Academics at IIM Calcutta have always been supplemented by a host of student activities. These include a wide variety of competitions and fun events on campus organized by our student clubs. Clubs at IIMC encompass a wide range of interests including management functions, cultural events, social initiatives, and sports. Participation of visiting students in all such activities is greatly encouraged and eagerly sought.
Last year, the Choreography Club sprang into action within a week of the arrival of exchange students by organizing a workshop on Indian contemporary dance. The dance performance put up by the exchange students was a big hit and became a rage in the campus. If you are interested in music, join JBS BaroC, our music band.
Last year we had Paul from Lebanon and Julien from France playing the guitar for JBS. Gelling brilliantly with existing members, they made the crowd go wild, especially with Sultans of Swing and Johnny Be Good. Julien joined hands with a bunch of IIMC musicians to form the band Purple Cow which went on to qualify for the national semi-finals of a music competition featured on national television. He also composed and recorded a song for his album, which he intends to release as soon as he finishes his course. Paul, who plays with the band White Trees, learnt how to play Indian classical instruments like the Sitar during his stay here.
For those of you who are not particularly into dance or music, there are plays put up by the Dramatics Cell and various brain-storming quizzing sessions organized by our Quiz Club from time to time. Special movie screenings are hosted by Cinema Paradiso, featuring classics from India and around the world. Students eager to give back to the society and help the underprivileged can collaborate with Initiative for Community Action (INCA), which takes up projects to help non-profit organizations working for the betterment of the society.
However, if you are thinking what really interests our incoming students? Well, it has to be the trips organized by our Adventure Club, Armageddon. It arranged a 2-day trip to the Sunderbans, exclusively for the exchange students. Armageddon also arranged a 9-day trek to the 16,500 ft high Dzongri Goecha La in West Sikkim. This was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for exchange students to experience the rugged Indian terrain, besides helping them bond with IIMC students and develop friendships they will cherish for a lifetime.
Sports are an integral part of life at IIMC. The 3-day inter-hostel sports meet, which saw enthusiastic participation from visiting students, was extremely competitive. IIMC provides ample opportunities and suitable infrastructure for soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, cricket, and other sports. If you don’t want to step out of your hostel, you could still refresh yourself with a game of table tennis, pool, snooker, or IIMC’s very own creation, Footer. Our swimming pool is perfect to beat the odds of the Indian summer and we highly recommend the gym to those who want to stay in shape. After all, we believe in the wise men’s saying: “Health is Wealth”.
For students with a keen interest in management functions, there are various clubs to work with. The Finance Club, Consulting Club, Marketing Cell, and Systems Consulting Club help get industry exposure through live projects. Students can also contribute to their respective magazines. Team Census organizes events where one can witness and experience marketing in the Indian context.
You can participate in these events, or just come over to enjoy the feel of a marketplace and relish the delicious food & drinks being sold by students. Numerous seminars, workshops and talks by national and international industry experts are organized by Persona and Colloquia. You can meet budding entrepreneurs through our Entrepreneurship Cell. For the shutter-bugs, we have our very own Lakeside Lens Lovers Club, where they can exchange photography-related tips with passionate and talented photographers. You could also share your knowledge with those on campus, just like Paul, who organized a Public Speaking Workshop which was attended by professors and students alike.
If you still have free time at your disposal, you could spend it at the night canteen, which continues to be the favorite hangout spot for exchange students. The get-togethers here frequently end up as full-blown wing parties. And this is just a snapshot of our rich student life. You can read more about it here.
With so much happening on our campus, we assure you that you won’t have the time to even think of things back home. So why not come over to Joka and spend the four most enjoyable months of your life with us?