Mumbai-born Shailesh Jejurikar, 58, is all set to lead the 188-year-old Procter & Gamble (P&G). Jejurikar studied at Hyderabad Public School which counts Satya Nadella, Ajay Pal Banga, Shantanu Narayen, Harsha Bhogle, in addition to cine stars Nagarjuna and Ram Charan, and many political personalities as its alumni. Nadella was Jejurikar’s classmate. After Mumbai University, Jejurikar did an MBA from IIM Lucknow.
Like other top IIMs, IIM Lucknow has a large number of illustrious alumni. The B-school was in the news for another reason, a couple of years ago -- it reached out to its alumni network after facing some anxious moments during placements. All passing students were then suitably placed, said reports.
Alumni networks are influential and powerful. When it comes to IITs and IIMs, their alumni are in a different league altogether. Whether in India or abroad, they are India’s finest brand ambassadors, too.
A good number of India-born CEOs, helming global corporations, are known to have the IIT-IIM pedigree. The IIT-IIM tag is hugely popular among CEOs of Indian companies, and those aspiring to lead such companies. NR Narayana Murthy, who was the Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM A, for four years, would often stress on the “need to make use of the institute’s huge alumni network to provide mentoring as well as other support”.
This is probably appreciated at the highest level, too. Addressing a pan-IIT Global Summit on December 4, 2020, PM Narendra Modi said: “…I urge the pan-IIT movement to set an even higher benchmark on ‘Giving back to India’. Your efforts for your alma mater are well known and inspiring. I know that many of you mentor your juniors in choosing the right career paths – whether in academia or industry. Today, many of them want to start their own ventures. They are bright and confident youngsters trying to make a mark through hard work and innovation. …I invite you to mentor them in these efforts too…”
He added: “… Today, a large number of IIT alumni are in global leadership positions. Your strong networks are spread across industry, academia, arts, governments. You are there in practically every sphere of human activity and excellence. I myself interact with one or more of your tribe every week, if not every day! I urge you to debate, discuss and contribute to solutions in the emerging New World Tech Order…”
While India undergoes far-reaching changes, and its stock rises in the world order -- even if there are multiple challenges back home, there is probably even a greater need for engagement with these alumni groups. Faced with an uncertain environment, including in the US, and an increasingly complex world order, alumni networks, especially the powerful IIT, IIM alumni groups, can be a force for good and also be made to champion some of India’s core concerns. |
