Tarun Chauhan, PGPX 2023-24
I never really chased labels. Not the “perfect job role,” not the “best package,” not even the most glamorous career switch. For me, it was always simpler, and perhaps harder than that: I just wanted to be satisfied with what I was doing.
That clarity didn’t come overnight.
I come from a modest, agriculture-rooted family in Uttarakhand, where the idea of stability isn’t just practical, it’s inherited.
After engineering, I began my career in 2011 with Maruti Suzuki in product management.
– yes, the OG product management even when it wasn’t a trendy title.
It was exciting, hands-on, and in many ways ahead of its time. But somewhere along the way, I found myself drawn toward the familiarity and security that government service promised, a feeling that I inherited from my family.Joining the Indian Railways wasn’t a calculated move, it was intuitive, almost embedded in my upbringing to take up a government job.
Years into my role in Railways, managing supply chains, life took a turn, not through ambition, but through family again.
My wife, Deepti, who had taken the leap to pursue an MBA herself, became the quiet force behind my next step. She inspired, and pushed me to think beyond where I was, not because something was lacking, but because more doors could be opened.
That’s how I found myself at IIM Ahmedabad.
Returning to academics after years in service was anything but easy. Those days were intense, a constant stretch between expectations and reality. My plan was to focus on finance, but ultimately strategy and marketing had significantly reshaped my thinking. The IIMA experience pushed me to my limits – academically, mentally, and even physically.
I was fortunate to have a memorable stint with the IIMA badminton team during our Inter-IIM sports competition (PS: sacrificed many pre-reads for practice :-P).
But beyond classrooms and coursework, what stayed with me were people. Friendships that began in light moments became anchors during more difficult phases. Our PPG2 group, and my special bond with the “all boys syndi-B8” gave me lifetime memories to cherish. Those shared struggles, honest conversations, enjoying “chaas” on weekends, and moments of support will stay with me forever.
During the challenging phase of placements to pursue new roles and lucrative packages, I found myself reflecting on a simple question: What do I really want?
Basically, three things that anyone would desire – stability, exposure, and peace of mind. I realised that the work I had been doing in automotive product management & supply chain management before my MBA was similar to many roles offered after it.
The difference was just perspective – the thought was now in terms of strategy, sustainable implementation, and impact. Moreover, I understood how to position my work, and to communicate it better. So, I chose to return.
Not because I couldn’t transition, but because I didn’t need to. And, what IIM Ahmedabad really gave, goes beyond skills or subjects – it changed my perspective. IIMA is a brand I now carry with me, and with that comes a certain discipline.
There’s a constant, quiet reminder in my mind that my work, my depth of research, decisions, and even the way to express my thoughts, should reflect the institution I come from. Today, my work feels more meaningful than ever. Strategy is no longer just short-term planning; it’s a vision. Marketing is no longer a function; it’s a mindset. And leadership is not just about managing people; it’s about creating clarity. Receiving the Deepak Ratan Memorial Award added another layer to this journey. What began as a simple application process, gradually turned into something more reflective.
Learning about the legacy behind the award brought a quiet sense of responsibility, a feeling that recognition isn’t just about achievement, but about maintaining a certain way of thinking and contributing. And then there’s IIM Ahmedabad itself. It’s not just an institution you graduate from, it’s something you carry forward. Being associated with it comes with an unspoken expectation: that your thoughts, your words, your work should reflect a certain depth and discipline. It’s a brand, yes, but more than that, it’s a standard you begin to hold yourself to. If there’s one thing I’ve figured-out through this journey is that careers are rarely linear, and success is rarely loud.
We often run behind titles, packages, and roles, only to realise that satisfaction doesn’t automatically follow them. At some point, you have to pause and ask yourself – not what looks better, but what feels right. For me, the answer was simple: do meaningful work, stay humble, and keep doors open, not just for opportunities, but for growth: hopefully everything else tends to fall into place.
