC. He has also started a professional adventure company for arranging treks for corporates. The Alumni have also helped him out a lot for this.

Malli is a cult figure in IIMC. He started the adventure club, which is one of the most active clubs in campus; but more importantly he rekindled a trend amongst the students to find their passion. I’ve met him in campus many times – he is just like one of us, mild mannered, fun loving IIMCian. However unlike many of us he had the clarity to know what he wanted in life and the guts to stick to that goal and follow it up.

Hats off to you Malli!!! Hope you conquer the next 6 peaks too… Keep the IIMC flag flying high!

You can visit Malli’s website here