Back to Roots: Inspiring Tomorrow’s Leaders through Alumni Stories

The 6th to 8th of September, 2024, went by with the undercurrent of excitement as GSIS celebrated the ‘Back 2 Roots’ and conducted the corresponding mentor sessions. The students from the batch of 1990, now well established professionals were welcomed to mentor the grade 9 to 12 students through five mentor sessions.

 

The students were given a glimpse into the life and career paths of the alumni. They began with  a reflection of their life in GSIS, opening boxes of nostalgia and connecting with our students on a personal level. This smoothly transitioned into conversation of their career and guidance regarding the same. 

 

The mentor sessions were organized into five sessions of which the students chose the ones they wanted to attend. 

The topics discussed ranged from a variety of aspects including,

  •  ‘Artificial Intelligence: Now and Beyond’ addressed by Mr. Ashok Raja, 
  • ‘Careers In Aviation’ by Mr.Dhruv Malkani, 
  • ‘All About Entrepreneurship and business’ by Mr.Kishore Reddy,’ 
  • ‘Sports and the Scope for beyond’ by Mr. Aditya Shetty and 
  • ‘Potpourri: Finance, Retail and Life Experience’ by Mr. Alok Sanghi, Mr.Nikunj Sanganeria and Mr. Siddarth Adeshra. 

 

Mr.Dhruv Malkani led the ‘Careers in Aviation’ session, sharing his journey from U.S. pilot training to joining Blue Dart Aviation and Indian Airlines (now Air India). A captain since 2009, he advanced to Line Training Captain, Type Rated Instructor, Examiner, and Standards Pilot, offering valuable insights into the aviation industry.

Mr.Kishore Reddy led the session on ‘All About Entrepreneurship and Business,’ drawing on his background in Mechanical Engineering and an MS in Automotive Design. With six years of leadership at NITYOTSAVA Roofing Solutions, he shared insights from his experience in automotive, infrastructure, and hospitality industries.

‘Sports and the scope for beyond’ addressed  by Mr. Adithya B.V. Setty, Managing Director of TANSET REALTY PVT LTD, has expanded the firm’s client base globally, handling transactions over INR 1200 crores. He is also a Founding Partner at ANASA Lifespaces in Goa and invests in wellness and sports startups, with 15+ years of experience in real estate and entertainment.

The dynamic trio of Mr. Alok Sanghi, Mr. Nikunj Sanganeria, and Mr. Siddharth Adeshra led the engaging ‘Potpourri’ session, bringing together diverse experiences and perspectives. Alok, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-promoter of Sanghi Cement, shared his insights into global business ventures, while Mr. Nikunj, a fashion retail entrepreneur and former GSIS sportsman, spoke on the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. Mr. Siddharth, a gemologist and fitness enthusiast, inspired with his journey of balancing business leadership with his passion for endurance sports. Together, they captivated the audience with their stories of success, resilience, and personal growth.

Through their stories, the alumni not only shared professional insights but also emphasized the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and pursuing one’s passions. These engaging discussions gave students a clearer sense of the opportunities ahead and the paths they can explore. The alumni also highlighted that career paths are rarely linear; they evolve over time, and being adaptable with the right skill sets is key to success. The sessions served as eye-openers, offering students a realistic perspective on the dynamic nature of careers.