'My Eagerness To Learn And Go Beyond Has Never Wavered' - Aabir Chatterjee - Best 50 - Class of 2016

Jovial, versatile and always going an extra mile to make sure my work is perfect, are the things that would describe me the best. My mantra for every day is- when working, give more than my best and while having fun, enjoy to the fullest.

At present, I am pursuing MBA in Marketing from SIBM Pune. During my time here, fields like Product Management, Digital Marketing have fascinated me that how billions are invested every single day, just to gauge its varied effects on human psychology and to determine the success of brands worldwide!

But, my eagerness to learn and go beyond has never wavered. Hence, to my surprise, my favourite subject turned out to be Macro Economics (All hail the repo rate!).

Over the past few years, I have developed a keen eye for detail, perhaps, from my passion for graphic designing. Hours can pass, but unless the vector is at the right place, unless it is at the proper angle and unless the proper font has been used- I shall not be at peace!

Finally, a proud Indian by heart, I am an eclectic mix of both the North and the East! An extrovert by nature, I tend to harbor strong opinions on possibly everything! So, if you want to share a laugh, debate over politics, discuss comics or Economics, I would probably be your go-to man.

What have you done at your Post-Grad/Business School/Undergrad level that makes you stand out from the crowd?

Be it under-grad or B-School, I have always, ALWAYS attempted to shake up the status-quo, rather than preserve it. And, this has always advertently or, inadvertently made me stand out.

My firm belief is that it is about recognizing that our role in life has a greater value than just what we do every day. It is not about the competition, it is not about following the status-quo. Rather it is the clarity of thought and action, and recognizing, leveraging ones unique strengths. I would describe my unique strength to be “the jack of all trades” (And yes, master at some.)

Be it academic consistency, be it graphic designing or, be it case study competitions, I have attempted each with equal vigour and have achieved laurels in each of them. I am currently ranking in the top 5 at SIBM Pune, I have won numerous awards in B-School competitions including at IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay, and perhaps, the crowning glory was winning the award for ‘Best Performance in Competitions’ by the end of my first year. I have consciously believed in delivering the best in whatever be the task assigned and this is what, my guess, makes me stand out.

From winning the Silver Medal in under-graduation to leaving two job offers to pursue an MBA, to joining SIBM Pune, I have never rested on my laurels and always had the desire for more. Hence, my favorite tagline- “All In or Nothing”.

If you had unlimited money, what would be that one mobile application that you would create and what problem would it solve?

My mobile application called “Altruistic!” (Altruism + Fantastic) would be an app predominantly targeted to all developing nations and would be applicable to all age groups.

What would the app do? The app would reward people points, for every good or charitable act/habit/practice. The logical follow-up would be that, how to define ‘Good’? The algorithm could include a vast no. of activities. It can start from building toilets to providing water to someone in need. It can range from reporting a crime to joining the police. It can be from properly parking on the road, to buying an electric car. Therefore, every small (or, big) act which has a positive implication would have an incentive. While providing water would fetch 10 points, building a toilet would reward, perhaps 500. Reporting a crime, would perhaps fetch 700, but actively helping a person in need might fetch 1000. Proportional to the act, the points are suitably added. And in turn, these points can be redeemed for things that people might really care about including education, travel, and health. Thus, improving the quality of life all around!

However, how to take a note of each act? Firstly, the app would need to be on at all times. Secondly, it would require camera’s (similar to the CCTVs) pervasive across society to take note of every good deed, with face recognition in place (Unlimited money, after all!) However, such an idea can be sold to corporations as well, for better employee engagement.

While this may have a tinge of science fiction at present, this app may perhaps be one of the ways to tackle the increasing despondency. The app would help people to change for the better, even if for an incentive. Since, every small act is taken note, it would encourage more people to try to be good.

Would you not try it, if your friend asked you to? And, would it not be a better place where a person in need of medical attention is provided help instead of just gawking? Would it not be better to contribute to the betterment of environment? Would it not better to reward altruism to encourage more people to be just, good? 

 

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