Chat Masala with Rahul Subramaniam

Athena Education Media Labs

Welcome to Chat Masala, presented by Athena Education, bringing you insights from the greatest leaders across industries. Learn what it takes to get to the top straight from the source. Hosted by Rahul Subramaniam, visionary educator and pioneer of the liberal arts. read less
Society & CultureSociety & Culture

Episodes

Fighting in the Afghan War | Interview with former Platoon leader, Rajiv Srinivasan | Chat Masala with Rahul Subramaniam
Jan 28 2024
Fighting in the Afghan War | Interview with former Platoon leader, Rajiv Srinivasan | Chat Masala with Rahul Subramaniam
Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia Book a counseling session here: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/book-a-session --------------------------------- Listen to Chat Masala on all major audio streaming platforms: YouTube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1W5oMYSMNnkKqacWyEmjeZ-wzNulPnGP Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mpj260Cz1c0HWLyoJusuY?si=05eba6be4cc647d5 Apple Podcast ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramaniam/id1696044234 Google Podcast ➡️ https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lNTM1NDk4Yy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Amazon Music ➡️ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a9f5bbc1-b618-4431-95ff-d624fec0fc28/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramaniam JioSaavn ➡️ https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramaniam/1/4aBA304oCGU_ Audible ➡️ https://www.audible.in/pd/Chat-Masala-with-Rahul-Subramaniam-Podcast/B0CB1Y4Q51 Radio Public ➡️ https://radiopublic.com/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramania-6BDKDa Castbox ➡️ https://castbox.fm/channel/Chat-Masala-with-Rahul-Subramaniam-id5505336
How VMart became a pan-India retail giant | Chat Masala with Lalit Agarwal, Founder of VMart
Nov 25 2023
How VMart became a pan-India retail giant | Chat Masala with Lalit Agarwal, Founder of VMart
Can you change an entire society with just a pair of jeans? In this episode of Chat Masala, our host, Rahul Subramaniam, interviews Mr. Lalit Agarwal, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of V-Mart, one of India's leading fashion and lifestyle retail chains. From growing up in a tailor’s shop after school and learning the trade to running his own business while in college, he shares surprising insights about how to sell high-quality, durable products to consumers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. With lessons in empathy, creativity, and strategic business decisions, he teaches us how to empathize with diverse regional cultures, and then drive change organically within those cultures, bringing liberalization and modernizing, with just a pair of jeans. ~~ Timestamps 🕒 0:00 - 0:42 Sneak peak 0:42 - 1:45 Introductions 1:45 - 5:57 Early years of entrepreneurship 5:57 - 8:40 Working in a tailor’s shop 8:40 - 12:22 Running a business during college 12:22 - 16:31 Selling to a vastly diverse India 16:31 - 21:28 Changing Srinagar’s fashion 21:28 - 24:45 Fashion drives social change 24:45 - 28:54 Reasons for VMart’s Success 28:54 - 33:48 Crucial entrepreneurship skills 33:48 - 44:26 The importance of mindset Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia Book a counseling session here. --------------------------------- Listen to Chat Masala on all major audio streaming platforms: YouTube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1W5oMYSMNnkKqacWyEmjeZ-wzNulPnGP Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mpj260Cz1c0HWLyoJusuY?si=05eba6be4cc647d5 Apple Podcast ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramaniam/id1696044234 Google Podcast ➡️ https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lNTM1NDk4Yy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Amazon Music ➡️ https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a9f5bbc1-b618-4431-95ff-d624fec0fc28/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramaniam JioSaavn ➡️ https://www.jiosaavn.com/shows/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramaniam/1/4aBA304oCGU_ Audible ➡️ https://www.audible.in/pd/Chat-Masala-with-Rahul-Subramaniam-Podcast/B0CB1Y4Q51 Radio Public ➡️ https://radiopublic.com/chat-masala-with-rahul-subramania-6BDKDa Castbox ➡️ https://castbox.fm/channel/Chat-Masala-with-Rahul-Subramaniam-id5505336 #vmart #vmartretail #retail #collegecounseling #clothingbrand #jeans #salwarsuit #leadershipdevelopment #professional #professionaldevelopment #youngentrepreneur #tier2
