Testimonial

Dear Sir and Administrative Team,

I am writing with immense gratitude and a sense of fulfilment to share a significant milestone in my professional journey, which has been deeply shaped by my experience as part of the EMBAA (Executive MBA in Analytics) 2023–25 cohort at IIM Kashipur.

Upon completing the program, I was fortunate to receive multiple prestigious offers, including:

1. Chief General Manager (CGM) at Hindalco – Aditya Birla Group, Mumbai Corporate Office
2. AVP – Projects at KPMG (Mining & Metal division)
3. Associate Project Head – Mining Vertical at National Critical Minerals Mission, Ministry of Mines
4. Project Manager – Centre of Excellence (CoE) for AI/ML in Mining & Mineral Industry at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad

These opportunities are a testament not only to the transformative value of this program but also to the support and learning ecosystem that IIM Kashipur provides.

That said, this success comes after a particularly turbulent chapter in my career. In early February 2025, I was compelled to resign—on just a week's notice—from my previous role at Maheshwari Mining Pvt. Ltd. due to my principled stand against certain flawed management practices. My efforts to transition the organization from being person-dependent to process-driven met with resistance at the highest levels.

The two months that followed—February and March—were undoubtedly among the most challenging of my professional life. However, I stayed resilient, prepared rigorously, and focused on leveraging my learning. By April, I had successfully navigated multiple interview processes, and on April 22nd, I received what I consider a turning point in my career—the opportunity to join Mahalaxmi Group as Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Deputy COO).

Over the past two months, I had been working with Mahalaxmi Group as an external consultant, leading strategic improvement projects in their mining and power divisions. What began as a freelance engagement has now evolved into a formal leadership position, directly reporting to the Chairman & CMD. The organization spans over ₹3000 Crores in revenue across 13 industrial verticals, and this role allows me to drive systemic transformation across all of them.

Reflecting on this journey, I am reminded of one of the greatest takeaways from the past experiences — “Success is not a destination, but a journey toward a purpose.”

This purpose was strengthened through the rich academic and collaborative environment at IIM Kashipur: late-night group discussions, shared notes and resources, case-based learning, and industry-relevant lectures that brought theory into actionable context. Each of the six terms sharpened my strategic thinking and operational lens, allowing me to blend classroom insights with 14 years of on-ground experience in the Mining and Metals sector, operations, consulting, and digital transformation.

I remain profoundly grateful to all the professors, program leaders, and administrative staff who ensured a seamless and enriching academic experience. I also wish to express my deepest appreciation to my family, whose unwavering support and sacrifices, especially during weekends and holidays, kept me grounded and motivated.

Last but by no means least, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all those who stood by me and contributed immensely to my learning journey over the past two years.

A special note of appreciation to our Class Representatives — Tavishi Pandey, Utpal Kumar, and Ekta Chandrakar — for their tireless coordination, often extending past midnight, ensuring smooth communication and updates.

To our Batch Coordinators and ever-reliable helping hands, Renu Sharma and Akash Bhai, thank you for your consistent support and presence throughout the program.

To our senior batchmates and peers, whose rich experience and thoughtful inputs made a big difference in several discussions — Ananda Narayana, Bikash Chowbey, Prakash Sir, Sandip Dada, Rajkumar Patel, Chandan Kumar, Sumit Rana, MD Rahaman, Ritunjay, and Kameshwaram — thank you for the immense learning you offered through your contributions on key topics and case discussions.

A special mention to my best batchmate, Rahul Deo Singh, whose detailed notes, timely guidance on missed classes and complex topics, and unwavering support in all software-related subjects and project discussions made a tremendous difference. Your help, particularly during exams and while framing project ideas, was truly invaluable.

To my project group members — Umesh Pathak, Shubham, Sanket, Yagnesh, Arka, Iman, Dipanitwa, Vinod Kumar, Vedant Patil, Shibam Sahoo, and Pranshoo Jaiswal — thank you for your collaboration, dedication, and teamwork. Without your collective effort, completing this two-year EMBAA journey would not have been possible.

I look forward to meeting many of you during the convocation and sharing more about this experience in person.

Best Regards,