Profiles of Alumni Award Recipients
Distinguished Alumni Award 2021
Mr. Roopank Chaudhary
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 1999 – 2001
Mr. Roopank Chaudhary, an alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 1999 – 2001 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his area and was conferred Distinguished Alumni Award 2021 on 27 June 2022. He is currently a global partner at Aon Consulting and serves as the India Chief Commercial Officer, Head of the Mumbai Office, and Head of the Financial Institutions practice for Aon Consulting in India and South Asia. Aon is one of the largest consulting firms globally and the largest HR consulting firm in the country. He is one of the youngest ever partners in the India business of the firm. He is the only one globally in the firm with three core areas of responsibility, i.e., commercial, geography, and industry leadership.
He has worked with reputed companies like HSBC, Aon Consulting, and Korn Ferry in various capacities. Apart from his core work responsibilities, he has made a significant contribution to how people are treated in terms of pay equality, pay parity, diversity, inclusion, and engagement levels.
In addition to his professional career with Aon Consulting, he is regularly invited for guest sessions, curriculum development, mentoring, scholarship interviews, guest lectures, and placement guidance at various institutes and colleges.
He is the editor of the Aon Hewitt Total Rewards Quarterly (TRQ) Magazine, a quarterly publication he helped launch. This magazine showcases thought leadership and trends in the Indian Performance and Rewards Consulting market.
For more information, please visit his profile: linkedin.com/in/roopank-chaudhary-bb67492
Distinguished Alumni Award 2022
Mr. Rajat Shikhar
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2003-2005
The Indian Institute of Management Indore has instituted the Distinguished Alumni Award from the year 2021 with the purpose to recognize the longevity and consistency of achievements of the highest calibre by the alumni over their professional life. Self or peer nominations were accepted from IIMI alumni with at least ten years of post-MBA work experience. The awardee is selected by a jury consisting of the Director of the Institute, the alumni chair, representative(s) from the alumni association, representative(s) from industry, and senior professor(s).
Mr. Rajat Shikhar, an alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2003 – 2005 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has exhibited remarkable performance in his field. He has demonstrated exceptional achievement in his area and has therefore awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award 2022.
He is a Co-founder & Chief Product Officer at DealShare. DealShare is a unicorn in the social e-commerce space with the objective to re-invent retail for the next billion users. It offers relevant and differentiated catalog with low prices and a fun-filled shopping experience with vernacular browsing. Dealshare promotes regional manufacturers, brands, and farmers, and employs local micro-entrepreneurs to power its logistics. Headquartered in Bangalore, DealShare is currently operational in 8 states, in more than 120 locations, and with over 10 million users. Rajat has a product vision to meet the grocery and essential needs of the middle of the pyramid, the new internet users in tier 2 and 3 cities, primarily in the low-mid income bracket, in small towns and large cities of India.
Previously, Rajat had spent close to a decade solving problems in consumer internet retail as part of core teams of companies like Myntra, Jabong, and Foodpanda. From building experience in high fashion to building efficient last mile logistics, he had worked across the spectrum of the E-commerce industry. In his entrepreneurial journey, he also built two platforms Buzzl and Figwish, in hyperlocal commerce and beauty space, respectively. In his early career, he worked as a tech consultant for reputed tech services companies like Cognizant and TCS. He has been contributing to the startup and tech ecosystem by advising, consulting, and mentoring various startups.
For more information, please visit his profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajatshikhar/
Distinguished Alumni Award 2023
Mr. Naveen Pandey
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 1999 – 2001
Mr. Naveen is a seasoned business leader with a distinguished career marked by a strong focus on sales operations, marketing strategy, and distributed team management. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer at Unibic Foods India Pvt. Ltd., Naveen has been at the helm of the company’s leadership. With a rich background in the consumer goods industry, Naveen has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of Unibic Foods, a brand known for its innovative approach in the approximately INR 9,000 crore cookie market. Under his leadership, Unibic has not only introduced iconic products like Anzac and Bradman cookies but has also expanded its product portfolio to include over 30 variants, such as Fruit & Nut, Choco Kiss, and Choco Nut cookies.
Mr. Naveen’s expertise extends beyond Unibic, with a noteworthy stint at Marico Limited where he served as the EVP & Business Head – New Foods BU. During his tenure, he led a startup within Marico, accelerating the company’s foray into new categories in the Food segment.
