Meet Top IIM Calcutta Alumni who you didn’t know hailed from this institution

Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, is one of the most sought-after B-schools in India. It remains to be one of the top choices and dreams of all MBA aspirants today. Located in Kolkata, West Bengal, it was the first Indian Institute of Management to be established. The list of notable alumni of IIM Calcutta is ceaseless. Many of the alumni of the institute have made it big in different industries, and have gained fame world over. But there are a few names that you definitely must have heard of but did not know that they are IIM-C pass outs! Check the following list to surprise yourself!

1. Amish Tripathi (Indian Author)

Yes, we have all heard about the famous fiction, The Shiva Trilogy, and many of us must have read it as well, but did you know the author of this popular trilogy, Amish Tripathi, is an IIM Calcutta alumnus? 

Born in 1974, Mumbai, Amish, an alumnus of IIMC is an author, and the creator of his famous book series: The Shiva Trilogy. His career did not begin as a writer. Instead, he worked with many ruptured companies before he changed his career path. He has worked at big names as Standard Chartered, IDBI, DBS etc. 

After twelve years of working in the sector, he moved to writing fiction, and soon became the best-selling author. His debut book series, The Shiva Trilogy became the fastest-selling book series in the Indian publishing history. He is currently also the director of the Nehru Centre in London. His other notable works include the Ram Chandra Series, Legend of Suheldev: The King Who Saved India, Immortal India: Young India, Timeless Civilisation, Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life. 

2. Malli Mastan Babu (Indian Mountaineer)

Mastan Babu Malli, an alumnus from IIM Calcutta was an Indian mountaineer. Being a studious child all his life and getting into the prestigious IIMC, no third person would guess that he would quit his normal life and go after what makes him feel alive- Mountaineering.

He has made a world record creating feat by climbing the highest peaks of all continents (the Seven Summits) in the shortest span of time at that point - a total of 172 days. Mastan Babu became the world's fastest seven summiteer. He also became Indian’s and South Asia’s first to climb all seven summits. 

This talent and passion for fitness and mountaineering was even acknowledged in IIM Calcutta, where he was given Dr. B.C. Roy award, for his outstanding contributions towards enriching the campus life at IIMC. Malli’s inexorable efforts to increase the fitness levels of his fellow-students and to institutionalise adventure activities led to the foundation of IIMC’s Adventure Club in 2003.

Mastan Babu unfortunately died on 24 March 2015 in Andes mountains after getting caught in bad weather post a successful attempt of Tres Cruces Sur Summit.

3. Swami Mukundananda (Spiritual Leader)

A global spiritual leader, a best selling author, a Vedic scholar, and an ex MBA student, Swami Mukundananda is currently the founder of JKYog (Jagadguru Kripaluji Yog) India, a non-profit organisation based in Cuttack, Odisha, nationally and JKYog, a non-profit organization based in Dallas, Texas, internationally. 

JKYog offers a unique blend of Yogic systems, which is also known as Yoga for the Body, Mind and Soul. An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, Swami Mukundananda not just excels intellectually but also spiritually. From an MBA to being a spiritual leader is indeed an unpredictable transition but definitely a commendable one. 

4. Smriti Kalra (Indian Television Actress)

A pass out from the renowned IIM Calcutta, Smiriti Kalra took the decision to utilise her gorgeous looks in the acting and modelling industry. Smiriti made her debut on ZEE TV, playing the lead role in 12/24 Karol Bagh as Simmi. She gained fame with the young youth TV show Suvreen Guggal - Topper of The Year as Surveen that aired on Channel V. She was recently seen on StarPlus as Ahana in a show Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara, which is a television series set in the backdrop of modern-age romance. 

5. Yogendra Puranik (Japanese Politician) 

From IIM Calcutta to being a Japanese politician definitely sounds like an awe-inspiring journey. Yogendra Puranik known popularly as Yogi is an IIM-C pass out and currently an Indian-born Japanese politician. He is the first person of Indian origin to win an election in Japan and was elected to Tokyo's Edogawa City assembly as City Councillor in April 2019. He finished his International Business Management program from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, with a focus on strategies for doing global business. Later he worked with numerous IT companies before moving to Japan in 2001. It was in 2016 Yogi decided to contest in the elections and announced his candidature in the regional elections that took place in April 2019. He won with a great margin and was supported by The Constitutional Democratic Party which is the largest opposition party.

6. Sandipan Deb (Author and Journalist)

 Numerous examples have time and again proved that the prestigious IIMs do not just focus on producing the future managers and leaders but all-rounder humans who excel in whatever they plan to do, even if it is something that is not related to management. 

Sandipan Deb, another alumnus of IIMC is an Indian author and journalist. He has founded and edited several magazines and been the editor of a national financial newspaper and has led large teams in established organisations, and also created organisations and brands from scratch, both in print and on the web. He has also been the Editorial Director of Swarajya, Editor of The Financial Express, Managing Editor of Outlook, Founder-Editor of Open and Outlook Money. 

Apart from this, he has authored several books, including a critically acclaimed novel, and edited the 175-year memorial edition of The Times of India.

7. Anurag Bhadauria (Indian Politician)

Anurag Bhadouria, another pass out from one of the top B Schools in India, IIM Calcutta, is presently an Indian politician. He is a member and the National Spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party. Anurag Singh is also one of the closest leaders to Samajwadi Party Supremo Akhilesh Yadav. As mentioned earlier, Anurag received his Management in executive business management from Indian management Institute IIM, Calcutta.

Anurag has been awarded the status of State Minister Sports during the period of Akhilesh Yadav government. He contested his first Assembly election in Samajwadi Party Congress alliance from Lucknow east Constituency on the symbol of Congress party, in 2017.

Anurag came into limelight when he organised an Indian Gramin Cricket League, an organisation constituted with an objective of promoting and tapping young rural sport talent of the country.

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