They say, “A school shapes the mind; but it is the stories of its alumni that awaken the ambition within it.”
Mushtifund Aaryans Higher Secondary School had the privilege of hosting two remarkable alumni—Mr. Shashwat Salgaonkar and Mr. Shubham Tiwari—for an inspiring interaction session that offered students a rare glimpse into life beyond the cl-assroom, the world of competitive examinations, and the evolving demands of professional careers.
Session by Mr. Shashwat Salgaonkar
The first address was delivered by Mr. Shashwat Salgaonkar, an alumnus of Aaryans who pursued his B.Tech at IIT Madras followed by a PGDM from IIM Ahmedabad. He is currently a Senior Product Manager at Tata Administrative Services, Bengaluru.
Mr. Salgaonkar traced his journey from his formative days at Aaryans to the rigorous academic environment of IIT Madras and the dynamic learning ecosystem of IIM Ahmedabad. He spoke of his early love for Mathematics and Physics, and how helping peers during JEE preparation strengthened his own understanding—a reminder that collaboration often sharpens competence.
Through vivid anecdotes, he described the breadth of experiences IIT Madras offered—from continuing his passion for quizzing to attending talks by eminent personalities such as Rakesh Sharma and the Dalai Lama. His visits to Sriharikota, home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, and to HAL during the commissioning of the Tejas aircraft gave students a sense of the immense possibilities that lie ahead for the curious mind.
He candidly acknowledged moments of self-doubt and the importance of friendships, hobbies, and resilience in overcoming them. His early professional journey—from dismantling aircraft at Neptunus to working across Tata Group companies in the TAS program—highlighted the value of critical thinking, communication, and continuous learning in the corporate world.
He concluded with two quotes that shaped his outlook:
“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray” – Robert Burns
and
“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find you get what you need.” – The Rolling Stones
Session by Mr. Shubham Tiwari
The second talk was delivered by Mr. Shubham Tiwari, a graduate of NIT Calicut and IIM Lucknow, now a Senior Consultant with PwC US, Bengaluru.
Mr. Tiwari began by recalling how passing the Aaryans entrance test had once felt like a major achievement and how Aaryans instilled in him the belief that “preparation beats pressure.” At NIT Calicut, his involvement in the Aerospace Group and Quiz Club broadened his interests beyond textbooks and taught him the value of teamwork and collaboration.
He spoke about his role at Bosch India, where he worked on product strategy and emission compliance, which helped him realize his deeper inclination toward people management rather than machines. This led him to pursue an MBA at IIM Lucknow—a journey filled with intense academics but also rich experiential learning. His entrepreneurial venture, Bhukkad, though financially challenging, taught him resilience, leadership, and accountability.
In his current role at PwC US, he works with billion-dollar enterprises on strategy, operations, and emerging AI-driven solutions, illustrating the scale and impact of management consulting. He encouraged students to maintain an abstract framework for their future—broad directions that guide decisions even when certainty is not possible—and to embrace failures as stepping stones, just as he did after scoring poorly in his early Aaryans tests.
The session concluded with heartfelt thanks extended to Mr. Shashwat Salgaonkar and Mr. Shubham Tiwari for sharing their journeys, wisdom, and time. Their stories of perseverance, exploration, and growth left a lasting impression on the students.
The audience also expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Vyankatesh Prabhudesai (VPD Sir) for thoughtfully organizing such enriching interactions, which equip students with the clarity and exposure needed to make informed academic and career choices.
Siyan Xec
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