'Expect The Unexpected, Believe The Unbelievable, Achieve The Unachievable' - Amit Kumar Das, IIM Shillong - Best30 - Class Of 2019

Amit Kumar Das is currently a 2nd year student pursuing the PGDM Course in IIM Shillong. Having completed an enriching 2-year work stint at Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Amit has had a recent stint in the marketing department at Tata Steel as a summer intern. In the professional front Amit Kumar Das is known to be a prolific team-player having been awarded with the “Employee Achievement Award” in his short stay by India’s largest automobile manufacturer for his dedicated customer-centric initiatives and suggestions. Amit Kumar Das hails from the town of Howrah and has been particularly interested in competitive quizzing which stemmed out the interest of exploratory travel. Amit believes that the main purpose of his life is to make someone else’s better. He might not scale mountains or create a million job opportunities, but he would, in his own way bring a sustainable and impactful change in the society. Amit does not wish to be remembered by the medals, trophies and other laurels that he might earn, but by the little positive ripples that he hopes to create.   Name an instance where you wanted something and went out of your comfort zone to achieve it OR Tell us the biggest risk you have taken so far in your life.

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

-    Winston Churchill

It was the year of 1998; I was one among 100 participants in the Annual Regional Yoga contest. Apart from the three mandatory asanas, these competitions required a participant to perform an optional asana. This asana in more cases than not would be the rank determinant. The uphill task I had chosen was the Setu-Bandha Sirsana, an asana which required you to form a 360-degree posture only on the balance of your legs. I had unfortunately sprained my right ankle on the 3rd mandatory posture. My teacher aggressively warned me against going ahead in the competition lest I should face the possibility of a ligament-tear.

I was nonetheless resolute in my determination and would not let all the hard work go in vain. In excruciating pain, I stretched myself to the limit and performed the optional posture concealing all hints of pain. I was awarded the 2nd place in my group for my performance.

This incident stands a true testimony to my dogged determination with which I have approached all tasks in my life ahead.

  When was the last time someone relied on you? OR What did you do which was purely for someone else - a truly selfless act.

During my final year of Engineering (B. Tech) studies, I came across a crying problem which would open up a defining chapter in my life and egg me on to keep on taking newer initiatives.

Durgapur was an established industry-based city with dozens of flourishing industries already co-existing. Though our institute (NIT Durgapur) was situated at the heart of the city, there was not much contribution that these industries could provide to the core domain of Mechanical Engineering when it came to Summer Internships. The usual routine of applying through informal channels and wait in hopes of a successful convert, was the only route left for students.

The initiative of Mechanical Engineering Students Association then cropped up when my friend and I discussed this issue with the Head of the Department, Mechanical Engineering, Dr. A.K Saha. Saha Sir had come out in support of this initiative which would ultimately build a platform for industry personnel to interact with the students and open up avenues for summer internship opportunities.

It later on culminated as an Industry-Institute interaction initiative and today even after graduating from NIT Durgapur, MESA is in its 4th year of operation providing a closely bonded relationship between our institute and the industries in the vicinity.

  What is the one thing you can claim to have some level of expertise or depth of knowledge in - it could be anything - a subject, a sport, a hobby, a venture, an initiative which has led you to do deep work in that field?

From Renaissance paintings of Michelangelo and Da Vinci, to Impressionist paintings by Van Gogh and Monet; from the minimalist times of Andy Warhol to the Street Arts by Shepherd Fairie and Banksy, I make a point to know about them all. Each painting springs up a unique story which might be inspired by actual incidents or religious folklore; nevertheless, the journey of a painting from the artist’s brush stroke to being worth millions of dollars is something which excites me to the core.

The word “Amit” means infinite and boundless and in many ways than not it is a reflection of my curious and inquisitive nature. This is probably why, I have been attracted towards competitive quizzing since my school days.

The whizzing noise of fast-paced cars have always been music to my ears which was a major driver in me opting for the job of an internal consultant at Maruti Suzuki.

Expect the unexpected, believe the unbelievable, achieve the unachievable. I have always lived by those words."