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The pilani pioneers
The Pilani Pioneers profiles twenty-five accomplished BITS Pilani graduates, including startup founders, entrepreneurs and CEOs, who have made an indelible mark on the Indian and global business landscape while deftly navigating the twists and turns of their professional and personal lives.
It introduces us to mavericks such as Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge; Hari Menon, Co-founder and CEO of BigBasket; Harish Bhat, Brand Custodian at Tata Sons; Sunil Duggal, Dabur's longest-serving CEO; Tulsi Mirchandaney, MD of Blue Dart Aviation; Nandini Chopra, MD at Alvarez & Marsal; Phanindra Sama, Co-founder of redBus; among others, whose stories of passion and perseverance reveal what it takes to not only achieve success in the competitive arena of business but also make a positive difference in both industry and the world at large.
Inspiring, with a touch of nostalgia, this book is an essential read for anyone looking to find their niche and build a meaningful professional life.
It introduces us to mavericks such as Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge; Hari Menon, Co-founder and CEO of BigBasket; Harish Bhat, Brand Custodian at Tata Sons; Sunil Duggal, Dabur's longest-serving CEO; Tulsi Mirchandaney, MD of Blue Dart Aviation; Nandini Chopra, MD at Alvarez & Marsal; Phanindra Sama, Co-founder of redBus; among others, whose stories of passion and perseverance reveal what it takes to not only achieve success in the competitive arena of business but also make a positive difference in both industry and the world at large.
Inspiring, with a touch of nostalgia, this book is an essential read for anyone looking to find their niche and build a meaningful professional life.
296 pages, Paperback
Published August 3, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 28, 2021
This book shares lessons from the lives of 25 accomplished BITS Pilani graduates who achieved great success in the world of business and entrepreneurship. These 25 leaders, through their persistence, dedication and hardwork not only achieved success in the arena of business but also made a positive difference in the industry at large.
Throughout the book, I was able to identify many nuggets of wisdom that can help one grow, both personally and professionally.
The key lessons I drew from the book could be divided into following categories:
- Importance of Mentorship
- Importance of Unwinding
- Importance of Building Strong Relationships
- Leadership and Management Lessons: As I read through the stories of various leaders describing the complexities of their professional and personal struggles, I could identify some key leadership principles that most of them swore by.
- Lessons for budding entrepreneurs: Many of the stories in this book are of entrepreneurs who built solid businesses on the back of persistence, hard work and dedication. Founders and entrepreneurs shared some valuable lessons on how can entrepreneurs build businesses that last.
After reading this book, there are some definite changes I will undertake in the way I approach work and life.
Hopefully, this book shall be able to do the same for you. So go ahead and give it a read!
PS - In case you are interested in reading a detailed review, you can check out the following link: https://raisethebar.substack.com/p/le...
Throughout the book, I was able to identify many nuggets of wisdom that can help one grow, both personally and professionally.
The key lessons I drew from the book could be divided into following categories:
- Importance of Mentorship
- Importance of Unwinding
- Importance of Building Strong Relationships
- Leadership and Management Lessons: As I read through the stories of various leaders describing the complexities of their professional and personal struggles, I could identify some key leadership principles that most of them swore by.
- Lessons for budding entrepreneurs: Many of the stories in this book are of entrepreneurs who built solid businesses on the back of persistence, hard work and dedication. Founders and entrepreneurs shared some valuable lessons on how can entrepreneurs build businesses that last.
After reading this book, there are some definite changes I will undertake in the way I approach work and life.
Hopefully, this book shall be able to do the same for you. So go ahead and give it a read!
PS - In case you are interested in reading a detailed review, you can check out the following link: https://raisethebar.substack.com/p/le...
September 3, 2021
This is a collection of short chapters focusing on twenty-five personalities from different fields of industry and market. The only common fact in between these personalities is that they are BITS Pilani graduates.
The graduates from BITS Pilani who have accomplished and are at the reputated positions in established companies like BigBasket, Blue Dart Aviation, redBus, BigBasket, etc. Some are founders, entrepreneurs and CEOs, making a huge difference in the global market.
Each chapter introduces to the personality and their days in BITS, ending with the inspirational words for the readers.
It was a treat to such a light and nice book.
The graduates from BITS Pilani who have accomplished and are at the reputated positions in established companies like BigBasket, Blue Dart Aviation, redBus, BigBasket, etc. Some are founders, entrepreneurs and CEOs, making a huge difference in the global market.
