The year gone by ...

Caught in between a year when I got admitted into IIMA, got placed a couple of times (once at IIMA and once at MANIT); and the year when I would get to know my career path for life, 2012 for me would've felt like Rahul Dravid. Though it promised to be unsung, it turned out to be dependable with not many shocks and a few surprises that garnished it all through. 

Sport, something that drives my life day-in day-out, but for the fact that I don't play any of them except the armchair versions of them like Football Manager. The year was a major disappointment in the sporting sense. Nothing can match the heart wrenching feeling when you spend 600 bucks out of your own pocket to recharge the common TV in the PG, and then watch Aguero scoring deep into injury time to win the league for City.  On the other hand, Rafael Nadal gave me a few moments of joy, when he won the French Open title yet again, but watching him struggle for his fitness in the later part of the season was sad to say the least. Sadly, 2013 doesn't look to be much better for Rafa as he ruled himself out of the Australian Open as well. 

2012 also saw a personal favourite and role model hang up his boots. Will definitely miss the impeccably tucked in and sparkling clean white flannels walking (more often than not) within the first few overs of an Indian Innings. Those safe hands in the slip cordon. One of the most articulate persons Indian Cricket has ever had. The solidity and reliability that he provided when the chips were down and the team was stuttering. Will miss Jammy, my role model and hero since I can remember. If there was a brand ambassador for sheer hardwork and work ethic, it has to be Rahul Dravid. A person whom I literally worship for the amount he has achieved. 

On the personal front, 2012 gave me a lot that would make it memorable for I started taking my writing more seriously than ever before. While 2011 for me, was about getting back to writing, my 2012 resolution went on the lines of taking in more seriously. PaGaLGuY (and thus Rediff.com) kicked it off for me I guess.  "Are you sure you want to do an MBA?" lead to India Today inviting me to write a column for them on similar lines which ended up being the "Rags to Riches or Riches to Rags" story. I finally beat my laziness to join Sportskeeda and penned 4 articles for them as well.

The internship at HT Media was a nice experience - both in terms of work and the experience, though the life at Gurgaon was sad, to say the least. With nearly 8 hours of power cuts, it was a torturous experience to even catch some sleep. And the one experience of going in an Auto with two drivers on the street-light-less roads of Gurgaon close to midnight, scared the daylights out of me! 

Receiving my first salary cheque after roaming around the streets of Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida for a month; has to rank among the most satisfying moments of my life. PGP1 at IIMA also came to an end, and quite a memorable year that was. Ended up in 4 clubs that I loved working for. Confluence happened, and that was one of the most memorable weekends of my life at IIMA. A football based project for a NGO co-founded by a former Indian football captain, a project on Indian Cinema; another on the Indian Railways; a course on Sports Marketing and suddenly even academics seemed so interesting and welcome! 

2013 looks as challenging as ever, and here's ending with the note that it brings a lot of happy memories of its own! Happy New Year to everyone who managed to reach as far as this! Hope you have a great year ahead as well! :)