Our Scholars: Conversations

The Scholarship has been a gateway to a network I could not have built on my own: mentors, fellow scholars across disciplines, and conversations that pushed me to think beyond the classroom. That exposure has been instrumental in shaping how I think about my own field, Computer Science and AI/ML, the infrastructure on which India's next decade of innovation will be built. Being an Aditya Birla Scholar has reframed ambition for me, not as individual achievement, but as the responsibility to build something that matters, for India and the world.

The freedom and confidence from the Aditya Birla Scholarship helped me navigate problems beyond the classroom. With the IIMA Mavericks grant and the Scholarship, I continued working on AI-based enzyme scouting solutions for complex agrochemical molecule synthesis from organic sources. This reinforced the notion of problem-solving at the intersection of AI and sustainability, an appreciation of which is key for future leaders. While interning at McKinsey, I worked on digital transformations for a speciality chemicals manufacturer in Gujarat. Being an Aditya Birla Scholar encourages me to experiment responsibly, preparing me to lead technology-led transformations with technical rigour and business judgment.

The most remarkable part of being an Aditya Birla Scholar has been the people who quietly transformed what could have been an overwhelming year into one of reassurance. I found an ABG family that never allowed anyone to feel like they were navigating it alone. Looking back, the scholarship has given me far more than financial support. It has reminded me that the strongest leaders are seldom those who walk alone; they are those who are lifted by communities that believe in them long before they begin believing in themselves. The Aditya Birla fraternity has taught me that change becomes far less daunting when you have people willing to walk alongside you.

Being an Aditya Birla Scholar has been a constant reminder that this scholarship carries a legacy of excellence, integrity, responsibility and leadership. Leading the official student-run merchandise venture of IIM Lucknow taught me that entrepreneurship is about creating value, taking ownership, and inspiring people to work towards a common vision. The same pursuit of excellence has reflected in other aspects of my academic journey. The scholarship has inspired me to think like an entrepreneur, lead with humility, and pursue excellence with purpose. I hope to honour the values of the scholarship not only through my achievements, but also through the impact I create.

Being selected as an Aditya Birla Scholar has changed how I view my goals and my potential. The scholarship is a constant source of motivation for me. The interview gave me a chance to think deeply about what I want to do with my future. I decided to join the AUV-IITK team, where we now work on building autonomous underwater vehicles for various national and international competitions. Being part of this team allows me to turn the motivation from the scholarship into real, hands-on experience. I am grateful to the Aditya Birla Group for inspiring my drive for excellence.

Being interviewed by an eminent panel that included the former Chief Justice of India in my very first year pushed me to introspect and see myself differently. This scholarship has been an eye-opener, academically pushing me to explore my full potential. In January 2026, I represented GNLU as the only first-year Finalist team at a Judgment Writing Competition at WBNUJS Kolkata, judged by High Court and Supreme Court justices. Alongside this, internships at an NGO, the DLSA, and the District and Sessions Court exposed me to grassroots implementation of law for society's most vulnerable.

During my Aditya Birla Scholarship interview, I spoke about my dream of building enterprises that will put my country, Nepal on the map. When Mrs. Rajashree Birla later told me, "I am really happy for you," her belief became a promise I owed myself to honour. During my summer internship, I built McKinsey India's first enterprise-scale Al agent for a pharmaceutical client, earning a full time offer there. A class I took at IIM Bangalore taught me that lasting impact lies in creating enduring institutions. Being an Aditya Birla Scholar is a reminder of that promise, to build institutions the world associates with my country.

What makes the Aditya Birla Scholarship truly unique is the opportunity to become part of a community of exceptional individuals from diverse disciplines. Interacting with fellow scholars has broadened my perspective and inspired me to pursue leadership roles with empathy, purpose, and integrity. It reminds me that success is not merely measured by personal achievements but by the value we create for organisations, communities, and society. I aspire to leverage the knowledge, network, and values associated with the Aditya Birla Group to become a responsible leader who drives innovation while remaining grounded in humility

Being an Aditya Birla Scholar reshaped how I think about leadership, reminding me that every opportunity carries a responsibility to contribute to something larger. Dr. Pragnya Ram's reflections on ABG's CSR initiatives, particularly providing cochlear implants to children, reinforced my belief that thoughtful decisions create lasting social value. I carried this perspective into my summer internship, looking beyond immediate solutions to consider long-term impacts on the organisation and the broader ecosystem. The same philosophy shaped my educational work with UMEED, and now as Vertical Coordinator of UTSAHA, where I lead initiatives benefiting 500+ students across six rural government schools.