Times to come?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…

 

Charles Dickens’ book The Tale of Two Cities couldn’t have had a stronger opening. As time at ISB wears on, I guess, this line has become symptomatic of the times our batch is going through.

 

Most of us came in expecting a rough ride given that the economy was showing all signs of slowing down. But then the investment banks came crashing down and everything just went off trajectory. The ensuing mayhem in the stock markets, the currency markets, Iceland, PE, real estate, even the grocery store here in ISB is unbelievable. Fear is palpable.

 

I call myself the child of a ‘providing India’. The rough and tumble of childhood spent in green, spacious army houses across the country, youth spent in the then quiet, abundant and cosmopolitan Bangalore and working life in the thick of action – a growing, congested, throbbing ‘new’ Bangalore. My definition of macro economic angst was the minor blip we saw in Infosys when the Indian rupee appreciated. My definition of a pink slip was what I had read about in books outlining the 2001 dotcom crash. My definition of fear was…well, no definition.

 

But fear now is palpable. Not because I don’t think I will not land a job but because I see friends in the industry, friends in other B-schools and friends in my class process the external situation differently. It is almost as though each of them think this is something against them personally.

 

If contending with the economy was not enough, then came the Mumbai terror attacks. It was the raw emotion of fear all over again. This time I felt the nip closer. My uncle was in the Taj. He is unharmed but just by sheer providence.

 

This clearly is the worst of times, right?

 

Not quite. This may just be the best of times, if we choose to make it.

 

I am actively discussing a business plan with some of my batch mates. I wouldn’t have thought of it had the job market been more cushiony. Thinking back on last evening, when we had a serious discussion about avenues to market our offering, I feel myself smile thinking about the passion and conviction in the room.

 

It is the best of times because I have a whole bunch of friends – Chamko Raja, Nerdy Birdy, Nooz, Manna, Aashu, Yashi, Deems, Devi who my day is not complete without. It’s wonderful to be able to share what exactly is going on in my head with people who understand, empathize, care and reciprocate. And, I know that we are there for each other in these bad times.

 

It is the best because I know that when I look back at this one year and everything that it encompassed it will always make me smile.

 

And, ya, the economy will swing itself up again, the terrorists behind the Mumbai attack will be caught and punished and fear will be a distant bird on a cloudy horizon visible only if you go looking for it.

 

 

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