They became successful managers, academicians, entrepreneurs and even pursued offbeat career of an author. However, what bound the seven Young Alumni Achievers Award recipients at IIM Ahmedabad on Tuesday was their passion for chosen field and love for alma mater. 

Seven IIM-A alumni from 1996 to 2000batches received the awards in recognition to their contribution and outstanding achievements in their chosen area of work. This year’s recipients included Anuradha Chugh, MD of Ben & Jerry’s; Prakash Jhanwer, regional head - Southeast Asia and China, Olam International; Utsav Baijal, partner, US-based Apollo Management; Kuldeep Jain, founder and CEO, Cleanmax Solar; Manish Gupta, founder and CEO, Indegene; Ashwani Monga, vice dean (academic programs) of Rutgers Business School; and Chetan Bhagat, renowned author.

The awardees remembered their days at the Red Bricks - right from ‘Chai pe charcha’ before the term was coined to rigorous first year that shaped them for the challenges of corporate world. Jain remembered contribution of his peers and seniors in his entrepreneurial journey. “A lot has happened in my life here and I have also sold that in the form of stories. We all are very attached to this place. We are who we are because of IIM,” Bhagat said.

Chugh said it’s not different in India or abroad. “Make sure what you are getting out of work is worth it. Because that’s what you will have to fall back to. Young people should remember why they are here (at such institutions),” said Chugh while narrating her journey.