They will apply mind over matter for record

The postgraduate management students, part of the 2006-08 PGDM batch at the Sadhana Centre for Management and Leadership Development (SCMLD), have been practicing the past three months for over an hour a day to prepare for the record attempt. With some students already managing to remember over 500 objects — good enough to at least break the existing record _ college authorities are confident of success.

“The objective is to show that it is possible to convert quantity into quality. Most of our students scored low in the CAT exam and had a history of not being very focused. Through the record we want to show that it is possible to motivate and train students to international standards,” visiting faculty to SCMLD and HRD professional P Mahadevan, said. “The record attempt has been named Salam Kalam to show that students have all the qualities that he wants in youngsters,” he added.

The trick behind memorising 250 random objects is a technique of visualisation developed by Mahadevan. The trick, described as a new language of memory, hinges on the students ability to imagine, visualize and associate the objects with something familiar. “We started off with memorizing 30 words and through a gradual approach of spending an hour a day reached the current level. We are preparing for the event by putting in extra hours even though our exams are on,” said first year PGDA student Bijoy Thomas Kuruvilla.

While the record will bring in fame, students say memory skills acquired will serve them for a lifetime. “Small things that make a difference,” Kuruvilla added.