Interview with Ledo Padinjarathala, SYBMS Topper, Wilson College

Name – Ledo Padinjarathala

Currently in FY/SY/TYBMS : TYBMS

Topped in which year : Sem 1 & 2 – FYBMS /Sem 3 & 4- SYBMS

College – Wilson College, Mumbai

Percentage of Marks: FYBMS – 80.36%; SYBMS – 80.00%

First of all, A Hearty Congratulations to you on this Brilliant Success…!!

Tell us about yourself and your college:

My name is Ledo. I am very thankful to my parents for giving me such a unique name which always helps me start conversations. Anyways… I love to read books and also have a knack for writing. I have been blessed with numerous opportunities during my time at Wilson and hope I have been successful in giving my best.

About my college, it is older than Mumbai University and has a glorious history of more than 175 years. Living in the present, it extends a lot of scope for students to develop beyond academics, especially the BMS department under the leadership of our BMS           Co-odinator- Dr. Zuleika F. Homavazir.

How did you plan to get into BMS?

I was the first person in my family as far as I can recall who took commerce in junior college. But that was the first sign of an inclination towards management and finance in particular.

The little apprehensions I had were settled when I read Robert Kiyosaki’s book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” A statement in it which says “Professionals are smart, Businessmen hire the smart” has kept me motivated to never look back on my decision and BMS was just the next step towards a career in management.

Is the BMS syllabus just what you had expected it to be?

A good friend studying BMM in Xaviers once told me that your course doesn’t have anything specific. I don’t see how that is a disadvantage. The BMS course gives you bits and pieces over three years. It pushes you to think and collate everything. A single subject in isolation will be insignificant. Thus, the syllabus doesn’t end in the classroom.

Were you expecting to top in the exams? To whom would you credit this success to?

I was not expecting to top in the exams.

I would credit to many people but would refrain from taking names. One person I would like to credit or rather an entity is “Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd.” for not failing to print “Economic Times” every morning. It helps me stand apart.

Did you start preparing right from the first day of your BMS?

Ehmm.. Now I know why people answer with “No Comments”.

I believe there is an inverse variation between the amount of time you study for and the marks you get. So I prefer leaving studies for a week before the exam or so. Only working subjects like accounts are done regularly.

How did you allot time to different subjects? (Did you follow a self-made timetable? And how many hours did you study per day? Had you joined any coaching classes or was it just self-study?)

I do make timetables before every major exam. But tear it apart after two days of not sticking to it only to make a new one, keeps me busy.

I do not go to any coaching class; don’t support people going to coaching classes either.

Did you participate in college fests or extra-curricular activities? (If yes, please mention the details) Do you think a BMS student can manage both studies and extra activities?

I have participated in college festivals and more importantly managed them as well. I was the Chairperson of my College Festival “ADOREA” when I was in SYBMS. I was the co – editor of the BMS Magazine “Victory Pulse” in TYBMS.

A BMS student can surely manage both studies and extracurricular activities. Although, BMS has a vast syllabus, however it gives you ample time to take up more assignments, be it academic or cultural. There is a very sad myth that BMS students can’t clear CA or CS because of the semester system and B. Com would be a better option. Well, if you have proper time management I feel it is very much a possibility.

Today, we often come across students committing suicide out of failure, depression or tension of exams. What do you have to say about this? Did you use any special techniques for stress management?

I can try to understand their predicament but since I have never been there it would be immature to comment on it.

Stress management…Well, try reading the book “Secret”, helps a lot. I tend not to study too much just before an exam even if my portion is left. It’s the two hours in the exam hall that matter not the ones spent before.

Industrial Visits – are they really informative for BMS students? Which industries have you visited?

Industrial visit is one of the most important part of the BMS calendar. It is informative as long as your faculty is informed and I have luckily been blessed with highly informed ones.

I have visited Amar Textile and Jaybee Industries. Thereby we learned the details of manufacturing and marketing aspects of consumer and industrial products.

Do you think a BMS student is more flooded with assignments, projects and internal exams?

It’s flooded no doubt. But the flood keeps you on your toes. Helps you discover new possibilities.

Do you like being busy with projects, presentations, assignments and internal exams? Or you would like to be enjoying out with friends all that time instead?

I do not mind the presentations. And as long as you are able to manage and balance time you won’t be deprived of time for friends either.

What changes would you like to bring in management education in India?

The biggest change I feel that needs to be brought about in management education is that more emphasis should be given to rural management programs. Post graduation courses have been successful in foraying into this area but the BMS program still remains away from rural practical projects. India as a country needs leaders to focus on the development of these rural areas and therefore rural management subjects should be given a platform.

What message would you like to give to the coming batches of BMS students?

Live every moment of your graduation. BMS gives you an opportunity to dream beyond possibilities.

What are your future plans?

My future plan is to either do an MBA, however that depends upon the entrance exam scores and the institutions I am offered. The other option is to work for an MNC in a worthy profile and do an MBA at a later date.

Your Feedback for BMS.co.in?

Keep up the good work…!!

Any suggestions, feedback for the Campus Representative of your college?

Try finding out the talents of BMS students other than in academics… You’d be surprised.

Thank You for being so honest with your answers and giving us your valuable time. I’m sure reading this interview would be a great help and inspiration for the students.

Congratulations once again and wish you all the very best for you career!

– Interview By

Aashiya Khan

Campus Representative

SIES College-BMS.co.in