Author Chetan Bhagat was among the seven alumni awarded by Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, (IIMA), which held the fourth edition of Young Alumni Achiever Award on Tuesday.

Bhagat won the award in the Arts and Entertainment category. During his brief interaction with the media, Bhagat said that against the expectations of people, India’s growth has slowed down in the past couple of years.

“IIMA and students here believe in progressive and liberal economy agenda. Broadly speaking, we believe in growth, business and ethical good business.

In our country, growth process has slowed down. I am talking about across governments and I do not want to be political here. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate is not that great. Government has this institute (IIMA) that Author Chetan Bhagat was among the seven alumni awarded by Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, (IIMA), which

held the fourth edition of Young Alumni Achiever Award on Tuesday. Bhagat won the award in the Arts and Entertainment category. During his brief interaction with the media, Bhagat said that against the expectationsWinners: Prakash Jhanwer, Utsav Baijal, Manish Gupta, Kuldeep Jain, Chetan Bhagat, Anuradha Chugh, Ashwani Monga of people, India’s growth has slowed down in the past couple of years.

“IIMA and students here believe in progressive and liberal economy agenda. Broadly speaking, we believe in growth, business and ethical good business. In our country, growth process has slowed down. I am talking about across governments and I do not want to be political here. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate is not that great. Government has this institute (IIMA) that can contribute a lot in economic policies. I don’t think the policies in the country are made by giving them much thought. Unless the country grows at 10% or 12% rate, we are not going to benefit. IIMA is an institute that can help the government form the right kind of policy and I don’t think it is utilised to its full potential,” he said. Bhagat also said that at a time when job creation is a concern, better growth rate of can change the situation. When asked about possibility of BJP forming government in 2019, he said that he was expecting 200 to 210 seats, but alliance would save them. The alumni also discussed the need for gender-neutral policies that could help change the mindset of people.

Read Also:

 Another recipient, Anuradha Chugh who studied in PGP- 1994-96 batch was among the three recipients of the award in Corporate leaders category. Responding to a query, she said that change in mindset could be through right policy. “When my daughter was four, someone asked her what she wants to be. She responded she wanted to be a nanny who takes care of kids parents entrust her with. 

This is deep. And such challenges are there for everyone whether you are a man or woman. Many times, people leave what they do as they think it is not worth it. It is really important to know if you think what you are doing is right. There are going to be difficult stages completely at various levels. That will be what they have to fall back on when people ask such questions,” she said. Alumni also discussed how women participation at B-schools have increased — including at IIMA — from 10% few years back to 32% in 2017-19.

Bhagat in his interaction also said that IIMA’s efforts to highlight alumni’s contribution will also encourage many. “This award is important. It will encourage others too. All my batchmates and fellow recipients are doing well, earning millions of dollars and succeeding. This is a good inspiration for the society particularly because it lacks role models these days. Instagram is full of glamorous celebrities as role models. I also tried to be one (role model) like that but it did not work. People should know who the real role models are,” he said. can contribute a lot in economic policies. I don’t think the policies in the country are made by giving them much thought. Unless the country grows at 10% or 12% rate, we are not going to benefit. IIMA is an institute that can help the government form the right kind of policy and I don’t think it is utilised to its full potential,” he said.

Bhagat also said that at a time when job creation is a concern, better growth rate of can change the situation. When asked about possibility of BJP forming government in 2019, he said that he was expecting 200 to 210 seats, but alliance would save them. The alumni also discussed the need for gender-neutral policies that could help change the mindset of people.

Another recipient, Anuradha Chugh who studied in PGP- 1994-96 batch was among the three recipients of the award in Corporate leaders category. Responding to a query, she said that change in mindset could be through right policy. “When my daughter was four, someone asked her what she wants to be. She responded she wanted to be a nanny who takes care of kids parents entrust her with. This is deep. And such challenges are there for everyone whether you are a man or woman. Many times, people leave what they do as they think it is not worth it.

It is really important to know if you think what you are doing is right. There are going to be difficult stages completely at various levels. That will be what they have to fall back on when people ask such questions,” she said. Alumni also discussed how women participation at B-schools have increased — including at IIMA — from 10% few years back to 32% in 2017-19. Bhagat in his interaction also said that IIMA’s efforts to highlight alumni’s contribution will also encourage many.

“This award is important. It will encourage others too. All my batchmates and fellow recipients are doing well, earning millions of dollars and succeeding. This is a good inspiration for the society particularly because it lacks role models these days. Instagram is full of glamorous celebrities as role models. I also tried to be one (role model) like that but it did not work. People should know who the real role models are,” he said.

Award winners

Corporate Leaders

1) Anuradha Chugh, PGP batch of 1994-96, currently the MD, Ben & Jerry’s

2) Prakash Jhanwer, PGP batch of 1996-98, currently Regional Head – South East Asia and China, Olam International

3) Utsav Baijal, PGP batch of 1998-2000, currently Partner, Apollo Management/

Aion Capital, USA/India

Entrepreneur

4)Kuldeep Jain, PGP batch of 1997-99, Founder and CEO, Cleanmax Solar

5)Manish Gupta, PGP 1996-98 Co – founder & CEO, Indegene

Academics

6)Prof. Ashwani Monga, PGP Batch 1995-97, Vice Dean for Academic Programs

and Innovations, Rutgers Business School

Arts and Entertainment

7) Chetan Bhagat, PGP batch of 1995-97, Author