CORPORATE BAITHAK

CORPORATE BAITHAK

Stories | Strategies | Wisdom

September 3, 2026 — The International School of Informatics & Management (IIIM) hosted Corporate Baithak, a panel discussion with industry leaders and alumni, under the Alumni–Institute Interface Series (AIIS)—an initiative of the IIIM Alumni Association (IIIMAA).

The session brought together Mr. Apurav Singh, Senior Area Sales Manager, Nippon Paint India Pvt. Ltd.; Ms. Sakshi Khandelwal, Director, Dr. B. Lal Clinical Laboratory; Mr. Himanshu Sharma, Channel Manager–Rajasthan Zone, Hinduja Housing Finance; and Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, Deputy General Manager, PVR INOX Limited. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Rajat Upadhyay, Founder, Newness Architecture.

Representing five distinct professional journeys, the speakers came together for one candid conversation on struggle, self-belief, learning, leadership and professional relevance. Instead of offering polished success stories, they spoke openly about the experiences and decisions that shaped their careers beyond the classroom.

Moderator Mr. Rajat Upadhyay steered the conversation with warmth and meticulous preparation. His questions reflected a deep understanding of each panellist’s journey and drew out specific insights that students could relate to and learn from. He did not merely facilitate the discussion; he also shared lessons from his own professional experience. His closing message, “Keep your surface area broad,” encouraged students to stay curious, explore different fields and remain open to opportunities beyond their immediate interests.

Mr. Himanshu Sharma spoke candidly about the value of difficult experiences, reminding students that struggle makes a person stronger. He urged them to extend their learning beyond the classroom by participating in college events, interacting with professionals and treating networking as an essential part of their development. His advice gave students practical steps they could take immediately, rather than waiting until graduation to prepare for corporate life.

Self-belief and clarity of thought formed the core of Mr. Apurav Singh’s message. He encouraged students to trust their abilities while developing a clear understanding of what they want to achieve. At the same time, he reinforced the lasting importance of classroom learning. The theories taught during college, he explained, remain relevant throughout one’s professional life, even when their value may not be immediately visible. Coming from an experienced industry professional, his words strengthened the connection between academic foundations and workplace decision-making.

For Ms. Sakshi Khandelwal, the session was an opportunity to share an inspiring journey—from being hired as an intern at Bharti Airtel to leading an organisation of nearly 600 people at Dr. B. Lal Clinical Laboratory. Her story resonated strongly with the students, especially the young women in the audience, as an example of how learning, experience and persistence can gradually expand the scale of one’s leadership.

Her advice was direct and action-oriented: dream big, gain real-life experience, learn first and then lead, and never hesitate to get your hands dirty. Her memorable line, “Boring is fun—make yourself relevant,” was one of the most discussed takeaways after the session. Behind it was a powerful professional lesson: consistency, discipline, and the willingness to master everyday responsibilities often make an individual truly valuable to an organisation.

Returning to his alma mater, Mr. Pankaj Agarwal reflected on his journey from being an IIIM student during 2007–2009 to becoming Deputy General Manager at PVR INOX Limited. His presence made the conversation especially meaningful, as students heard from someone who had once studied on the same campus and later built a successful corporate career.

Mr. Agarwal reminded students that it is not important where one starts, but how one sails through the journey and reaches the final destination. Speaking about difficult phases in a career, he advised students to seek guidance from mentors, remain connected with people and build relationships they can rely on. He also encouraged them to understand how their work contributes to the organisation’s growth: help the company earn, consistently create value and become indispensable through the quality of one’s contribution.

One theme emerged repeatedly: professional success is not defined by positions or designations alone. It begins with curiosity, self-belief, meaningful relationships, a strong academic foundation and a willingness to learn through struggle.

Corporate Baithak session closed on an honest and inspiring note, leaving students with advice rooted in lived experience. The session reinforced that careers are built not only through knowledge, but also through resilience, relevance, networking and the courage to keep learning.