Each chapter introduces to the personality and their days in BITS, ending with the inspirational words for the readers.
It was a treat to such a light and nice book.
September 6, 2021
Everyone has a story to tell and there is something to learn from every story. Maybe that's why we often turn towards the biographies of people who have already made it big and we try to grab some wisdom from their life. However, how good it would have been if we could get their life summarized in a couple of pages, with only that much information that is meant to help others. This book is a unique attempt to achieve the same.
Covering the summarized version of the life lessons of 25 entrepreneurs and corporate leaders from different sectors, all of whom are BITS Pilani Alumni, their journey towards making their life and career noteworthy, their successes and their failures, and their wisdom, this is a great book for every aspiring entrepreneur or corporate leader. One is sure to draw inspiration from one or the other leader for each one of them had their share of failures which taught them the right way to achieve and retain success.
Small chapters with clear subheadings help the readers to choose what they want to read and what they want to skip. Simple language and a good level of editing ensured that whatever is written is useful, inspiring, and understandable for readers from different walks of life. This book is recommended for everyone who is seeking inspiration in their career. And, for every alumni of BITS Pilani, this book is a walk into the world of nostalgia which is a part of your life too.
Covering the summarized version of the life lessons of 25 entrepreneurs and corporate leaders from different sectors, all of whom are BITS Pilani Alumni, their journey towards making their life and career noteworthy, their successes and their failures, and their wisdom, this is a great book for every aspiring entrepreneur or corporate leader. One is sure to draw inspiration from one or the other leader for each one of them had their share of failures which taught them the right way to achieve and retain success.
Small chapters with clear subheadings help the readers to choose what they want to read and what they want to skip. Simple language and a good level of editing ensured that whatever is written is useful, inspiring, and understandable for readers from different walks of life. This book is recommended for everyone who is seeking inspiration in their career. And, for every alumni of BITS Pilani, this book is a walk into the world of nostalgia which is a part of your life too.
January 8, 2023
“You might lose touch with your college friends but even when you meet them after decades, you’d feel like you never left Pilani.”
Even in the 2+ covid dominated years post graduation (we still need that convocation hello), this has held through everywhere. Definitely the best 5 years of my life.
While this book definitely makes you proud of that BITSian connect and inspires you via the 25 success stories, perhaps a different format of documenting this might have made it much better.
But a decent debut effort nonetheless.
Even in the 2+ covid dominated years post graduation (we still need that convocation hello), this has held through everywhere. Definitely the best 5 years of my life.
While this book definitely makes you proud of that BITSian connect and inspires you via the 25 success stories, perhaps a different format of documenting this might have made it much better.
But a decent debut effort nonetheless.
January 6, 2022
Hats off to Durjai and Gaurav for putting this together. Love the flow of the book and how inspiring it is - endowed with relatable life lessons. Congrats on your debut book!
May 8, 2024
I recently finished reading "Pilani Pioneers," co-authored by Durjai Sethi (alongside Gaurav Mandlecha) – the son of my friend Poonam Sethi. Both authors are proud alumni of BITS Pilani.
This insightful book delves into the experiences and insights of twenty-five accomplished graduates from BITS Pilani, each of whom has played a significant role in establishing or leading successful enterprises. It serves as a captivating narrative, showcasing the enduring legacy of BITS Pilani through the remarkable journeys of these CXOs and business leaders.
Reading this book evoked nostalgic memories of my own visit to Pilani back in 1993-94 for campus recruitment, with many subsequent visits thereafter. The vivid descriptions in the book brought back images of the iconic Birla Mandir and the bustling atmosphere of Connaught Place, where I enjoyed the famous and refreshing Chikoo shake during evening strolls. I couldn't help but reminisce about the abundance of peacocks and the delectable Besan Gatta curry prepared by the hostel cook, which was so delicious that our team even contemplated hiring him!
For anyone keen on gaining deeper insights into the lives of these successful business owners and experiencing BITS Pilani through their perspectives, "Pilani Pioneers" is a must-read. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the entrepreneurial spirit nurtured by the institute and the profound impact it has had on the professional journeys of its alumni. Durjai and Gaurav - Look forward to reading more from you both.
June 26, 2023
Hooter: An anthology of 25 Indian icons who have a common thread of being BITS Pilani alumni
Taking 25 short and succint takes of individuals across a variety of domains and what made them click and how they'd attribute some of it to their alma mater is the summary of this book Whilst a lot of items would be consistent with other universities in terms of the network , the rigor - a key differentiator a lot of them speak about is the "no attendance" policy that allowed individuals the freedom to chart their own learning towards their passions and the trust the university had instilled on them.
