Anakshi Dev Choudhury, PGDBM participant, 1st Trimester, 2007-09 Batch writes:

The day- it was carefully chosen - a Saturday- the only day in the week when the Managers of any Organisation can afford to leave their workplace earlier than the scheduled time.
The time- scheduled time was 6pm in the evening.

The PGDBM classes were over by 2.45 noon; the Institute was almost empty as far as the students were concerned- although a few of them were spotted in and around the Lab. Just in the nick of time a heavy downpour- as expected all the roads of the city was filled up with knee deep water.

But somehow I managed to reach the venue- thanks to the rain God- 45 mins late.
As I was climbing the stairs the only doubt that was there in my mind was is the meet still going on- are the alumni present.

To my utter surprise- a group of 16 alumni with our Director- Mr Santikam Hazarika, our very learned "IT MAN" as our professors addresses him- MR. Pratul Chandra Kalita-Chairman Alumni Relations, and a host of the members of the AIM family were present.I was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the seniors who had come to attend the meet braving all the odds.

The Alumni:
1. Mr Pankaj Bezbaruah(1994-1997 evening Batch): Currently the Field Manager for the NE region, Basix India.
2. Mr. Migam KK Pegu (2001-2004 batch): currently the Sales manager Indian Oil Corporation (AOD)
3. Heerokjyoti Das (2002-2004 batch): Popularly known as SAM- currently the …. for Intac
4. Angshuman Talukdar (2002-2004 batch) Currently the Assistant Manager, Exide Industries Ltd.
5. Kandarpa Kumar Sarma (2002-2004): Currently in SCZPPL
6. Bhaskar Sarma (2002-2005): He has a well established Business and is also engaged as a Part Time faculty.
7. Jitendra Ashit (2003- 2006): He has taken the initiative to set up a private FM channel in the Region- called- GUP SHUP FM.
8. Rahul Thakuria (2004-2006): He's all set to join the ICICI BANK as a Sales Team Leader
9. Vaishali Kar (2004-2006): HDFC Bank
10. Udayan Goswami (2005-2007) : Havells India Ltd
11. Prakash Bawri (2005-2007): Oracle Granito Ltd
12. Pompy Dutta (2005-2007): HDFC
13. Y Okram Singh (2005-2007): HDFC
14. Deepankar Bhattacharjee (2005-2007): Currently with Berger paints (India) Ltd.
15. Jayanta Mazumder (2005-2007) : Icici Bank
16. Manish Agarwal (2005-2007): Management Trainee of ACC Cements.

The discussion- started with a warm sip of tea and light snacks-and with a very warm welcome address by Mr. Pratul Kalita. He stressed that one of the best assets of any Institution is its Alumni - and the regular feedback of the Alumni can not only provide the Institute latest requirements and the latest trends of the market but also help in introspection into the teaching methods of the Institution.
He concluded welcome address by reminding the Alumni to actively interact with the Industry Institute Partnership cell (IIPC) and provide the helping hand for the attaining the goals of the Institute.

Shri Shantikam Hazarika welcomed the Alumni in his own endearing way. The Institute which is a pioneer in the region as far as Management Studies is concerned is being faced by a number of challenges and constraints. Shri Hazarika not only highlighted these problems but also requested the Alumni to provide support for the cause of the institute.

All the participants were really motivated by the addresses made by both the Director of the Institute and the Chairman of the Alumni Committee- this was evident from the warm session of discussion that followed.

Role of Media
The discussion was initiated by Mr. Pegu who stressed the need for the use of Media so as to promote the cause of the Institute. He pointed out that career fairs held in the Region would be a good platform to reach out to the students of not only to the State but to the entire NE region.

Mr. Manish Agarwal stressed that the AIM which is a Brand name now should not only be restricted to the North Eastern Region but should also reach out to the entire Globe - the best way for this according to him was-
1. Detailed Coverage by the Media of all the Programmes of the Institute.
2. The Official Website of the Institute to cover all developments of the Institute.

Future steps in development of the brand name: AIM
1. Since funds were one of the major constraints in the development of the Institute Mr Pegu highlighted the presence of the Oil PSU's in the state which could be a major source in the mobilization of financial resources.

2. Mr Pankaj Bezbaruah stressed on the National representation of the students of the Institute. Supporting his view Shri Shantikam Hazarika highlited the need for Faculty of national repute to be linked to the Institute. Shri Hazarika also enlightened all those present that the Institute is making large scale efforta to bring more and more Guest Speakers and Management Guru's for direct interaction with the Participants of the various Programmes offered by the Institute.

Throughout the discussion a common effort was noticed - the efforts of both the alumni and the Management for the attainment of the Goals of the Institute. The sense of attachment to the Institute of each and everyone present in the Lab at that moment was clear.

As the evening came to an end the Alumni exuded great pride in being part of the AIM FAMILY.

Closing another successful chapter of Alumni meet, the Director of the Institute Shri Shantikam Hazarika and Mr. Pratul Chandra Kalita-Chairman Alumni Relations thanked participants for their active participation. With an assurance from both the faculty members as well as the Alumni's end to meet again in the Month of December '07 the meet was concluded.

As we were leaving for the day- I could see a sparkle in the eyes of each of the participant present - which clearly reflected the excitement of meeting again in December..... and the word would go around- this is just the beginning for the happier and glorious days of the Alumni meet of the Institute in specific and new endeavor meant for the growth of the Institute in general -aiming to make it world wide phenomena.