Q1.

Reflect upon how you see your life ten years post the PGDM programme at IIM
Shillong.

A: Thinking too far ahead in the future is something that I do not believe in. Things seldom
go as predicted because life itself is unpredictable. Living in the moment and focusing on the
present probably sounds like a better investment of energy and time.

All said and done, it is human nature to dream amidst all the unpredictability. These dreams
spur the ambitions in us. Ambition is the elixir of life that keeps us going & provides us with
an impetus to move ahead in life.

However, it is equally important to keep our ambitions within the realm of reality so that it
doesnt end up sky-rocketing & transforming us into corrupt individuals without an ounce of
pity, mercy, remorse or empathy towards the rest of the world around which our life
revolves. There is a reason why the world fears the plutomaniacs and the venal creatures-the
hedonists that trade their souls for the materialistic pleasures of life.

Growing up, I have always looked up to one individual in particular, as an inspiration in all
walks of life-my father. He has given me several life-altering, invaluable lessons which I am
sure will help me in the days to come. First and foremost, he has taught me never to take
anything or anyone for granted. Everything in this world comes with a price tag. Secondly,
there is more to life than money. While chasing after the coveted big bucks, we tend to
forget one big thing. What are we chasing it for? We give up our work-life balance, our
family life, the little joys of life, our personal space and time- to run after something that we
feel will buy us happiness but ends up swallowing it away. Sure it is a necessity; money is
important to survive-but our desire for more ends up being a disaster. The third and most
invaluable lesson he taught me was to not forget the lower rungs of the society while
climbing the ladder of financial success. They are the pillars which we absolutely cannot do
without and as social beings we bear a responsibility to treat them well and see to their well-
being.

My father started his own venture at the ripe-old age of 40, with a considerable amount of
risk that eventually paid off. Being a single child, it lies upon me to continue the legacy that
he started-something that we both desire. As an entrepreneur, for each individual we
employ, we can directly tackle one individuals unemployment problem, and indirectly
contribute to the well- being of 3-4 people in their care. So if I dare make a career goal for
10 years in the future, it is this:
A few years in the traditional corporate world to learn the tricks of the trade, followed by
taking over the family business in the long run.

At the same time, I would like to associate myself with a non-profit organization to
contribute to the cause of education for all. As the citizens of a country which has given us so
much, it lies upon us to work hard to unleash the power within India-to toil hard to create
many more Agnis who can annihilate the evil.
Q2. What is the one thing that you want to inculcate/add to your life in the two years
that you will be spending at IIM Shillong?

A: Like every other newbie who joins a B-School, I too come with the traditional dream of
doing well during the 2-years of my post-graduate career and eventually securing a decent
job.

However in addition to this, since my long term goal is to re-join my family business and
take it to greater heights, I would like to learn what makes an organization tick.

Since I hail from an Engineering background, with a bachelors in Electronics &

Communication, followed by a 1.5 year stint in an IT Company and a 26 month exposure in
the family business, being the Jack-Of-All trades, I feel the necessity to learn the intricacies of
management from scratch, instead of grasping at straws and trying to learn everything on-
the-job. The difficulty in transitioning from Electronics & Communication to Information
Technology and further to the Food & Beverages sector has been eye-opening. It has re-
confirmed by belief that a management education in addition to my existing academic
qualification can help me understand things better.

Since the pedagogy at IIM Shillong offers us a wide array of choices to explore the different
avenues and management perspectives, I feel that it would help me in achieving just that. At
the same time, it would help in adding to the exposure and provide me with a whole lot of
networking to take up the challenge of managing an organization in the future. On top of
that, a few years in the corporate sector in a leadership role, will further help me groom
myself to be a better leader in the years to come.

Quoting from Julius Caesar,

There is a tide in the affairs of mean,

Which taken at the flood, leads on the fortune;

Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries.

Having got the opportunity to become a part of this esteemed institution, which remains a
dream for many, I feel that it is imperative that I seize this moment to push myself and see to
that I live the dream. I feel duty-bound to make the most of the coming two years and
emerge as a better and more transformed individual, ready to tackle all the hurdles thrown in
my way.