Personal Information
Previous Occupation: Corporate Lawyer
Present Occupation: Business Intelligence - Corporate Investigator
Sector: Corporate Crime and Intelligence
Work Experience: 4 years
Interests – Professional/ Personal

Professional/Personal: Writing, Dancing, Reading, Hitch hiking in a foreign land with no itinerary in hand

Can you tell us a little about your family background/ history? 
I originally belong to Calcutta and have grown up in a joint family. Typical of this, academics was always given priority - however, what was given the most importance was all rounded growth. I come from a family of professionals - my grandmother was a pre independence era graduate - and thus she ensured that we all understood the value of education. My father, sister and brother in law are all engineers who later went into management. My mother is a home maker and a leisure writer. My uncle is an IAS officer and my aunt is a retired Director of Doordarshan, India.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards/ special projects).
I have about 24 national and international publications to my name. I have been the youngest ever speaker at a United Nations meet - 2005, Seoul, Korea. My work has been accredited by World Bank, UNESCO, Indian Government, Australian Government and UK Media to name a few. I mainly write / research on gender studies and economic policies affecting developing nations. Looking into my contribution to policy science at such a young age I was awarded Fellowship by the Royal Society of Arts, UK - during my tenure at ISB.

I am also a published author - my book A Calendar Too Crowded has received rave reviews ever since its release and I was nominated as the Young Indian Writer of 2012. Recently I delivered by first TEDx talk on "Sustainable Development and Nation Building"

Tell us about your profile pre-ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
Before joining ISB, I was working as a legal advisor to ICICI Bank Ltd., Mumbai - mainly in the derivatives and corporate bonds portfolio. I joined ISB mainly because of my interest in risk mitigation strategies and post ISB pursued my goal by joining the world's oldest Corporate Risk Management Firm, Pinkerton at their India headquarters. From being a team member to now leading a team of six and setting strategies, solving corporate trials the progression has been huge and interesting.

Describe your fondest memory at ISB.
My fondest memory would be celebrating Holi at ISB - the crazy fun that we had from dawn to dusk.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
ISB has made me a better person - both professionally and on the personal front. As a professional I have learnt to manage things on my plate much better, courtesy my crazy study groups (oh well, in the most wonderful way as they are my treasures from ISB) I have learnt how never to give up despite something not being your forte, how to stretch your limits and yes always walk into the class room/ work place with a smile despite an all-nighter. On the personal front ISB taught me what true friendships are made up of - I know my speed dials now and also appreciate how they have always stuck by me. They have calmed me down, they have made me loosen up and laugh at my own failings so that bouncing back comes naturally and also that ‘where there are friends there's no pressure to fit in - they accept you for what you are!’

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
Oh yes, yes, yes! In ways more than one - case studies they all use, but for me the learning has been beyond. I have learnt never to give up, to be proactive and that when you decide on something stick to it and you'll discover your passion.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word?
Transmogrifier (Refer - Calvin and Hobbes)

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
The way ISB helped me blend my love for consulting and policy studies. While I strived for consulting roles within classroom, my various projects and research association with CEMS fueled my passion of policy studies and made sure that I never give up on any one dream to achieve the other.

Word of advice for the current class?
Just the way we have one life, there's going to be just this year of your life that you'll always look back upon and smile. Don't try to be somebody, don't try to follow alum footsteps, take directions, know your destination, but decide on the course of journey that suits you the best

What was your favourite course/ class at ISB and why?
I loved all my strategy classes - it would be weird but I loved Corporate Finance classes, no matter how much I cribbed, I think Prof. Chaudhary should be credited for this.

Was there anyone during your time at ISB who acted as a mentor for you? Tell us a little about this relationship and why it was valuable. 
Two people never let me gave up - my quaddie Priyanka Mahajan and my partner in goofs and tears - Vrinda Sahai. They proved to be true mentors for me - they understood where I came from, the dreams I was made of and the initial struggles I was having as a "diversity candidate". From making sure I solve each and every numerical and just not turn in the assignment, to pepping me up, reminding me of my strengths when I thought I'll quit and making me grow up professionally - I owe a lot to them.

What are the areas in which you can contribute to ISB?
I have always believed in the "my school" theorem - this is my Alma Mater and I think I owe it to her to answer my own callings. From acting as mentor, to participating in interview sessions, to course revamps - I'd be glad to contribute.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
Balance - passion and professional forte. I love the thrill of investigation, I love the fact that my courses on Operations, Strategy and Finance are all coming into play and making me realize "Why ISB?” Also, I get to deal with the weirdest of cases, that drive me up the wall but then when you solve a case inches away from the TAT - there's an unmatched sense of satisfaction. 

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see?
With the surge of businesses and the constant pressures of yet another economic downturn anytime around the corner, corporate crime and business intelligence is the key word. Companies want to be sure of their investments and in turn borrowers want to be comforted about the source of money. With the advent of technology, playing around with information has become easy and dangerous - embezzlements are on the rise and people are more and more aware of new methods to commit fraud and / or be a victim to them - as a corporate investigator my role just begins here.

© 2013 Indian School of Business, Disclaimer.