Prior to Marico, Mr. Naveen held key roles at PepsiCo, where he served as Sales Director for North India and VP Sales for East India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. His experience also includes a two-year term as Managing Director for Marico Bangladesh, overseeing a US $100 million corporation with a leadership position in the Hair Care segment.
For more information visit his profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/n-pandey/
Distinguished Contribution to the Alma Mater and Alumni Award 2023
Mr. Deepak Kapur
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2000 – 2002
Mr. Deepak is passionate about teaching and has been a distinguished visiting faculty member at the Indian Institute of Management, Indore, since 2006, where he imparts his expertise in courses on Business Analysis, Valuation, and Investing. Mr. Deepak is fondly remembered by his students for his engaging teaching style and unwavering dedication to their academic growth. His genuine interest in teaching and approachable demeanour created a lasting impact, fostering a sense of admiration and gratitude among those he taught.
Beyond academia, Mr. Deepak is a value investor and invests in the secondary equity markets in India. MR. Deepak serves as a trusted advisor and mentor to companies and budding entrepreneurs, offering invaluable insights on business strategy, direction, valuation, and fundraising. His multifaceted interests extend to sustainability and resource optimization, reflected in his avid reading habits encompassing biographies, financial markets, entrepreneurship, and empirical psychology.
For more information visit his profile at: linkedin.com/in/tapak7
Distinguished Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2023
Mr. Chakradhar Gade (Joint Winner)
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2005 – 2007
Mr. Chakradhar Gade is the Co-founder and CEO of Country Delight, a dynamic player in the Indian dairy industry based in Gurgaon. Country Delight delivers daily grocery items, like milk, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, to the doorsteps of their customers. With over 11 years of experience at the helm of Country Delight, he has been a driving force in revolutionizing the $70 billion Indian milk industry. Chakradhar is known for his expertise in new business development, business strategy, and private equity.
Driven by the motto “Natural India, New India,” Chakradhar continues to lead Country Delight in leveraging data and technology to innovate in consumer connectivity, products, processing, and sourcing of milk, making a significant impact on the Indian dairy landscape. Mr. Chakradhar Gade is a seasoned professional dedicated to reshaping the future of the dairy industry in India. His venture promises natural, fresh, and unadulterated milk directly to the doorstep of the consumer. Their consumer ordering and servicing happens through a first-of-its-kind mobile application that completely takes away the hassle of managing one’s milk requirements.
For more information visit his profile at: linkedin.com/in/chakradhar-gade-1025a12
Mr. Nitin Kaushal (Joint Winner),
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2005 – 2007
Mr. Nitin Kaushal, an alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2005 – 2007 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has exhibited remarkable performance in his field.
Mr. Nitin Kaushal is the Co-founder of Country Delight, a dynamic player in the Indian dairy industry based in Gurgaon. Country Delight delivers daily grocery items, like milk, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to the doorsteps of their customers. Mr. Nitin has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Country Delight is a venture that reflects his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence.
The demand for fresh and organic dairy products has been growing in India, but the traditional supply chain often fails to meet this need. Country Delight has emerged as a solution to this problem. By eliminating middlemen and providing a farm-to-table delivery model, the startup ensures that customers receive high-quality products directly from the source.
In the realm of dairy innovation, Mr. Nitin spearheads Country Delight’s relentless pursuit of leveraging data and technology to revolutionize consumer connectivity, product development, processing techniques, and milk -sourcing strategies. Mr. Nitin’s vision extends beyond mere leadership; he is a pioneering force dedicated to reshaping the trajectory of India’s dairy landscape. Under his guidance, Country Delight champions the delivery of natural, fresh, and untainted milk directly to consumers’ doorsteps. Through a groundbreaking mobile application, they streamline the entire milk procurement process, offering unparalleled convenience to customers.
For more information visit his profile at: linkedin.com/in/nitin-kaushal-6bbbb65
Global Impact Award 2023
Ms. Akhila Rajan
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 1998 – 2000
Ms. Akhila is currently contributing her expertise at Wells Fargo, United States as the Business Risk lead for CB/CIB Digital. In this role, she has successfully led Frontline Business Risk initiatives, ensuring compliance and alignment with enterprise requirements, and maintaining a robust risk framework. Her role as Policy Champion reflects her commitment to regulatory compliance and major compliance requirements.
