There is no greater joy than the joy of seeing your dream become a reality in front of your eyes. The late hours, the physical exhaustion, the mental stress and all else seems worth it when the dream is realised. One such man who has been one of the biggest supports to the cause of IIPM is Prof. Partho Sengupta. A man, whose unending support ensured that Dr. M. K. Chaudhuri had enough time to concentrate on strategic issues. A man whose relentless drive saw him meet and effectively beat deadlines. A man who himself undertook the IIPM program so that he could feel the change that he was proposing to others. His loyalty is incomparable as he reaches his 22nd year at Relaxo.
Many people feel that the legendary TS Eliot is a poet whom you study rather than read. A dedicated Prof. Sengupta makes us feel the same when he states that one can achieve great heights not just merely by being swashbuckling and brilliant, but also through an analytical approach based out of concepts that cater to practicality. Prof. Sengupts’s support to the IIPM cause is beyond any measure. When the institute was starting off the program with its first batch of students coming in and joining, Prof Sengupta was there to welcome the students at the office in Greater Kailash. His love for the institute and the teaching profession has grown through the years and he looks forward to take up teaching again.
“Dr. M.K. CHAUDHURI NEVER COMPROMISED ON ACADEM – ICS AND INCULCATED A HUMAN ANGLE IN THE TEACHINGS & Learnings”
It won’t be an understatement that Prof. Sengupta can be branded as ‘vintage’ in terms of IIPM as an establishment. The prolific IIPM visionary Dr. MK Chaudhuri along with his wife Mrs. Ratna Chaudhuri, and Prof. Sengupta were pretty much the team that laid the foundation stone of what IIPM stands for. Recollecting his old times here, Prof. Sengupta says with a tinge a humour, “I used to teach subjects which people do not like – QT and QT in Marketing!”
Prof. Sengupta’s career began with a job for the HP government. Married, back in 1971, he joined Dr. MK Chaudhuri when he wanted to start an institute. “He planned the idea, and I took the opportunity and came to Delhi in December 1973”, he remembers. Till the commencement of the preliminary batch on august 12th 1974, Prof. Sengupta had to work day and night, for almost 6-7 months. “Since we had to do everything ourselves, we had to put our brains, time, and money completely in it”. Prof. Sengupta and Dr. MK Chaudhuri were then involved in everything, from ground level jobs to administrative work. Prof. Sengupta nostalgically speaks on how he used to be at the Ashoka hotel lobby to promote IIPM almost every day. “We decided on the name of the institute, its logo was designed by Mrs. Ratna Chaudhuri and me”. He adds firmly that, at that point, their strength was their belief that they were working for a cause. “We had a basic inner conviction”, he added.
Owing much of his success to Dr. MK Chaudhuri, Prof. Sengupta said, “He was always taking initiatives and pushed me to excel. I took study leave and did the IIPM course in 1977-79”. He feels that Dr. MK Chaudhuri provided him a lot of encouragement and then Prof. Sengupta went on to teach at IIPM till 1986. He is still remembered as one of the best by his former students. He feels that, back in those days, they faced issues every day and hence facing challenges became a part of life. “It was challenging. It was fun. This was because we had an approach which was based out of a cause”. He feels that despite the hectic curriculum, students did very well. He said, “Our entire focus was on academics. I always believed that if one is taught well and can learn to apply thoughts analytically, he or she can become very good managers”.
Prof. Mitra claims, “Few more leaders are required in the field of teaching with higher levels of passion”. Interested in cooking, classical music, and mythology & sci-fi TV serials, He met his wife Mrs. Chhanda Mitra during his days of MA in Delhi. They have two sons Wrick and Ritwik. And then, he uses the simplest of lines with the most sublime message, “I generally enjoy everything around”. To the young aspirants of today, his message is to try and develop a strong self belief. One should not expect that everything one does is going to be perfect. He explains how making an incremental improvement everyday is important. “As long as you have the spirit to improve, you will end up being a happy person if not the most successful”. He then concludes by stating that at the end of the journey, one must be able to say with pride, “I tried my best”.
Prof. Sengupta moved from IIPM in 1986 to a firm named Mishibishi Electronics. “The MD gave me a chance, and, thereafter, I have never looked back”. He then worked for Salora Group and had to leave because of family issues. In 1990, he joined Relaxo and has been there ever since. “Relaxo was a Rs. 10 Crore company when I joined, and today it is worth Rs. 700 Crore. I feel like I am part of it”. At 61, he still has the vision to keep going till his mind is fertile. “Marketing is something which is ageless. I love it because it is so dynamic by nature”. He explains how in the world of marketing, fresh concepts can seem obsolete within no time. Prof. Sengupta candidly remembers the amazing negotiating skills of Dr. MK Chaudhuri as one of the most interesting learning from him. He feels that the reason that IIPM has become what it is, is solely because of the clear vision of Dr. MK Chaudhuri. “He never compromised on academics and inculcated a human angle in the teachings”, he added. The idea was not just to develop good managers but actually develop good human beings. Prof. Sengupta goes on to add that when Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri joined the IIPM, he brought a paradigm shift. But he still feels that the seeds were sown way back in 1974 for the fruits of today. He reminds of a vintage time when the IIPM library was only three shelves long and prospectus were sold at Rs. 2.50.
The only word that could justify this journey of Prof. Sengupta is, “Epic!” CULT
