Defining Cohorts

Each of us has a cohort that we belong to; cohorts built over one’s professional and academic careers. These cohorts are ones that we get recognized by forever. Cohorts that have years of vintage cultivated by past stalwarts, with many more waiting in the wings. Cohorts that invoke deep nostalgia, fond memories and pride.

These cohorts are ones we dip into for networks that they bring into our further professional journeys. Also to draw inspiration from their achievements act as guiding lights for us to match.

I have been privileged to be part of 5 such cohorts – engineering of IIT Kgp ’02, first professional stint of ITC ‘02 (joining), MBA of ISB ’06, second professional stint of Mckinsey ’06 (joining), and third of Matrix ’10 (joining). Each of these cohorts has gifted our nation with corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and leaders in academia. Several of them have gone on to become top-notch CXOs, research experts, renowned professors, high-flying consultants, marketing honchos, equity investors, finance professionals, and many more.

Last week was a celebration for one of my cohorts. On the 73^rd Foundation Day of IIT Kharapur, 4 of my friends from the batch of 2006 made it to the distinguished list of Young Alumni Achievers. 4 from a list of 26 awardees, spread over two decades. @Kunal Rai, @Moushumi Kirtania, @Taranjeet Singh Bhamra, and @Bitan Datta, neatly drawn from a diverse set of consulting, corporate leadership, entrepreneurship and academia. You fill us all with delight as we cheer for you from a distance. As they always say, “Kgp ka tempo high hai”. And what nostalgia to see your batchmates being the reason for it.

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