During her tenure at PwC, Ms. Akhila held the position of Director in Management Consulting, serving as a key member of the core leadership team. Her contributions included building up the Finance Effectiveness Practice nationwide for PwC, India, overseeing P&L, recruitment, and mentoring, and developing Go-To- Market (GTM) offerings.
Ms. Akhila’s international experience includes roles at Standard Chartered Bank in Singapore, American Express Bank in New York, and JP Morgan Services India. Notably, at American Express Bank, she spearheaded headquarters operations for Global Correspondent Banking Payment Operations, managing daily transactions up to $50 billion in a dynamic and high-risk environment.
For more information visit his profile at: linkedin.com/in/akhila-rajan
Young Alumni Achiever Award 2023
Mr. Arindam Paul,
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2012 – 2014
Mr. Arindam is currently serving as Chief Business Officer at Atomberg Technologies Private Limited. In less than a decade of joining the team at Atomberg as the Chief Business Officer, he has grown Atomberg to an INR 1000 cr revenue ceiling fan brand and fundamentally changed the landscape of how consumer electrical appliances are sold in India, and created a new playbook of distribution and marketing for new age consumer brands.
Mr. Arindam, pioneered D2C sales, establishing Atomberg as a market leader on Amazon and Flipkart, and successfully transitioned to offline distribution, achieving a deep presence with 25,000 counters across 400 cities. He played a pivotal role in Atomberg’s success, demonstrating leadership, perseverance, and strategic decision-making. He leads 350+ professionals and mentors founders of brands like Zouk, Oziva, Urban Company, MCaffeine, WholeTruth, GoDesi, Pilgrim etc.
Mr. Arindam was recognized as a “Champion of Change” by the Honourable Prime Minister of India; he represented the country at global UN events on climate change.
For more information visit his profile at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paularindam/
Distinguished Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024
Mr. Avinash Sethi,
Alumnus of the Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2005 – 2007
Mr. Avinash Sethi, an alumnus of IIM Indore’s Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Management (Batch 2005 – 2007), has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the software services industry.
As Co-Founder of InfoBeans Technologies Limited, he has driven business growth and global expansion, establishing the company as a trusted provider of innovative software solutions. Under his leadership, InfoBeans fostered a thriving work culture, earning prestigious accolades such as Great Place to Work and Best Place to Work for Women. He also led strategic fundraising and acquisitions in the U.S. and India, accelerating inorganic growth and creating significant value for stakeholders.
With 29 years of industry experience, Mr. Sethi has played key roles in multiple ventures. As Board Member and CMO at Sapience Analytics, he helped position it as a leader in employee productivity software. His entrepreneurial expertise extends to co-founding SaveTime Technologies, a healthcare tech startup, and InfoSignz Technologies, a digital signage platform.
Beyond business, he is dedicated to social impact. Through the yearly training programme at InfoBeans Foundation, he has enabled 250 financially disadvantaged individuals to become employment ready software programmers. An active industry leader, he served on the NASSCOM SME Council (2019–2023) and has led the Disha mentorship programme since then. As a charter member of TiE MP, he mentors entrepreneurs through their Nurture programme.
More information about the awardee visit: linkedin.com/in/avinashsethi
Exemplary Public Service Award 2024
Mr. Siddharth Kaushal,
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2007 – 2009
Mr. Siddharth Kaushal, an alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2007 – 2009 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has demonstrated exceptional commitment and exemplary performance in various assignments since his appointment as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in 2012.
Mr. Kaushal, has served in diverse and challenging postings including Assault Commander, Greyhounds (Anti-Naxal Commando Force), Assistant Superintendent of Police, Parvathipuram in Vizianagaram District, Officer on Special Duty, Narsipatnam, Superintendent of Police, Railway Police, Guntakal, Superintendent of Police, Prakasam, Superintendent of Police, Krishna, Superintendent of Police, Kurnool, and Superintendent of Police, YSR District, Kadapa. Since September 2024, he has been serving as Assistant Inspector General, Law & Order, at the Police Headquarters.
