Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaraa...: Fun @ Mckinsey

Fun at Mckinsey

Bhaago Team Bhaago !

If you ask me what I remember most about my Mckinsey stint, there's one story that immediately pops up in my head. So, my first project was in this place called Korba which is like a proper industrial location. Reaching Korba itself is a pain. If I'm going from Mumbai, I need to go to Raipur airport first, sometimes a day in advance and then take a train or car to Korba which is like a 5 hour ride. Coming back is also equally painful.

So it was one of those times we were going to take a train back to Korba and then fly out the next day. So, it was a thursday evening train for which we were waiting at the usual platform - platform 1. There were 5 of us - Me, Sharma bro (my best buddy from Mck), Manocha, Sumeet (Our manager) and Shankar (our associate partner). It was diwali break. So many days off ahead and we were all eagerly waiting.We reached the platform at 6.00pm for the train which usually leaves between 610 and 615pm. We were happily chitchatting. It was 6.15. The train hadn't come and we didn't observe it until Shankar heard an announcement stating that the train is about to leave.

F*ck ! They had changed the platform for this train which always used to come on the platform we were waiting for.And we looked ahead. We were in platform 1 and the train was in platform 5 and had just slowly started to move. All 5 of us had big luggages also with us. There was absolutely no way we were going to reach the train even if started running. But Sumeet, who was our manager started running. He had this super focused look on this face that "This is for the Diwali break! Missing this train means less time spent with my wife. I'm definitely catching that train no matter what !' And he started running towards the foot over bridge. I and Sharma bro also started running followed by Manocha and Shankar. None of us talked to each other. It was as if the universe was telling all of us "Bhaago Team Bhaago"

As we were on top of the bridge, we looked down and the train seemed be at a pace where jumping onto it was highly risky. But Sumeet was leading the pack. So, I also followed along. So did the others. We reached platform 5... I saw Sumeet jumping into the train. I had never done this in my life. I ran and jumped together after throwing my luggage in first. I somehow got it. But I had no idea what to the others. But suddenly, there was a big noise and the train came to a halt. It was Sumeet. He realized that Shankar and Manocha had given up and Sumeet pulled the chain ! Wow! It was quick presence of mind from Sumeet and I loved it.

It was the first time I jumped onto a train cruising at that speed.The passengers bad mouthed us obviously. Although the cops came and enquired our boggie number to come and penalize us, it didn't happen. But the entire run from platform 1 to platform 5 to jumping onto the train was super memorable :P