Caps, cameras & tears of joy fill IIM-I campus

Indore: As you step into the sprawling campus of Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM-I) on convocation day, the scale of moment unfolds instantly. Rows upon rows of white chairs stretch across the open ground, a bright red carpet cutting through the centre like a ceremonial spine, leading up to a grand stage framed against the soft evening sun.This is not just a ceremony. It is a culmination. Graduates in blue, yellow and black gowns sit in disciplined blocks, their faces a mix of relief and pride. Behind them, hundreds of parents and family members fill the enclosure, craning their necks, raising phones, trying to spot a familiar face in the sea of achievers.Near the entry, the energy is lighter. A steady stream of students and families gathers at selfie points and open spaces. Caps are adjusted, gowns straightened and cameras switch between portrait and landscape every few seconds. "One more," echoes repeatedly, as if no single frame feels enough.As the ceremony begins, a visible shift takes over. Conversations fade. The academic procession moves in measured steps across the carpet, drawing all eyes towards the stage. For a moment, the vast gathering falls into a collective silence broken only by announcements and applause.Yet, beyond the formal proceedings, the real story lies in the margins. A father stands slightly on his toes, trying to capture his daughter on stage through his phone screen. A mother folds her hands briefly with moist eyes. Some sit quietly, while other busy capturing all the moments in their phones. "I picked this sari weeks ago," says Sunita Sharma from Jaipur, standing along the side aisle, her gaze fixed ahead. "We have seen him struggle, sacrifice so much. Today feels like our achievement too."Inside the gathering, emotions run deeper than words."There were days when this journey felt very tough. But today, it all makes sense," says Neha Gupta from Delhi, watching her husband greet his classmates. As the ceremony concludes, the structured order dissolves into celebration. The red carpet becomes a walkway of reunions. Caps go up in the air, applause grows louder, and families move forward in waves.Ramesh Kothari, relative of a student from Varanasi pauses before stepping in for photographs. "Sending her here was not easy. But today, seeing her here, confident and smiling, it feels worth everything," he says.