“We are all unique” - The Young Leaders and the Torch Bearers 2009

At an evening award ceremony, a day prior to the Graduation Day at the ISB, twelve Young Leaders and 46 Torch Bearers from the outgoing Class of 2009, lined up inside the School Auditorium to receive their rare felicitation. The award ceremony recognised their leadership attributes, commitment, and relentless participation in various student activities. The recipients of this honour have, throughout a rigorous academic year, consciously taken out time to organise seminars, conclaves, student events, and have taken full charge during many extra curricular activities. After a careful and special selection procedure on the basis of the volunteer hours the students put in and helped with various activities such as placements, admissions, clubs, ISB blogs, summits, conferences, events, communications, winning B-school competitions, special initiatives, etc,  the selection committee handpicked the winners. At the award function, Professor N Viswanadham, Executive Director, Centre for Global Logistics and Manufacturing Strategies (GLAMS), also Chair Person of the selection board for these awards, gave away mementos and certificates to this deserving group of students.


Recipient of Young Leader’s award Kaavya Kasturirangan said, “To be recognised among such a distinguished peer group, is an honour in itself. The award is a huge morale booster and I will aim to live up to expectations placed upon me.”

Added Young Leader Ritu Garg, President of the Healthcare Club at the ISB, “It is a recognition and appreciation of our efforts to make the Healthcare Club one-of-its-kind in India. Many doctors and healthcare professionals now want to explore opportunities in corporate healthcare. This is because we managed to organise many events which brought together industry leaders and stalwarts from the healthcare sector.” Gautam Chopra is also one of the ISB Young Leaders 2009. He said, “This award has instilled in me even more confidence to face future challenges and emerge a leader in difficult situations. To stand out among the best, one naturally has to do something that is not only different but has the wherewithal to motivate others to believe in it. This in my view is what is required to earn the ISB Young Leader Award.”

His colleague and fellow Young Leader, Karthik Chaitanya Valluru, who was also the President of the Consulting Club at the ISB, added, “The ISB experience is all about challenging the status quo, taking risks and re-defining the limits of your personal boundaries. The School is filled with many bright minds bubbling with amazing ideas, and as the Club President, I saw my role as being one of a facilitator creating a platform to channel the enthusiasm and energy for the better.”

Torch Bearer Amrita Banerjee noted, “If there was one thing I knew from day one at the ISB, it was that I am never going to get such a mix of people to interact with ever. Hence, the idea was to get to know as many of them as I could. The best way to do this was to get involved in everything possible. Thus I participated in and organised as many events as could fit into my 24 hour day. It does take up a lot of time and effort, and an award like the Torchbearer’s Award is a recognition which makes it worth it all."


Torch bearer Daniel Gete summed up the evening’s mood beautifully. He confirmed that at the ISB one always feels that he/she is a relevant player. “We are all unique. We all have the right to speak out. And each of us adds up something new to the ISB family. The School is not made of some professors, a bunch of students and staff. We all are managers dealing with business issues. Our work and initiatives here are the result of the common efforts of a very active and committed pool of men and women working together and learning from one another. The ISB has been a completely life-changing experience.”