A career that began with intensive sales and then coursed into academics, Prof. Prasoon Majumdar’s journey has been full of concrete establishments and values. He has been the face of the modern day IIPM academics and he has really been a substantial model of solidarity of the basic structure that has propelled a grandeur growth of sheer brilliance. His views on National Economic Planning has propagated each and every sphere of India. Through his weekly column in The Sunday Indian he brings to light the non-conventional yet omnipresent malaise of the society. He is also the editor of The Great Indian Dream magazine which caters to the most striking stories that effects the economy and civil life of Indians at large. Prof. Anirudh Sharma meets him and finds out more about this remarkable voyager of eminence.
Q. Please take us through your journey at IIPM. What have some of the important milestones that you have covered along the way?
A. Being a student of the 1989/91 batch, I joined the institution on 11th of September 1999, when we were students, our second year classes used to be held at Katwaria Sarai, in a two room accommodation. Often in the evening, post our classes, we used to walk down Qutab institutional area to have a cup of tea at one of those road side dhabas. And I remember the way Arindam used to look up at one of those buildings and use to say, one day we would have IIP M here. So it was during the summers of 99, that I saw an Ad of IIPM in the Times of India wherein a building at C-10, Qutab Institutional Area was featured as the IIPM tower. I instantly recalled our conversation which happened almost eight years back and went to meet Arindam, to congratulate him in terms of realizing his dream. And as it was expected, he would never leave out on any of his friend and batchmate to join back. The rest is history…
Q. How did the association with the institute begin?
A. I was in sales, selling telecom products, and had been growing within the industry within a span of eight years. So when I met Arindam, he mooted the idea that I should take classes and that too in economics, considering that I had been one of the better students in that subject for the batch of 91. I still remember telling him that he should give me anything to sell, but not teach as it has been a long while that I have been away from books. But then like always, it was his persistence that won over my resistance. I joined and got back to books and my notes, which I had preserved and prepared myself for over a month, before I stepped into my first class – the UG batch of 1999/2002.
“FOR ME, STUDENTS ARE THE BEST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A TEACHER’S LIFE, FOR THEY GIVE YOU BACK IN HUGE PROPORTIONS, WHAT YOU GIVE THEM”
Q. You are amongst the pioneers who have fueled the growth of the institute in the last two decades. Please share your association with Director Sir / Arindam Sir, other professors / your peers / colleagues / students.
A. My first interaction at IIP M was with Director Sir, and that was when he took my interview at the time of admission. It has been more than two decades and he still remembers my interaction with him. My every meeting with him has been most inspiring as whenever I have met him, it has always been an enriching discussion, wherein all his thoughts/actions has been towards upliftment of the lowest strata of the society and most importantly all his thoughts had been original. Today whatever I am, I owe a lot to him.
My association with Arindam begins as a fellow batchmate. He was always very competitive and a voracious reader. His biggest strength is the way he has been maintaining relations with his childhood friends, batchmates and other colleagues. Visionary from the very beginning, he has always been a great inspiration to all of us. And have this amazing determination to chase his passion, with one hundred percent conviction.
My other teachers like Dr. N R Chatterjee, Prof J K Mitra, Prof M P Gupta, Prof M Adhikary, Prof P K Jain, Prof Amal Sanyal, Prof M C Shukla, Prof Vinesh Chabbra, all of them had indelible mark in shaping up, whatever I am. Our interactions never restricted to classroom but more often than not, off the class. And learning were never ending..
Q. Please share your teaching experiences at IIPM.
A. Whatever I am today, is a reflection of the kind of teachers who taught me at the institution. We were blessed to be taught by an assembly of teachers who were instrumental in shaping our minds. And all thanks to our beloved Director Sir who never compromised when it came to create an academic infrastructure for us. So it came to take classes, it was a matter of great pride to share the podium with same people whom we revered them as God. It was natural for us that we should not their teachings ever go down, at the same time, the unflinching trust that the institution had bestowed on us.
For me students are the best thing that can happen to any teacher’s life, for they give you back in a huge proportion, what you give them. You love and respect them, they would reciprocate in an overwhelming manner
Q. From being an inspirational professor to a critically acclaimed management writer, to an editor and a business leader. Which hat do you enjoy wearing the most and why?
A. Both teacher and writer, are two sides of the same coin. I write what I teach and vice versa. My columns are my thoughts and are meant to disseminate to as many people as possible. Writing helps to get to address a larger audience whereas a classroom restricts the same. But then they cannot be substituted. A classroom helps in generating real time discussions with real time questions and feedback, which is not so in case of writing. One has to wait for feedbacks.
Q. When you look back at the days that you spent at IIPM as a student, what is the biggest learning that you gained? Any funny incident or memory that you would like to share with us.
A. The days at IIP M as a student was by far one of my best days, as learning was not just in abundance but was fun. Small batch but hugely competitive that in itself created an enabling environment for learning. I do remember lot of funny incidences, but once where my executive communication faculty targeted me for his own sadistic pleasures was really hilarious.
Q. What are your expectations from the Generation of today. With both opportunities and distractions available in plenty, what word of advice would you like to give them to grow into successful individuals?
A. Success has no formula. The only thing they should learn is to strike the right balance. Once they know how to use the opportunities they have and mould them to their advantage, success is most definite. And as far distractions go, it is good to get distracted at times; otherwise, life can become boring.
Q. What is it that keeps you happy apart from work?
A. My two angels – Roza (daughter) and Riddhi (niece). Cult will relish this exclusive opportunity of featuring such an epic persona from the IIP M fraternity, and truly wishes that Prof. Majumdar continues to drive IIP M towards many more peaks of success.
