Posts tagged ‘Jaycees’
Convocation 2008 – the full story
April 30 was a red letter day for Great Lakes. The Jaycees [Class of 2008] and their EMBA friends graduated with top honors in the presence of Uncle Bala. This is the first time both the PGPM and the EMBA students are graduating together. Mr. N Ram, Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu and Mr. Ramalinga Raju , Founder and Chairman , Satyam Computer Services Ltd graced the occasion with their presence and addressed the students. The day also saw the inauguration of the Champions (Class of 2009).
Uncle Bala in his witty and energetic welcome speech paid glowing tributes to the guests on the dais. He also took the opportunity to formally welcome star personalities like Prof T.N Seshan , Dr. Nirmal Gupta, Prof. Narendra Rao, Dr. Rakesh Singh and Dr. Taruna Gupta who have agreed to guide Great Lakers in their quest for knowledge. He expressed confidence that the next convocation will be held in the sprawling new platinum rated campus being built along the scenic ECR.
Mr. Ram in his speech exhorted the business ready managers of Great Lakes to work together to improve the not so impressive Human Development Index of our country. Commenting that China and India are crucial to the stability of the regional economy, Mr. Ram stressed the need for inclusive growth to maintain the current growth momentum. Being a political editor, he commented that Great Lakes is just as old as the present UPA government and in a lighter vein said he would stop the comparison there. He attributed the stellar success of Great Lakes to the clarity in vision and purpose, good curriculum, staff members, efficient admission policy, good infrastructure, linkages with industry and knowledge sector, and involvement of students and faculty. Mr. Ram singled out the Mandarin language (taught here as part of the curriculum) for specific praise.
Delivering the valedictory address, Mr. Ramalinga Raju spoke of the need for students to not just become good managers but also able leaders. Cautioning against complacency, Mr. Raju urged the graduating students to leverage knowledge and technology to fully exploit the tremendous opportunity awaiting them. He opined that such an approach is imperative to be successful in today’s dynamic business scenario.
The eagerly awaited moment unfolded soon after the speech by the guests. Watched by proud parents, bright young men and women walked up to the podium for their moment of glory. The students were in for a pleasant surprise as uncle Bala and a faculty who does not want to be named announced surprise scholarship awards for select students. Vedajna V from the EMBA class of 2008 walked away with top honors. He was in the dean’s list for terms 1,2,3 and 4 and was awarded the Magna-Cum-Laude. His Jaycee counterpart B Bharat was equally impressive. Bharat , in addition to being the overall topper was on the dean’s list for two terms. He was the best student in HR and Strategy and was appreciated for his contribution to the Admission committee. He was also among the recipients of uncle Bala’s surprise scholarship.
A sumptuous lunch followed the certificate distribution and the Jaycees got busy right away – thanks to Sangamitra scheduled for the evening.The event received wide coverage in the media. Some of the reports:
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080505004416&Title=Chennai&rLink=0
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/01/stories/2008050157310500.htm
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/01/stories/2008050151941000.htm
http://www.indiainfoline.com/Bschool/innernews.asp?storyId=66779&lmn=13&val=1
http://www.mbauniverse.com/innerPage.php?id=ne&pageId=1169
http://www.coolavenues.com/bschools/080512/glakes-convocation-1.php
Farewell Party for Jaycees at Flame
Fresh from a two day outbound at the scenic Green Coconuts Resort, I was high on the newly formed friendships and hung over on the fun we had there as a team. Everyone I knew was desperately looking forward to test their newly learned salsa skills on the dance floor. The opportunity came to us in the form of the Farewell Party.
The Champions (Class of 2009) bid adieu to the Jaycees (Class of 2008 ) in style at the Flame Le Club, La Royal Meridian. We made sure that the outgoing class had one last wild night of partying they would cherish forever.
The college buzzed with activity on the day of the party. Students collecting their invitations, the events group rehearsing their acts and all of us just wanting to fast forward to the evening. Everyone rushed home after the last lecture to change into their party clothes.
The venue was one of the most happening nightclubs in Chennai, Flame Le Club, or so I had heard. As soon as we entered the club I knew we are in for a great evening. The shiny disco balls made me dizzy, the music was entrancing, the bar well stocked with drinks and snacks but I decided to put everything on hold and headed towards the pool table. I shot pool with Champions and Jaycees and lost all the matches, which was no surprise since I was totally out of practice. Giving up, I headed to meet the other Great Lakers who were pouring in as the time for the events to begin closed in. There was a huge crowd near the stage area but I found a convenient place atop a table to watch the on-goings.
Sijo and group set the flavor of the night by singing and playing along to Papa Kahte hain and Sutta Na Mila. This was followed by two rocking dance performances and Jaycees and Champions alike were pulled in to the dance frenzy. Nostalgia was invoked by a video depicting different stages of Jaycees’ one year journey through the PGPM.
After a couple of rounds of complimentary drinks and snacks, everyone was set to hit the dance floor. With the DJ churning the best of latest dance hits, the atmosphere was electric. The Great Lakers put on their dancing shoes and set the dance floor on fire.
What followed on the dance floor could best be described by the pictures given below.
Not even the sumptuous dinner could pull people away from the dance floor and the partying continued well into the night.
~ Prakash
