Week-37 here refers to the week of December 29, 2025 to January 04, 2026. The week unfolded as a vibrant mix of gratitude, celebration, and spirited competition. It easily stands out as one of the most action-packed weeks of the PGPX journey, with moments that demanded both emotional presence and physical energy. From the warmth and reflection of the batch dinner, to the institute ushering in the New Year with its own quiet (or rather, loud) charm, and finally to the adrenaline-fuelled inter-IIM sports competition, the campus was alive in every sense of the word. It was a week that reminded us that the MBA experience is not just built in classrooms and case discussions, but equally in shared celebrations, friendly rivalries, and moments that bring the entire campus together as one living, breathing community.

One of the most defining moments of last week (December 28, 2025) was the batch dinner held under the banner of Kritagya (कृतज्ञ). Conceived as a legacy event, Kritagya marks a tradition we have proudly begun this year, one we hope will grow richer, deeper, and more meaningful with every future PGPX batch that follows. A special acknowledgment is due to the brilliant minds who named the event, for the thoughtfulness and depth embedded in that single word. Kritagya represents a conscious pause in an otherwise relentless journey, a moment to step back, reflect, and express gratitude to the people and support systems that have shaped our PGPX experience in ways both visible and unseen.

Kritagya (कृतज्ञ) is a Sanskrit word meaning grateful, thankful, or appreciative, referring to someone who acknowledges and values help or favors received, an appreciative person or one who is obliged. It is a popular Hindu name, signifying a virtuous quality of recognizing kindness and expressing thanks, often used for boys, and reflects deep appreciation. 

Kritagya was our way of formally saying thank you to the ecosystem that quietly and consistently held us together throughout the year: our professors, academic associates, the PGPX Office, SAO, and the many teams and individuals across the institute who stood by us through academics, placements, the International Immersion Programme, relentless deadlines, and the sheer intensity that defines the PGPX journey. Their guidance, patience, and care helped us navigate not just the rigor of the programme, but also the moments when things felt overwhelming. In many ways, Kritagya was less about an event and more about acknowledging the people who made this journey humane, meaningful, and possible.

Wednesday arrived with the institute’s own way of bidding farewell to the year that had gone by and welcoming the one that lay ahead. The campus, already draped in warm Christmas lights, somehow managed to look even more beautiful. Yet, what truly elevated the evening were the smiles, laughter, and unmistakable excitement that flowed through the corridors and classrooms, cutting through the noise of deadlines, anxieties, and unfinished to-do lists. For a brief while, the weight of the year lifted. It became a moment of genuine joy and shared celebration, where everyone was more than willing to let 2025 fade into memory and welcome 2026 with open arms, optimism, and full gusto.

The year-end party was a celebration of the year that was and a warm welcome to a year filled with new opportunities and moments yet to unfold. The energy in the air was electric. Dancing alongside people who had endured the same headaches, the same pressures, and the same bouts of chaos, and still emerged smiling, made the night truly special. It was one of those rare moments where exhaustion gave way to joy, and camaraderie took center stage.

Long after we leave this ecosystem and move on to lives filled with meetings, deadlines, and responsibilities of a very different kind, this is the experience we will find ourselves missing the most. Not just the classrooms or the coursework, but the shared laughter after exhausting days, the spontaneous celebrations, the familiar faces that made even the hardest weeks bearable, and the quiet comfort of knowing you were never navigating it alone.

The bigger surprise in all of this was that I somehow managed to make it to the 08:45 AM class on January 01, 2026, despite having gone to bed at 05:00 AM the very same morning. Yes, against all odds, and despite the joy and excitement that had taken over the campus the night before, IIM Ahmedabad firmly reiterated its belief that academics wait for no one, not even on New Year’s Day. And so, the year began exactly as it should here: with macro policy, international economics, and a gentle reminder that celebrations may end, but classes never do.

The weekend ushered in the much-anticipated inter-IIM sports competition, bringing together IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Calcutta, and IIM Lucknow on the same grounds. As exclusive and celebratory as the event felt, it was equally intense, fiercely competitive, and mildly terrifying in the best possible way. What looked like friendly sports on the surface quickly transformed into battles of grit, stamina, and bragging rights, reminding everyone that when IIMs compete, even recreation comes with a serious edge.

On a side note, the sledging game could have been a lot better, but given the competitive spirit, the high stakes, and the fact that most of the players were running on adrenaline, sore muscles, and questionable sleep, we will allow it a pass. That said, there is definitely room for sharper one-liners, quicker comebacks, and a bit more creative verbal warfare the next time the IIMs decide to battle it out on the field.

All things considered, the week neatly completed the full circle of what one imagines the ultimate college experience to be: studying alongside the crème de la crème of the country, stepping away briefly from the relentless academic grind, and soaking in moments that make the pressure feel worthwhile. While everyone welcomes a short respite from the never-ending rigour of academics, it is hard to imagine anyone within the IIM Ahmedabad ecosystem choosing anything else over an experience as rich, intense, and memorable as this one.

P.S. As per the latest updates, IIM Ahmedabad wrapped up the competition as the runners-up among the four IIMs. As someone put it rather succinctly, there’s something oddly comforting about landing in the 50th percentile when the competition includes the very best management institutes in the country. Call it a consolation prize, perhaps, but in this league, even second place comes with its own quiet sense of pride.