Worldly wise converge at IIM-A

Though a wide diversity in the backgrounds of students of the postgraduate programmes at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) is not uncommon, the current batch has an even greater assortment. Along with a significant rise in the number of female students in the programme, from 6 per cent in the previous batch to around 15 per cent this time around, the diversity, with doctors and information technology experts, is emphasised by those from the merchant navy and seeking spiritual knowledge, among many others.

THE SPIRITUAL
After completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Kanpur University, Alok Gautam decided to take some time off in pursuit of an understanding of life in depth, something that had for long been eating into his mind.

For four years, Gautam read books on spirituality, including some on Gautama Buddha, on Hinduism and Islam, and more on spiritual gurus. In addition, he practised yoga, meditation and other mental exercises. A satisfied Gautam then went on to crack the Common Admission Test (CAT) and enter IIM-A.

“It all started when I wanted to find out what life was and the way to lead a happy life. After graduation, I began reading books on philosophy and psychology, which led me towards spirituality,” said Gautam. “All religions are the same at their core, but it is their followers who interpret them in different manners.”

After his graduation from IIM-A, Gautam plans to set up a research centre for spirituality. “The common man is misinformed about spirituality. By setting up a research centre, I intend to publish reliable and concrete data on spirituality,” he said.

“Spirituality is all about a complete and healthy experience of living,” he said.

THE TRAVELLER
Nikhil Ummat travelled to more than 40 countries before joining the postgraduate programme at IIM-A. After completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mumbai, he worked in the merchant navy with a Japanese firm.

As part of his job, Nikhil travelled across the world for three years. He handled navigation on his ship and also the loading and unloading of consignments. However, there remained in him an urge to reach a high level, leading him to change tracks and navigate his way to the top management institute in India.

“I realised the potential of the logistics industry in India. With the ambition of growing further, I took a break of 10 months to prepare for the CAT,” said Nikhil, who cracked the exam and joined the institute’s flagship course.

Nikhil plans to explore the field of logistics after completion of his course. “There is huge potential for logistics in India. While many advanced countries outsource their logistics requirements, most firms in India still manage on their own,” he said. “However, along with growth and expansion, these firms are bound to outsource their logistics too.”

Calling to mind his experience in view of the future, Nikhil said, “My experience in dealing with people from across the globe and in handling emergency situations such as fires on the ship and storms at seas, requiring quick decisions and good team dynamics, will be an advantage in the latter phase of my career.”

FARMER’S SON
Sagar Desai helped his father in farming till class XII. “I also took vegetables to sell in the local market,” said Sagar, who successfully fought all odds to enter IIM-A. Though his parents knew little
of the CAT or IIM-A, he paved his way from Karve village in Maharashtra to join the country’s top business school.

Sagar’s father is a farmer and his mother, a housewife. “They had little idea about what I was up to when I was studying for the CAT. However, their emotional and spiritual support, and encouragement flowed constantly,” he said.

Sagar had studied in a Marathi medium school before studying
engineering in Mumbai. “Coming from a vernacular medium school, I initially struggled with English and had an inferiority complex,” he said.

He also had to struggle against financial odds. “In my first year of engineering, I passed with distinction. However, the banks initially refused me an education loan as my father was a farmer and had unstable income,” said Sagar. “I had to struggle a lot before getting a loan.”

After completing his degree in engineering, Sagar worked in the field of intellectual property consultation. “I wanted to prepare
for the CAT, but could not leave my job as I had to support my family. As the fees for coaching classes were high, I only answered the mock tests, which were cheaper. I did the rest of the preparation myself,” he said.

Sagar faced each hurdle with a positive attitude. He is now a student of the postgraduate programme in agro-business management and wishes to launch his own food processing venture later on. “My experience and understanding of farms and the difficulties faced by farmers will help me connect with the course in a better way and later on,” he said.