I heard about “Battle of minds” in my very first semester in North South University. In that period I didn’t have slightest idea about it. But later I came to know more about it. “Battle of minds” is a competition for the graduating and fresh graduate students. It is organized by ‘British American Tobacco Bangladesh – BATB’. This competition is a process of recruiting fresh graduates and interns for BATB. So I was thinking to participate in BOM ever since. At the end of last month, I learned that registration for BOM has started and one of our faculty member have asked, NSUers those who have completed 80 credits and CGPA above 3, to drop CV to him.
I the opportunity to apply for it. But I didn’t want to apply alone. So I looked for a group. And the people I first thought of are my nerd friends: Mobashra Ather, Anwar Zaman, Sazid Raihan, Tihan Adnan. I asked them to join with me. Zaman wasn’t interested but others were. But later Sazid and Tihan planned to apply next year. So Mobashra & I dropped our CV. And few days later we got the invitation for grooming session.
Even though Mobashra got invitation, she didn’t want to join in the grooming session. I kept insisting and requesting her to join in. In our Nerd Club, Sazid and Zaman also suggested her to join in. After a long discussion she agreed.
So today was our grooming session. Mobashra reached NSU before me and gave a bad news that participants of grooming session have been divided into several groups and assigned in different class rooms. I was little bit hurt when I found out that we two are assigned in separate rooms.
Session in Mobashra’s room started first. Galib sir conducted the session. Few minutes later he came to our room. Muneem Sir was with him. Galib sir explained why we were separated from others. he said we had either CGPA less than 3 or we didn’t complete 96 credit till summer ’10. Then he told us that BOM is for those who are in their last semester or 2nd last semester or graduated in last 3 months. None of us in my room met that criteria and so we can’t go to the next step. Then he explained why he asked students with 80 credits to apply. According to him, those who have applied have interest for BOM. And he wanted they to give some exposure to BOM, so that, we can prepare for next year Battle of Minds.In short, we were called to get some experience of BOM. I didn’t feel bad because I was enjoying it because I was getting the experience I wanted. On other hand, Mobashra had finished more that 96 credit and in her 2nd last semester. So she did qualify for this year BOM. .
In Both room, we were asked to form a small group of our own. Then all groups were given a case on Yahoo! ans asked to solve it with in two hours. We were asked to make a power point presentation which have to present after two hours.
People I knew from my room were Marufa, Kollol, Fayeed, Rahim. I formed a group with Fayeed, Sifat and Rubaiyat. We passed next two hours reading the 23 page case, answering the questions asked at the end of case, discussing and making PowerPoint slides. I don’t know what Mobashra did in that time. But the two-time I went out of my room and peeped into her room, I found she is reading and working hard.
So after two hours we all reported to NAC507 for the presentation. There Mehedi sir and Bashir sir joined us. Galib sir gave use few instruction about BOM, online registration of BOM, roadshow and few other things. Then he asked all of us to go outside and wait for calls to present. And as Mobashra and people of her room are participating this year BOM, they were given priority to present. Fortunate for Mobashra that her group was called first to present. I know Mobashra hates presentation but looks like she did it well. But still she was little (!) bit angry with me as I ruined her holiday.
I waited till 5 pm for my turn to present. but groups from other room weren’t done. In the mean time, I missed my make up class, a quiz and a class journal. So me and my group members decided to forfeit. As weren’t going this year BOM, there is no point of being tired and sacrificing energy. Though all of us really wanted to present, but can’t wait any further. So we left NSU. And later I came to know that some other teams have forfeited too.
On my way back, I figured that I had to sacrifice my classes for the grooming session. That was a small sacrifice but it won’t be small when I’ll participate in BOM. I’ll try for BOM next year only if I find I’ve noting to sacrifice. I’ve sacrificed enough of my study for my clubs in NSU. I am not ready to sacrifice anymore at this stage. I found that I don’t have interest on BOM anymore. This is exactly how Mobashra felt earlier but I insisted her to participate. I apologize to Mobashra for insisting and making her to participate. Though I know she liked the grooming session and will do better if she participate in BOM. I’m done with my “Battle of Minds” adventure but I’m requesting Mobashra to apply for BOM. Hope she will consider It.