IIMK Interview Transcript

IIMK Interview Transcript **PROFILE** 10th - 10 CGPA 12th - 93.8% Bachelors in Mechanical - 6.8 CGPA (don't ask) Work Ex - 18 months in DRL as of Dec 2024 Venue - Novotel, Hyderabad WAT Topic - India is a unified country, there is no place for diversity I think my interview was at 10:30 am, I guess, I was given panel 2 There were 2 panelists, both in their mid 30s I believe P1 (Marketing Management) P2 (Quantitative Methods and Operations Management) P1 (headshot, as soon as I entered the room) - Lakshita, in 10th you got 100%, in 12th it dropped down to 93.8% and in graduation it went for steep decline to 68%, what happened? (I sat down, greeted them both) A - Mam, I grew up in a small town, in Panipat, Haryana. I didn't have access to quite a lot of things growing up, not even a library for instance. As soon as I got into IITK, there was a plethora of clubs and societies in front of me. With time my involvement in the clubs sidelined my Academics, hence the low marks. I did however prioritize my academics in my final year. P1 - But in your final year your marks are even poorer, first two years it is still okay (I mean, come onnnnnn) A - Mam, with the cumulative addition of marks, the increment might not show up in the final CGPA, however... (cut) P1 - Whatever age group we are in, be it young or old, we should prioritize right? We should be able to balance things, don't you think? A - Yes Mam, I tried my best to manage in college, I am doing so currently as well, with my job and in company... (cut) P1 - Ok, so you did your graduation in Mechanical, then why DRL? Oh I see you are in Manufacturing, so what do you do in DRL? A - Told about my 15 months training period, RnD stint, GMO stint and how it motivated me for site role and CSR stint. Told about my current work in Operations P1 - Why did you not continue with RnD? A - Mam, in RnD, focus is on the API sector. I don't have the knowledge... (cut) P1 - So you just started this role in Operations, then why MBA all of a sudden? A - Mam, I want to get an overall exposure to the business side as well. Currently it is limited to Operations... (cut) P1 - Yes, wo to aap company main rahoge then seekhoge with time right... A - Yes mam, I believe that I am young and full of zeal to learn which makes the timing quite right. Also CAT is a very unpredictable exam... (cut) P1 - Ok, so we are old and have no zeal to learn huh? (whattt?) A - No Mam, it isn't like that (all were chuckling at this point) P1 - Lakshita, tell me a recent news item A - Mam, our Prime Minister ModiJi travelled to France and the USA. During his time in France, he talked about AI, there was an AI summit, our country is also aiming to increase nuclear energy production. There are talks going on regarding SMRs which is Small Modular Reactors. He has also visited US to meet with their President Donald Trump. P1 - Ok, why do you think these visits are done, why are they important? A - These are important to set collaborations with other countries, to bring technological advancements to our country, to boost our GDP and economy (I didn't mention tariffs because I wasn't confident on that part, hadn't read about ModiJi's visit to Qatar smh) P2 - Okayyy, Lakshitaaaa, what was your favourite subject? A - (with an uncertain face) Thermoooo... P2 - But yaad nai hai na kuch? A - (I shook my head; kaise yaad hoga kuch) I liked Operations Management though P2 - But Lakshita Operations Management is not a technical subject right... A - (Itna jo Ops padhke aayi thi, bekar) Yes Sir P2 - Okay, Dr Reddys... So is it still following xyz philosophy? A - (I swear to God I hadn't heard of this xyz phil being used) Sir, I can't recall, but we do use Lean Management in our site P2 - Oh! Lean Management! Tell me what is Lean Management? A - Using our current resources, we try to maximize our output Sir P2 - Ok, so the basics you know? Not the very technical stuff? A - I know its overview, not very deep P2 - Ok, tell me Lakshita the most selling product of Dr Reddys A - (me being an idiot forgot its Omez) - Uhhhh... Sir I can't recall but for our site, FTO11, it is Daptomycin, it is used for skin related issues P2 - What kind of drug is it? Is it oncology or what? What kinds of drugs are being manufactured in the plant? A - Sir, it is a non-onco drug. I work in Oncology department. There are drugs for growth hormone, for diabetes in the non-onco department. P2 - Where is this plant located? A - In Vizag Sir, actually it is in Pydibheemavaram, near to Odisha border. So from Vizag, it is one hour travel one way daily. (I have no idea why I said it, maybe to show my desperation to join IIMK) P2 - Oh, daily so much travel! A - Yes Sir (making him feel pity for me) P2 - I think they have something in Bachupally... A - Yes Sir, they have IPDO, Integrated Product Development Organisation, RnD headquarters in Bachupally P2 - Right right, but aren't there some plants in Bachupally? A - Yes Sir, FTO2 and FTO3 are in Bachupally. These are the OSD, Oral Solid Dosage manufacturing plants P2 - Okay... Hmm... (going through my application form) Oh, you have an immense interest in Korean Language, Culture and Food? A - Yes Sir, I just completed level 1 course P2 - So where did you learn it from? Is it some course offered by Korea? A - Sir, I learnt it from a teacher... (cut) P2 - Is it a korean teacher? A - No Sir, she is Indian P2 - How did she learn? A - Told the panel all about my teacher, how she learnt korean, took courses has been teaching since 7-9 years and even went to Korea for 9 months P1 - Seems like her teacher is living a better life than us (all chuckled) P2 - You also go to Korea then, why come to IIMK A - No Sir... (again all chuckled) P2 - Ok Lakshita, tell me what are honorifics... A - Sir, it is a way to address formal tone... P2 - Can you use some words, if you know... A - Yes Sir, we use "immida" while addressing formally or to people we are meeting for the first time. There's also the bow that we do, the more formal the tone, the more we have to bow, it is quite a confusing topic for me hehe P2 - Ok ok, you watch Kdramas? A - Only the interesting ones (with a big side smile) P2 - Only the interesting ones!!! Tell me Lakshita, which interesting Kdramas have you watched? A - I have seen Glory... P2 - Oh, you have seen Glory is it? Tell me what is Glory about? A - (surprised) Sir, have you seen Glory? P2 - I have seen everything! A - Ohk Sir, it is about a girl who gets revenge on her bullies, but it is interesting because she doesn't do it directly. She does it indirectly. The bullies end up killing each other P2 - Ok ok... Hmmm... Any other Kdramas? A - I have seen Extraordinary Attorney Woo... P2 - Oh, Extraordinary Attorney Woo, any other? A - Descendents of the Sun... Reply 1988... P2 - So you like the romantic ones huh? Not any thrillers? A - (making a non agreeing face) But Sir, Glory is a thriller... P2 - Ok (laughed a bit) Lakshita what other calls do you have? A - (vigorously shook my head) P2 (shocked) - None? A - No Sir P1 - Oh My! K ka kuch to connection hai, Korean, kdrama, IIMK A - (seizing the opportunity) Mam, actually from 5th to 10th standard, I wasin K section in school, then I went to IITK... (cut) P2 - Then you started watching Kdrama... (all started laughing) A - And now IIMK hopefully! P1 - Ok, we are done I guess. You will have to go to plant tomorrow I believe A - Mam, I have my train tomorrow, so next day I will go to plant P2 - Ok Lakshita, great talking to you A - Nice talking to you all, thank you **VERDICT - Initially Waitlisted at 172, finally CONVERTED!**