A few days ago, I was invited by Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode to moderate a panel discussion called ‘Brainstorm‘ at their annual technology summit, AIMS 2007. When the invitation came in, I nearly turned it down. It clashed directly with BarCampBangalore, an event that’s cemented on my calendar.
Then I took one look at the list of speakers and that half titled my decision. The other decision that fully turned me in favor was the fact that I could still catch Day 2 of the BarCamp.
It’s looked like a decent compromise until a ticketing goof up put end to my BarCamp plans. But that’s for another post.
From left to right, Yours truly, Lil Mohan (MD, Intel WiMax), Hitesh Oberoi (COO, Naukri.com & Info Edge) and Murugavel Janakiraman (CEO, BharathMatrimony.com).
I had known Muruga very well. In fact, he was on the panel at SearchCamp too. I had heard of Hitesh and had very high respect for him for spearheading Info Edge’s spectacular IPO success. Lil Mohan was a last minute replacement for another panelist but he turned out to be the best amongst the lot.
Everyone listening intently to Muruga talking about his experience in growing BharathMatrimony.com.
The panel discussion was originally supposed to take place at 2:30 PM but my flight got delayed and hence they postponed it to 9:30 in the night. We had a near houseful even that late in the night. That’s the beauty of campus life. Most students crash at around 2:00 in the morning and the night life had just begun.
Quiz: Trace me in the snap above!
Once I had the panel warmed up with my questions, I turned it over to the audience to quiz the panelists. I moved off the stage and started to mingle along with the students, something that I always do as a moderator. A good sign of an active panel discussion is when there are still lots of raised hands for questions even when its well past the end time. Personally, I felt it was a pretty decent show.
I was quite impressed with the Abakus team who pulled off AIMS2007 wonderfully. I wasn’t there long enough to catch the other programs, but from what I could see, it was a thoroughly professional show put in by the team. Kudos, especially to Rahul Gaitonde.
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Quiz answer : You are sitting at the left most position of the last but one row.
Will I get a developer role in your software company ?
Bingo!
Chances are, I may not be able to afford you!
Kribs,
Nothing against you.. But one thing i cannot understand, IIM’s are supposed to be the best of the best.. couldn’t they find one of their students to moderate??
-Patrick Manoj
I have turned over a new leaf..before this I used to leave sarcastic comments but I have realised that I dont even know Kiruba..why should I begrudge anything he does..if he has the capacity o do something he does it..why should others feel he doesnt deserve it?
He gets blog readership – people say – ah what crap
He gets to moderate at IIM – people say – oh how can that happen?
Well the commenters did not even get that half chance..so what the heck? Maybe kiruba has a pleasing personality and that doesnt come through on the blog. I know a lot of people who are really good but cant express themselves on their blogs while there are a lot of opinionated fatheads who write their blog carefully without their real life deficiencies showing
So Kiruba, good luck and hope you continue to do well.
However note that I also think comments that praise kiruba to heavens even for the smallest post are bad as well
Adios muchachos
kupannan jenkins
@Patrick,
Good point. I’m sure there are good folks who should be capable enough to moderare but I would assume they chose someone outside for two reasons.
1) A moderator is also expected to ask tough questions that might make your queasy or even plan embassaring. As the host, they may feel constrained. So, get someone who doesn’t care two hoots about putting folks in a corner. That’s one possible reason.
2) Most IIMK students have an average of 2 years industry experience. Probably they felt someone with a higher experience and more importantly someone with relevant experience in the Internet space can ask better questions. This could be another reason.
Thirdly, there could be a possibility (am not sure though) that someone would have seen me speak or moderate in another event, liked what they saw and thought it would be nice to have me over. Most invitation come through this channel and so I’m assuming this might be the case.
It would be nice to hear from the IIMK team directly. Maybe I’ll just ping them.
@Kuppannan Jenkins,
You are right. Translating one’s real life personality online is indeed a gift and I’m not sure if I’m really good at that.
I’d love to hear from folks who have known me both in real life and thru this blog.
That said, I absolutely value comments from folks who criticize. I’m a super believer that its easy to praise someone but it takes a lot more to condemn or critize one. So, I respect when someone takes the time to voice their opinion.
will get a developer role in your software company?
but i not able to afford you.
“too exicted to even sleep” is not a good state of mind-Kiruba, anyways by 2010 the great internet meltdown is predicted
bluff master 2 remake with kiruba in lead role
hey, i know this comment has nothing to do with you post but even then, I read your column this week and the thing is, one very enthu uncle from the US gifted me the iphone.
Unlocking is all fine and dandy, i know a place n all, but whats the after-unlocking procedure that i have to follow? Some turning off automatic updates n all, help me, I’m kinda lost! :S
And ooh, awesome blog.