In our list of India's Best 50 - the 50 Most Employable Students from the Class of 2021-23, we feature MBA students who have walked that extra mile and done that little more to stand out! One of those featured in today's story, Shashwati Agrahari, has shown an incredible amount of passion to achieve her true potential. Read on and find out her story!
The following are Shashwati Agrahari’s set of responses to a questionnaire floated amongst MBA graduates to determine the top 50 Most Employable MBA Graduates of the Class of 2023. Amongst the massive number of entries and responses being evaluated, Shashwati's story and profile stood out. Here's her story in her own words.
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.
My family went through 3 health emergencies in 2020. My grandmother passed away, my Father was diagnosed with Covid-19, and my mother had Dengue. It coincided with the time of lockdown when my workplace was shut and its account receivables were an all-time high. All work deals were stopped. I resorted to multitasking. I was cooking three meals a day for my sick parents during the lockdown. Began work as soon as unlock happened to keep afloat and was preparing for CAT at night. By the end of the year, I was able to retain my clientele and reduce the account receivables and both my parents were healthy. And now, I am part of IIM Shillong.
When was the last time someone relied on you? OR What did you do which was purely for someone else - a truly selfless act?
I have been actively involved in social service. I have taught underprivileged children. During the pandemic, I have actively contributed to distributing food and basic need package impacting more than 200 people and their families. I also extended support to campaigns related to vaccination drives and spreading awareness about the COVID guidelines.
Tell us about a time when you disagreed with an opinion/idea/decision. What did you do about it?
Expanding my business in a new area exposed me to previously unknown issues. The religion of one of my stakeholders became an issue for a client and a few others. This led to the failure of several deals that I wanted to pursue. Having known that the stakeholder is efficient in his work, I made it my mission to explain to my clients his glorious records. I made documents highlighting his work and the potential return on investments. In the end, it worked out, and all the work was appreciated.
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 that has led you to do deep work in that field?
I have a Bachelors degree in Economics and Masters degree in Development Studies. Both my degrees have enabled my research orientation. Data skills have been a crucial part of my education & work experience. I am always engaged and curious about the projects, which require me to brainstorm, form linkages with the Indian economy or any ongoing recent developments and conduct research work secondary/primary or qualitative/quantitative. I find the assignments, which expect m analysis, more interesting.
If 10 Million Dollars (approximately INR 75 Crores) is given to you to use it any way you deem fit what would you do with this corpus?
I would create an Impact Investing Fund and push it to have multiplying effect in my surroundings.
***
As per government tax payers' data and our assessment, only about 6,00,000 Indian taxpayers earn an annual 'salaried' income of INR 30 lacs or above. And only 11,00,000 Indian taxpayers earn a 'total' income of INR 30 lacs or more.
Have you ever considered how much time it would take for you to be amongst these top 0.5% earners in India?
Find out here!