'I Learnt The Value Of Motivating People And Taking Them Together To Create Something Big' - Arpita Yadav - Best 50 - Class of 2016

Born and brought-up in Lakhimpur-Kheri, U.P., I completed my graduation from BITS Pilani and worked as a software engineer for 23 months before joining IIM Calcutta. BITS gave me my first brush with leadership. I learnt the value of motivating people and taking them together to create something big. However, I feel IIM Calcutta has given me more than I had ever expected. I learn here – every day, every moment. The lectures and out of class discussions with the professors, brainstorming with the industry experts as part of various projects - these are the invaluable experiences I will take with me from IIM Calcutta. Every project that I do here is a means to learn from my peers. I have kept my horizons large by working on a variety of projects ranging from washable sanitary napkins to deciding distribution structure for big companies like ITC. My award winning paper with Bihar Government on women empowerment, which was based on a week-long research across the villages of Bihar was the best opportunity that IIM Calcutta could have given me. The case-study competitions that I have participated in have given me a fair idea about various industries. To make the most out of this place, I have also involved myself into various extra-curricular activities. A firm believer of the giving-back idea - as head of Learning and Development Team for IIMC Placements, I was responsible for the placements preparation of 900+ students. Through the alumni cell, I have brought live projects to the campus benefitting over hundred batchmates of mine. My past defines me, and my experiences shape me, every day.

What have you done in your life that you are the proudest of?

My work and experience with Bihar Government is something I am very proud of. 'Jigyasa' was a competition launched by the Bihar Government for documenting Bihar's development. They invited research proposals from across the country which witnessed over 800 registrations and 325 submissions. 30 teams were invited to do the field research. The topic for us was to explore the changes brought in by the Bihar Government in the field of women empowerment. We worked in a team of 5 interviewing over 200 women, 25 state officials of the highest levels, NGOs including World Bank across 3 districts and 7 villages of Bihar to submit a comprehensive a 58-page report to the officials. We analyzed the progress, current situation, and provided recommendations in our report. Our project was chosen as the best across all topics and we were adjudged the national winners. Having our paper published by the Bihar Government, and winning a fellowship opportunity with the Bihar Government is the proudest and most memorable experience of my life.

If you were the Prime Minister of India, what would be the one problem that you would solve? Please explain your reasons.

If I were the Prime Minister of India, my most important issue would be to address the loopholes in the education system of India. Providing quality education to all, fixing the flaws in RTE would become core areas of focus for me. This is because I believe that lack of education is the core issue for many problems in the country. Women work in their households and problems like dowry and marital rapes exist. The society still struggles with caste system and poor sanitation problems because of lack of education. There are too many farmers who die every year because they lack knowledge about things they can do to help their crops. You see a child labor in every third shop because of lack of education. Hence, the most important goal right now is to educate, to build more responsible citizens, who would contribute to the growth of the country. Above this, girl child would be of more importance because "If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family".

Meet the rest of India’s 50 Most Employable Management Graduates from the Class of 2016 here.