IIM Shillong And The Days Of Learning

Sustainability is something which resonates with IIM Shillong. All the participants go through the foundation course in the first month itself. The foundation course is truly enlightening. After the six days of learning various dimensions of sustainability, we were lucky enough to go trekking with the whole batch. The course could not have ended better. The trip started around 6 in the morning and we were among the first few who reached there. The weather was chilly with frequent mild showers. We were divided into small groups and were assigned a guide for each group on reaching our first destination, the sacred groves of Mawphlang. While we were entering the forest, our guide was continuously helping us with all the tree and orchids there. He told us about the history of the forest and the way the people have contributed to keeping the forest intact. We were not allowed to go near the more valuable trees which were used for medicinal purposes.

Then we proceeded towards the hanging bridge which had a beautiful view and also saw the amazing amphitheatre. The breakfast was ready till then; Tapas sir ensured everyone had breakfast and tea. After that, we all headed to our respective buses and went to Mawphlang dam which was also a wonderful site to watch. The air was fresh, the breeze replenished our senses and the roar of the water like a symphony grazing through our ears. After enjoying there for about 45 minutes, we reached the trek starting point. Before that, we had lunch at Riverside with the whole batch.

The trek was an awesome experience and I realized it becomes a lot easier when you travel in groups looking out for each other. We had a lot of fun singing and dancing whole way and clicking pictures with Mother Nature every 10 minutes. Tapas Sir, our faculty, ensured that every single one of us returned in time before sunset.

A week-long course which ended with a trek amidst the sacred forest and the majestic mountains gave me altogether a different perspective of how sustainability starts from an individual and adds value to the lives of the people around you. In the Scotland of the East, our campus is an ideal place to unwind, let your creative juices flow, admire the selfless, self-content attitude of the locals while you are on your way of the best two years of your life.

The Campus in Clouds reminds you with every passing day that it is not about the money but compassion, for the people around you and for Mother Nature.

Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?

Intrigued by the consumer behavior towards various fashion products and how their purchase decision keeps changing with the advent of new fashion brands, my dream company under the ABG umbrella has always been Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited especially the Madura Fashion division which is the custodian of the top four fashion brands of India. With a genuine interest in the marketing domain, I want to work, learn and grow with the company.

An opportunity to interact and work alongside professionals in ABFRL with such stiff competition from the market will provide me a holistic picture of the fashion industry which has always been my dream as a budding manager.

Utkarsh Tiwari

PGP 2nd Year

IIM Shillong