ABS ALUMNI OF THE MONTH

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    Question 1:
    When you think of your college days, what’s the first memory that comes to your mind? Was there a particular spot on campus or a small ritual of daily life that made your journey unforgettable?

    Answer:
    Firstly, I am really glad to be here today. I have always believed in trusting myself and being an opportunist. I once came across an interview of Bill Gates where a reporter asked him about the secret of his success. Gates handed the reporter a blank cheque and asked him to fill in any amount. The reporter laughed it off, thinking he was joking, and declined. Gates then took the cheque back and said, “You just missed an opportunity. Even if you had written one lakh dollars, I would have given it to you.” That incident struck me deeply. Since then, I have made it a point to never ignore even the smallest opportunities. This approach has helped me at every step of my journey and made it truly memorable.

    Question 2:
    You were not only a batch topper but also recognized as Student of the Month and known for your proactive involvement in extracurricular activities, truly an all-rounder during your college journey — looking back, how did you manage to balance it all, and what role did this well-rounded approach play in shaping the professional and entrepreneurial success you enjoy today?

    Answer:
    In the beginning, I faced several failures — for almost six months, every competition I entered ended in disappointment. That’s when I realized the need to change my approach. I formed small groups, focused on discussions, and worked on both soft and hard skills.

    Even then, setbacks continued, but each one taught me something. A major turning point was an interschool competition. Though we didn’t win, the preparation — reading newspapers at 8:45 AM before the class started, debating ideas with 3 of my friends, and collaborating — strengthened my skills and confidence.

    Gradually, these efforts improved my academics as well, helping me balance studies and extracurriculars naturally.

    Question 3:
    As a Cluster Manager at Aditya Birla, what does a typical day in your role look like? How do you manage multiple areas/teams under one cluster and ensure consistent performance across all?

    Answer:
    Honestly, what I do today is deeply rooted in what I learnt during my college days. It has been a true journey of turning failures into success. When I first got a team to lead, most of whom were older than me, I initially felt proud and started trying to “teach” them the meaning of marketing. But soon I realized that leadership is not about teaching or preaching. My team didn’t need lectures — they needed trust, support, and emotional assurance from their manager.

    Over time, I understood that it’s less about using big words and more about adapting your approach to the situation. By being empathetic and disciplined, I was able to connect with my team, motivate them, and work together to grow the business. These skills of adaptability and people management, which I first practiced during my college days, have been the foundation of ensuring consistent performance across the cluster.

    Question 4:
    Winning Young Asian Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 is remarkable—what qualities do you think distinguished you from others? 

    Answer:
    Winning the Young Asian Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 was truly special, and in many ways, I feel the journey started right from orientation. Coming from a business family, it was always assumed I would continue in business, but I wanted to build my own skills and carve my own path.

    I realized that even a job is, at its core, about selling — pitching your product or idea to the customer. Inspired by the advice shared by Lalitya Sir during orientation, I focused on identifying an idea that genuinely met customer needs. That’s how SharkP was born — a platform to connect aspiring entrepreneurs with potential investors and funding opportunities.

    At every stage of the competition, I refined the way I presented my idea. For the final round, I even learned to rap from a junior, practicing for hours, and performed my pitch in that unique format. I still remember the judge’s words: “Jo dikhta hai, wo bikta hai. So, it’s Jatin Soni who is the winner today.” Those words continue to inspire me as a reminder of how creativity, persistence, and customer focus set me apart.

    Question 5:
    What mindset shift is most important for students who want to move from being job seekers to job creators?

    Answer:
    The biggest mindset shift is understanding that entrepreneurship is not glamorous at the start. You have to be willing to get your hands dirty, face challenges, and even struggle emotionally in the initial months. If you can endure that phase, you’re already halfway there.

    Equally important is being at the right place, at the right time, and absorbing the right information. During my student days, I made it a point to focus in class, no matter the distractions, and afterwards, I would listen and learn as much as possible from others. That discipline of learning and perseverance is what transforms a job seeker into a job creator.

    One word questions :

    1. Success for you is…- Opportunity
    2. One leadership trait you swear by? Helping People
    3. Entrepreneurship reminds you of…- Great times come after difficult times
    4. Biggest lesson corporate life has taught you? – Adaptability/Change of personality as per the situation
    5. A memory from college you’ll never forget? – The moment I won YEAY’23
    6. Which extracurricular activity shaped you the most? – Poster making Competition with my juniors
    7. If you had 30 seconds to pitch yourself, what would you say? – Zestful & Catalyst
    8. One goal you are chasing next? – Keep learning