Rural Retailing-An alumnus perspectivee

Pragya Chaturvedi, a SPJIMR 2008 alumnusworks as Head, Bharti Retail at its four easyday stores in Sangrur and Patiala. Among the many challenging tasks she performs, includes the task of managing a diverse teamof college and school-dropouts, retirees, housewives, the physically challenged and fruit and vegetable cart sellers. She handles with ease the cross functional operational tasks ranging fromProcurement, Marketing tie-ups to Finance and HR.

The key to Pragya's success has been her ability to motivate her workforce and develop a strong emotional connect with her store employees and their families. Theworkforce has embraced her whole-heartedly and regards her as a 'Mother figure' rather than a boss.

Pragya believes Bharti retail stint has given her the perfect launch-pad for the future in Indian rural sector which holds tremendous opportunity for management that the Bharti retail stint has given her the perfect launch-pad for the future in Indian rural sector which holds graduates. Buoyed by her experience; she looks to write case studies and reports providing insights into the rural sector which she regards as the “Real India”.