Mr. Kaushal’s innovative contributions to public service include the development of ElectionMitra, an AI-powered tool recognized with the Election Commission of India Award for Best Electoral Practices in 2025. Additionally, he was awarded the FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) Smart Policing Award (2022) for his initiative, Project TATA (Trainings and Activities for Technology Adoption) in Law Enforcement.
His unwavering dedication to maintaining law and order, enhancing public safety, and integrating technological advancements in governance has brought immense honour to IIM Indore. His career exemplifies the highest standards of integrity, innovation, and commitment to the public good.
More information about the awardee visit: linkedin.com/in/siddharthkaushal
Global Impact Award 2024
Mr. Nishant Upadhyay,
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 1998 – 2000
Mr. Nishant Upadhyay, an alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 1998 – 2000 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has exhibited remarkable performance in this field.
Currently based in Connecticut, United States, Mr. Upadhyay serves as the Head of Global Fixed Income and Liquid Alternatives at the State of Connecticut Retirement Plans & Trust Funds. His remarkable career, spanning over three decades, reflects expertise in leadership, asset allocation, global macroeconomics, and fixed income markets. He has held pivotal roles at HSBC Global Asset Management, and PIMCO amongst others, demonstrating excellence across diverse financial domains.
Mr. Upadhyay has successfully managed substantial assets across various investment strategies, including emerging markets, credit, and ESG-focused investments. His achievements include launching innovative investment strategies, exceeding benchmarks, and contributing to the development of impactful investment models at renowned global institutions.
His work has had a profound international impact, promoting sustainable investment practices and advancing financial excellence globally.
More information about the awardee visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nishant-upadhyay-615a66/
Distinguished Contribution to the Alma Mater and Alumni Award 2024
Mr. Pranav Agarwal,
Alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2006 – 2008
Mr. Pranav Agarwal, an alumnus of the Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2006 – 2008 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has exhibited remarkable performance in this field.
A seasoned Web3 investor and the Head of Foundership Ventures, Mr. Agarwal brings over fifteen years of expertise in business development, planning, and analysis to the rapidly evolving world of Web3 startups. Currently based in Dubai, UAE, he plays a pivotal role in nurturing young startups by leading a dedicated team in setting up a Web3 fund, identifying high-potential businesses, and driving their growth. Prior to this, Pranav worked as the CFO & Director for Essar Group’s US mining business. He currently also serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Jetking Infotrain, India’s first listed company following the Bitcoin treasury strategy. His influence extends beyond investment, as he has been a consistent thought leader, contributing valuable insights to the Web3 industry and recognized as a Top Voice on LinkedIn.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Agarwal remains deeply committed to the IIM Indore alumni network, engaging actively in mentoring students and fellow alumni. His unwavering dedication to strengthening alumni bonds across the globe has brought immense value to the IIM Indore community.
More information about the awardee visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranava10/
Young Alumni Achiever Award 2024
Mr. Sonny Laskar,
Alumnus of the Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2013 – 2014
Mr. Sonny Laskar, an alumnus of the Executive Post-Graduate Programme in Management, Batch 2013 – 2014 at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, has exhibited remarkable performance in his field.
Mr. Sonny Laskar has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and technical expertise, establishing himself as a prominent data scientist on the global stage. His remarkable journey began with securing a position among the top 250 global Data Scientists by winning an international Kaggle competition. As the Principal Data Scientist at Microland, he has led several industrial projects, most notably as the Chief Scientist for Microland’s AIOps product, Intelligeni. His expertise has earned him a place among India’s Top 10 Data Scientists in both 2020 and 2023, along with recognition in the prestigious ’40 Under 40 Data Scientists’ by Analytics India Magazine.
Mr. Laskar has also led technical initiatives for the State Bank of India’s Data Warehouse Project and developed AI solutions for a leading hard drive manufacturer in Southeast Asia, enhancing global product quality. His contributions across FMCG, banking, and healthcare demonstrate his ability to apply AI to real-world challenges effectively.
With over 20 hackathon victories, including the Guinness World Record-winning Code Gladiators 2018, Mr. Laskar has shown his relentless pursuit of excellence. His contributions to the open-source community through his YouTube channel, LaymansAI, highlight his passion for sharing knowledge and inspiring future data scientists.
More information about the awardee visit: https://linkedin.com/in/sonnylaskar