Gently, you can shake the world

"Like the cascading waves, students pass out from our educational institutions every year, and you hardly come to know the ripples they are creating in the profession or enterprise they are pursuing. You may be unaware that their stature has grown from a sapling in the college campus to a large tree that has branched out wide, into a success story that deserves accolades"

Greetings for the new year and for new beginnings. The year 2020 has left an indelible mark in all aspects of life. It has impacted each and every one of us from a commoner to a billionaire, from an underdeveloped economy to a developed one, from a toddler to a senior and many more. And yet, the human spirit has made it possible for us to adapt and be agile to face the changes that were forced upon us without any warning. Technology has penetrated our daily life in ways that many of us could not have imagined. Just before the world changed upside down, I got admitted to a hospital in Singapore for my health-related problems.

Whenever I visited any city in India or abroad, many alumni come and meet me and spend time with me. It gives me immense pleasure to see them growing happily both professionally and personally.

Like the cascading waves, students pass out from our educational institutions every year, and you hardly come to know the ripples they are creating in the profession or enterprise they are pursuing. You may be unaware that their stature has grown from a sapling in the college campus to a large tree that has branched out wide, into a success story that deserves accolades. This thought hit me like the flash of lightning when a few alumni came down to meet me.

In front of me were my students of the first batch of the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), which I founded and was also the Director. They had passed out more then two decades ago when they were boys and girls and were waiting in the wings to plunge into the corporate world. The most extraordinary moment for any teacher is something similar to a gardener’s ecstasy of seeing the sapling he has sown, grown into a full-fledged healthy tree.

"Since I pursued my management studies at the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) while I was serving in the Army, I felt a need for a dedicated MBA institute for Armed Forces personnel and their children. I put up this idea to Dr S B Mujumdar, now, Chancellor of Symbiosis International University who readily agreed. I worked to make it happen in reality. Thus, I became its Director"

I posted about my sojourn to Singapore for my treatment, through my Facebook. There, I had mentioned my flight details too. However, I never imagined that on foreign soil, anybody would go out of his or her way to show politeness and concern for someone they knew two decades ago. I was pleasantly surprised to see Manish Verma and his wife, Nisha, along with Vikram Bhel who also holds a senior position in the industry. I reiterate, they came to meet me without any personal communication to them about my arrival! My post on Facebook was enough for them to rush to see me. I was indeed elated at their gesture of gratitude and respect for their teacher. All of them today, are leading corporate leaders, who have carved a niche for themselves in the corporate world, internationally. I felt like a dwarf in front of my students who have grown so much in stature. Happiness and success were written large on their faces, and I joyously gave my blessings. They were the first batch of students of the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), a management institute which was my brainchild. Since I pursued my management studies at the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM) while I was serving in the Army, I felt a need for a dedicated MBA institute for Armed Forces personnel and their children. I put up this idea to Dr S B Mujumdar, now, Chancellor of Symbiosis International University who readily agreed. I worked to make it happen in reality. Thus, I became its Director.

Manish Verma, who adorns the cover page of this Corporate Citizen issue, presently holds the esteemed position of Head HR, Asia Pacific, of the internationally acclaimed multinational company, Cargill. Based in Singapore, he leads a team of 280 HR employees across 11 countries in Asia to deliver the required HR solutions. Manish belonged to the first batch of SIMS (HR), and I’ve observed his unique qualities from thereon, which has carved the path for his admirable success.

"I posted about my sojourn to Singapore for my treatment, through my Facebook. There, I had mentioned my flight details too. However, I never imagined that on foreign soil, anybody would go out of his or her way to show politeness and concern for someone they knew two decades ago"

Manish was a tall and slim student with a calm and composed demeanour. He had an air of innocence about him and a unique combination of being fun-loving in the college premises but disciplined and studious in the classroom. A star student of HR-Manish actively participated in the student council as well as co-curricular activities. However, he would never come in the forefront or yearned for a designation, to make his presence felt. He never sought to steal the limelight but was always the key man, working relentlessly, behind the curtains. That’s why he was a popular student, loved by all.

Manish came to see me at the hospital too; despite his busy schedule regularly. Of course, he interacted more with Prof. B. Parandhaman, Principal Director of Sri Balaji University, as visitors were not allowed to meet me. Manish and Parandhaman exchanged thoughts on how the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting all sectors of the industry and what impact it has had on HR. The HR department has borne the maximum brunt of the pandemic with employees working from home and the near absence of mobility, productivity, market and finances. How could a company perform on all fronts? Manish gave many good suggestions, thus proving his capability in handling an unprecedented crisis that has stalled the world. He and his wife were so courteous to me that Singapore felt like a second home. He has grown and had set an example for his batchmates and also to SIMS.

Looking back I feel proud that the thousands of Corporate Citizens are fighting parallel battles in the industry and I’m proud of Manish, Nisha and many others who are my students. My blessings are with all the alumni. May the new year bring a lot of happiness, success and glory to all about whom we all are very proud of.

I take this opportunity to wish them the best. To Manish, I would like to conclude with Mahatma Gandhi’s saying - “gently, you can shake the world”. Manish indeed has conquered, calmly and courageously.