IIM Kozhikode: A Melting Pot of Cultures
IIM Kozhikode is a melting-pot of cultures and sensibilities. However, the transition from the hubbub of cities to the serenity of Kozhikode (in Kerala) has its share of unsettling moments.
With a mix of fresh graduates and experienced people from the corporate world rubbing shoulders, the variety on 
campus has its own challenges. Within the campus the cultural diversity one deals with is minimal because of the pan-India sensibilities taken care of right from food to celebrating festivals. The grandeur of our Diwali is as awe-inspiring as the mayhem we cause on Holi. And Onam and Pongal are celebrated in their truest sense.
However, whenever a student comes to Kozhikode, the first issue that bothers him is the perennial language problem. So much so, that I, a Tamilian, have a tough time talking to locals. It is even tougher for people who have lived all their lives in a different culture. Those who manage to learn some broken Malayalam can survive beautifully on the streets of Kozhikode.
Thanks to the unique cuisine of Kerala, not many people enjoy the local food. I, personally do not enjoy food cooked in coconut oil, and therefore, am very particular about the kind of restaurant I get into when I eat out.
That being said, experiencing diverse cultures gives us perspectives as we interact with different kinds of people and understand their sensibilities, which makes us better human beings at the end of the day.
Author: Pankaj Mullick
Date: 30th June, 2010
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