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Bhavan's SPJIMR Alumni Newsletter
June 2025 |
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Update |
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SPJIMR’s TEDx 2025 |
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SPJIMR’s TEDx: Uncharted Territories
Exploration isn’t always about venturing into remote terrains or scaling the world’s tallest peaks. Sometimes, it’s about challenging assumptions, stepping outside comfort zones, and pursuing ideas that can reshape business and society. That spirit was at the heart of SPJIMR’s first-ever TEDx event, held on March 2, 2025, under the theme “Uncharted Territories."
Organized independently in the TED conference format, TEDxSPJIMR embodied the institute’s commitment to nurturing leaders who are not only equipped to thrive in the world as it is, but also driven to imagine the world as it could be.
Five remarkable speakers took the stage to share personal and powerful stories—each redefining exploration as an inward, intentional, and transformative pursuit.
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Prof. Felix Bast – Scientist & Antarctic Explorer
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Felix Bast took the audience deep into the icy wilderness of Antarctica, narrating his journey with the 36th Indian Scientific Expedition. From intense ITBP-led training in the Himalayas to the stunning but fragile ecosystems at the Bharati and Maitri stations, his tale underscored how scientific exploration often begins with a childhood motto “Be Prepared.” He also exposed the dark side of climate change, highlighting how microplastics and warming are silently altering the polar world.
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Vinay Shetty – Blood Donation Pioneer & Thalassemia Advocate
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For over 30 years, Vinay has worked to ensure no Thalassemia patient suffers due to a lack of blood. His powerful talk focused on how a single blood test could prevent a lifetime of transfusions, if only more people knew. His exploration? Creating systemic change where silence once prevailed—connecting hospitals, NGOs, and governments to save lives.
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Satyarup Siddhanta – Guinness World Record Mountaineer
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Satyarup’s impossible dream took him to the tallest peaks and deepest volcanoes on all seven continents, despite once struggling to run 100 metres due to asthma. His journey taught the audience that resilience is built when you choose to keep going—even when the summit feels out of reach. Today, he coaches others to discover their own 'true north'.
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Shubhasish Chakraborty – Social Scientist & Storyteller
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Shubhasish Chakraborty – Social Scientist & Storyteller
What if the path to sustainability lies in reviving ancient art? Shubhasish challenged the audience to rethink development—not as charity, but as cultural and emotional investment. Through Chhau dance, indigenous education, and community leadership, he’s helping tribal communities find their own voice, reminding us that exploration can begin with listening.
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Shruti Singh – Sustainability Leader in Fashion
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Shruti’s talk exposed the ecological cost of what we wear. As a driving force at Canopy and co-founder of Fashion Revolution India, she advocates for forest-free fibres and circular fashion. Her exploration lies in weaving together environmental policy, design, and activism—pushing the fashion industry into a more ethical, equitable future.
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Abhyudaya |
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Sky is not the limit: Sitaras Take Aim at JEE and NEET After Stellar Board Results |
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From strong State Board performances to now setting their sights on India’s toughest entrance exams, the Sitaras are aiming higher than ever. Two students from the Sitara programme will now begin preparing for the prestigious Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), while another is gearing up for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a first in recent years and a bold leap for the community-led education initiative.
Their aspirations come on the back of encouraging results in the 2025 State Board exams. Thirty-seven Sitaras — 23 girls and 14 boys — appeared for the Class 10 SSC exams and achieved a perfect 100% pass rate. The group averaged 78.18%, with scores ranging from 61.4% to 91%. Among them, 25 students have opted to pursue Commerce in junior college, while 12 have chosen the Science stream, with some planning to pursue Diplomas in Engineering.
In Class 12 (HSC), 42 Sitaras, 31 girls and 11 boys, appeared for the exams: 23 from Commerce, 17 from Science, and 2 from Arts. The average score stood at 62.7%, with each student showing significant improvement since Class 11. Karthik Poojari made Sitara history by scoring 89%, the highest Class 12 score recorded since the programme began in 2008.
With one foot firmly planted in academic achievement and the other reaching toward dreams of engineering and medicine, these Sitaras are proving that with hard work, support, and the right opportunities, the sky is not the limit but just the beginning.
To know more click here |
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Wise Innovation Studio for Emerging Technologies (WISE Tech) |
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The Drone Revolution Quietly Taking Off: Will Jobs and Privacy Be Left Behind? |
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India is turning the tide on plastic pollution with a surge in sustainable packaging innovations. As highlighted in WISE Tech Insights, startups and industry leaders are leveraging biodegradable materials, recycled inputs, and circular economy principles to revolutionize the packaging sector.
This "waste to wow" movement marks a significant shift toward eco-conscious production, aligning with global climate goals while creating new opportunities in green tech and manufacturing.
Read more here |
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Alumni Focus |
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Notable Alumni |
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Priya Rege Jaggi (PGDM, Class of 2008) has been featured in the prestigious Impact 40 Under 40 list, which recognises young leaders driving change in the media, advertising, and marketing. Read more here
Rudra Prasad Nanjundappa (PGDM, Class of 2005) (PGDM 2005) has been appointed Chief Customer Officer at Kapture CX. Read more here
Ayush Agarwal (PGDM, Class of 2011) has authored a book titled 'Good Night Seher' and co-authored 'Play Along with Shaurya' with Karuna Hemrajani (PGDM, Class of 2011). Words come easily to the duo. Read more here
Radha Mohan Gupta (PGDM, Class of 1995) for being part of the Grand Jury of the prestigious SCM Awards 2025. Read more here
Ainesh Pradhan (PGCIM/GMP, Class of 2015) has taken on the role of GIC's Assistant Vice-President in the UK. Read more here
Aashutosh Aggarwal PGEMP class of 2021) has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of Simon India Ltd- An Adventz Company. Read more here
Ritu Arora (PGDM 1996) featured on Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women In Business list. Read more here
Saswat Biswas (GMP, Class of 2017) was one of the recipients of the 2025 QI Product Manager Award by Products That Count. Read more here |
Share your success stories in brief at alumni.admin@spjimr.org, and include the relevant hyperlink
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Prajwal Kalame (PGDM, 2024) Management Trainee at JM Financial attended Global Impact Project 2025 on June 2nd, 2025 he spoke about working with Safai Karmachari Andolan in Udaipur, focusing on health, sanitation, and awareness among manual scavengers. |
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Ritu Saha (PGDM, 2024)
Leadership Associate at Aditya Birla Group discussed her experience with CECOEDECON in Jaipur, highlighting women-led enterprises and challenges faced by farmers. |
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Upcoming Events |
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| Register Now! |
The Alumni Night is your chance to spot that ex-classmate in a crowd and maybe even pull a fast one on him, for old times’ sake. It is true, it has been a while since we all gathered under one umbrella (quite literally, thanks to monsoon season), so it is high time we caught up and let it rain memories. Whether you are fresh out or it has been years since you walked the hallowed halls of SPJIMR, this is your moment to reconnect, reminisce, and relive those golden days when campus life was all fun and happening.
Join us for an evening of stories, laughter, hugs, high-fives, and maybe even a little nostalgia-induced dancing.
Save the Date!
📆Date: Thursday, July 10th, 2025
⏲️Time: 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
📍Venue: Capital Social Ground Floor, The Capital, Unit 3, G Block Rd, BKC, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400051.
Registration Fees:
Early Bird (till July 4th): ₹1,000 per person Standard Rate (after July 4th): ₹1,700 per person
(Food + Beverages included – because what’s a reunion without some good eats and chilled drinks?) Let us make this reunion, one for the books.
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Events |
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Melbourne Alumni gathered for a fun-filled meet on June 4th, 2025.
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Past Imperfect Episode 20: Manu S. Pillai on Missionaries, Reformers, and the Making of Modern Hinduism
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Sapience Episode 11: An exploration of mindfulness in the context of economics, leadership and culture
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Online Merchandise |
Order SPJIMR merchandise online and have them delivered to your doorstep, anywhere in India, using the ‘Campus Mall’.
Click on the E-store - Campus Mall
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Read our earlier newsletters here |
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Waiting to get on the SPJIMR Alumni portal & app?
- Click here to register on the portal. - Click here to download the App for iOS and here for Android.
Changed your job, city or contact details?
- Help us update here. |
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