The categories

Chemcon is over... a nicely screwed up event. Placements have begun, and the situation look worse that usual, since nobody is getting a job. In this scenario, I have found the people of my department to be divided into the following categories:

1) Those who are jealous that others are getting shortlisted (first or second rounds), and are happy that the shortlisted ones are not getting a job (I can think of just a couple of such people).

2) Those who are jealous that others are getting shortlisted (first or second rounds), but are also frustrated that those who have got shortlisted are not getting jobs (a little more than a couple).

3) Those who are happy for others who are getting shortlisted, but are getting pissed off with the fact that the shortlisted ones are not getting jobs and thus also limiting the options of those who have not been shortlisted (this is the majority of the batch).

4) Those who are getting shortlisted (first or second rounds).

Category 1 does not merit discussion, catagories 2 and 3 deserve sympathy, but nothing more can be done about them. Category 4 deserves encouragement...

A category 4 person getting a job is actually a great cause of celebration amongst catagories 2 and 3 also.

Come on, category 4!!!

The quest for the mustard oil

Telephonic conversation between Ramesh (R) and me (M) yesterday:

R: Where are you?

M: Still looking for mustard oil for the lamps

R: You have not yet found mustard oil? (incredulity in voice)

M: No, it is not available at any place. We looked in Munirka, then in Sarojini Nagar, and finally in Yusuf Sarai. (smirks from Ravi, Rachna and Iti). What I mean is that we first looked for the lamp, and once we found the lamp, we looked for the oil, and we have been unable to find the oil.

R: But mustard oil is available everywhere!!

M: Perhaps, but at present, it is not available

R: So you could get some other oil

M: We could, but convention dictates that mustard oil is used in lighting a lamp... we could, of course, also get any vegetable oil, but mustard oil is what I think we should get.

R: Yes yes... that is what I am also saying... but if it is getting late...

M: Why? Are you in a hurry? Do you have to leave?

R: No no... there is no hurry

M: I would like to do things correctly and get the mustard oil... unless of course you feel otherwise

R: No no... get the mustard oil. But mustard oil is also available in IIT. I use it everyday...

M: OK. If we dont get it in Yusuf Sarai after looking in Munirks and Sarojini Nagar, we will buy it in IIT

R: It is available near the IIT post office

M: OK, I will go to the IIT post office and buy it!!

Now, this is how Chemcon is organised by IIT-Delhi