Kudos to the BITSIAN network to be so strongly connected and in touch with their roots.
Taking 25 short and succint takes of individuals across a variety of domains and what made them click and how they'd attribute some of it to their alma mater is the summary of this book Whilst a lot of items would be consistent with other universities in terms of the network , the rigor - a key differentiator a lot of them speak about is the "no attendance" policy that allowed individuals the freedom to chart their own learning towards their passions and the trust the university had instilled on them.
Kudos to the BITSIAN network to be so strongly connected and in touch with their roots.
November 15, 2023
The book 'The Pilani Pioneers' has a really interesting cover that makes you want to read it.
Inside, it has stories from 25 people who went to BITS Pilani. They talk about their lives and how they became successful. A lot of the stories say that going to BITS Pilani is a big reason they did well, but maybe there are other reasons too.
This book is especially good for people who go to BITS Pilani because they can relate to it. I think it would have been better if the book just focused on the people's stories without focusing so much on BITS Pilani. That way, it wouldn't seem like it's only about the college.
Inside, it has stories from 25 people who went to BITS Pilani. They talk about their lives and how they became successful. A lot of the stories say that going to BITS Pilani is a big reason they did well, but maybe there are other reasons too.
This book is especially good for people who go to BITS Pilani because they can relate to it. I think it would have been better if the book just focused on the people's stories without focusing so much on BITS Pilani. That way, it wouldn't seem like it's only about the college.
December 6, 2021
A book that summarises the experiences of alumni of an institute that has an indelible mark on the development story of India and the world. What I appreciated the most was the easy-to-consume format that makes it much easier to go back and refer to important sections. While the selection of alumni could have been more diverse, and chapters divided more logically on the basis of sectors, the initial effort to chronicle the personal stories of some of the leading lights of the Indian corporate and startup space, is commendable!
June 25, 2023
A nice read.
May 20, 2024
Great compilation of businesses started by Pilani graduates.
January 22, 2022
The best part of the book is that since it's 25 independent, differently told and unique stories about entrepreneurs, corporate hotshots and titans of industry, you can pick up any one you like and it'll never disappoint you, while simultaneously allowing the "proper" book-readers to not feel guilt about reading some chapters before others, even if they're not in chronological order. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Abhishek Nayak, V.T. Bharadwaj, Tulsi Mirchandaney and Baba Kalyani. Gaurav and Durjai have done a stellar job with respect to the research, interviews and the structured format of all interviews - I looked forward to the last (and often best) bit, "Back to BITS" where the interviewee recounts his/her experience at BITS. Being a second year BITS undergrad myself, it feels surreal to know that these giants who've risen to the highest echelons of their respective industries, used to eat, hang out and enjoy at the same places we frequent on campus.
The only thing which I didn't particularly enjoy about the book was that it was sometimes too verbose for the average reader (not necessarily a bad thing)- especially in complex industries - but the authors have done a great job at simplifying it to the extent that the reader has some context and is curious to know more. All in all, a great read, and the book hits differently if you're a BITSian. Highly recommended!
The only thing which I didn't particularly enjoy about the book was that it was sometimes too verbose for the average reader (not necessarily a bad thing)- especially in complex industries - but the authors have done a great job at simplifying it to the extent that the reader has some context and is curious to know more. All in all, a great read, and the book hits differently if you're a BITSian. Highly recommended!
April 23, 2022
Absolutely loved the stories of achievers from my alma mater. Well documented and very realistically portrayed journeys of 25 Pioneers. Each story is a treasure trove of life lessons for individuals, (aspiring) leaders, and entrepreneurs/intrapreneurs, to be applied in both professional and personal life.
I am glad I bought my physical copy. I am sure I am going to keep going back to the book every now & then for inspiration & guidance.
I am glad I bought my physical copy. I am sure I am going to keep going back to the book every now & then for inspiration & guidance.
January 15, 2022
Follow the passion
An excellent book telling the success story of BITS, college. Flawlessly written and throughly enjoyed the reading. Waiting for part 2of the same series may be from BITS or other colleges
An excellent book telling the success story of BITS, college. Flawlessly written and throughly enjoyed the reading. Waiting for part 2of the same series may be from BITS or other colleges
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews