Famous novelist Thackeray once said, "Next to excellence is the appreciation of it." It was an apt reminder, since we were headed in the direction of one of India's finest B-schools and internationally recognized for its excellence in management education.

The twenty-minute bumpy ride on pot-holed Bannerghatta Road from Bangalore Dairy Circle can rattle even the stout hearted. However, once inside the portals of this renowned institution the horrific experience of dodging treacherous traffic (and come out alive) is soon forgotten. In fact, it's rather comforting being there. Tree-lined pathways, lush green lawns, thick foliage and cleaner air than the one outside, engulf you in these serene and secluded surroundings.

We weren't here for any sort of survey on Indian B-Schools. That's for the statistical-minded pundits. We came here to get a feel of the place, hear the pulse of students and faculty and generally try and find out what makes this a great place for learning and fun.

Welcome to the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB).