Q. Looking at the vast client base of MakeMyTrip, how do you exercise your management skills to excellence?

A. MakeMyTrip is a marketplace model which means if you want to sell something, you come to my platform; I bring the customers, show them the product and give you sales. And about the heavy client base, a client is two-fold. First is the consumer base that comes to my website, and second are the people who want to sell through my platform. So whenever we have to solve a problem for both of them, there are two things: how your platform is user-friendly to get sellers on board and then how you are showcasing relevant stuff to the customers to purchase the data.


Q. What would you want to relive if you get a chance to travel back in time to college?

A. The two things I miss the most are college fests like Saturnalia and Izhaar and the freedom which we had back then. Perhaps, the time when we enjoyed a milkshake in the cafeteria is never coming back. Hence, if you get a chance to travel back in time to college these are a few things I would love to relive.


Q. What bit of advice would you like to give to a student aspiring to pursue a career in a management position?

A. One of the most crucial things for any student, not necessarily going for a management position, is to find a coach or a mentor, whom you can seek advice from, to shape yourself better. Secondly, if you are going for post-graduation, opt for a college with a good resident faculty. Lastly, never be shy of going for a couple of work experiences before post-graduation.


Q. How has the working experiences at different companies moulded you for the future?

A. There are two ways in which people progress; One is sticking to a single industry and the other is building a really strong vertical strength in that company, I chose the other. One thing I learnt by working at different companies was understanding the customer needs and how to solve different problem statements quickly and efficiently no matter what field I am working for.


Q. What societies/clubs were you a part of and how did they serve you on a personal level?

A. According to me, a person should never join a club to get a placement but to gain exposure and build connections. At my time, there were not many of them, however, I was a part of dramatics and it helped me develop my confidence and personality. But at the same time, don’t get too engrossed in anything and maintain your academic performance as well.


Q. Since the theme for this edition of Echoes is ‘Timed Vovage: A Journey Through Time’, have you witnessed any changes in Thapar through the years?

A. Thapar has evolved from an engineering institute to a full-fledged University. I observed several positives and was amazed to see the development of the campus. Moreover, I noticed that Thapar is expanding in various fields like management and liberal arts as well which I think will be very helpful in the long run. I feel the college is doing absolutely fantastic in building new infrastructure and expanding in distinct streams.


Q. Do you think there is a change in students, in regard to an academic career and socializing skills, if compared to your time?

A. Yes, definitely. One massive change I observed in the students is their ability and willingness to undertake risks at early stages of their life. Nowadays, the kids have become a lot more experimental and their parents have become considerable and supportive. Perhaps, the confidence in students these days is multifolds of what it used to be and the amount of exposure they are getting is phenomenal.