At the IIM-Ahmedabad, a place known for its smart students and tough studies, even the smartest sometimes get distracted by cricket. Recently, Associate Professor Promila Agarwal faced a funny situation. Her students wanted extra time for an assignment so they could watch India play South Africa in the T20 World Cup final.
The request, as Professor Agarwal shared on social media, came in the form of a carefully crafted email from her PGP students. Opening with the customary academic politeness – “Dear Professor, I hope this email finds you well” – the students wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter. They boldly petitioned for a two-day extension on a looming assignment, citing the monumental importance of the cricket match to their emotional well-being.
“As you may be aware,” the email pleaded, “the India vs South Africa World Cup final is taking place today, a monumental event that holds significant emotional weight for many of us.” One can almost imagine the earnest expressions and shared glances exchanged among the students as they composed this plea, invoking the spirit of cricket that unites a nation.
As the cricket match unfolded, one can imagine the halls of IIM-Ahmedabad echoing with cheers and good-natured banter, bridging the gap between classrooms and cricket grounds. Perhaps in the end, Professor Agarwal granted a compromise, recognizing that even the most demanding of schedules can make room for a little bit of cricket magic.