How this VC fund is Promoting Gender Equality | Seema Chaturvedi, Founder, AWE Funds
Sep 9 2023
How this VC fund is Promoting Gender Equality | Seema Chaturvedi, Founder, AWE Funds
Are financial returns and social returns necessarily at odds? Is there a way organizations can promote gender equity AND increase profitability exponentially? Join us for another illuminating installment of Chat Masala, hosted by Rahul Subramaniam, where we are in conversation with Ms. Seema Chaturvedi, founder of Achieving Women Equity (AWE) Funds. She is focused on investing in innovative enterprises that positively impact gender balance, by investing in women-owned, led, and influenced companies in India. Throughout the conversation, we dive into the difference between venture capital and private equity, how female entrepreneurs and startup founders can gain agency through technology, and the biggest reason companies are accidentally leaving tons of money on the table. ~~~ Timestamps: 0:00 - 0:58 Introductions 0:58 - 2:50 How to measure 'impact' 2:50 - 10:51 Financial returns vs Social returns 10:51 - 13:20 Gender balance in women-led venture funds 13:20 - 15:48 Venture capital vs Private Equity 15:48 - 17:30 The difference between equality and equity 17:30 - 21:40 Trends in female labor force participation 21:40 - 23:22 Women's entrepreneurs embracing technology 23:22 - 26:12 Seema's journey to founding AWE 26:12 - 27:50 Skills for young entrepreneurs 27:50 - 29:40 Advice for young men 29:40 - 30:53 Rapidfire ~~~  @AWEFunds  |  @awefunds4175  ~~~ Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Follow us on Instagram Website Facebook LinkedIn Book a counseling session here --------------------------------- Listen to Chat Masala on all major audio streaming platforms: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcast Google Podcast Amazon Music JioSaavn Audible Radio Public Castbox
I lost everything in cryptocurrency TWICE | Digital art in Web3.0 | Shash Gupta, founder of @AltcoinBuzz
Aug 5 2023
I lost everything in cryptocurrency TWICE | Digital art in Web3.0 | Shash Gupta, founder of @AltcoinBuzz
What is blockchain? Are you wondering how to invest in cryptocurrency? Let's venture into the world of Web3.0, where we interview Shash Gupta, founder of  @AltcoinBuzz  a media company helping people learn more about blockchain technology and crypto news. This is the perfect episode for crypto beginners! ~~~~ Timestamps 0:00 - 0:38 Preview 0:40 - 1:28 Introductions 1:28 - 4:28 Why I quit law 4:32 - 11:14 Switching careers 11:14 - 14:27 How to make money in crypto 14:27 - 16:14 Bouncing back from bankruptcy 17:04 - 22:53 The rise of blockchain 22:53 - 25:22 The future of Web3 25:22 - 26:00 Blockchain gaming 26:00 - 31:05 Government regulation of crypto 31:05 - 37:30 NFT art in the metaverse 37:30 - 39:08 Money is a tool 39:01 - 42:21 Secrets to entrepreneurship 42:21 - 44:08 Rapid fire ~~~~ Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia Twitter: https://twitter.com/AthenaEduIndia
Steel Factory to Harvard Business School to Social Entrepreneur | Bindi Dharia, Founder, VAll
Aug 1 2023
Steel Factory to Harvard Business School to Social Entrepreneur | Bindi Dharia, Founder, VAll
How does one go from being the only brown girl working on a 9,000 ton blast furnace in a steel factory to Harvard Business School (HBS) and then become a social entrepreneur? In this episode, we hear the story of Bindi Dharia, a social impact leader who got her start at the University of Michigan, then went to Harvard, and is now using technology to drive true social impact as the founder of VAll. Learn about how Harvard is the largest social organization and how to navigate the lack of diversity in the industrial workforce when you're in the minority. Don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to stay tuned for new episodes. Join us as we celebrate the triumphs of individuals who dare to forge their path in unexpected places and discover the beauty of cultural and intellectual exchange. #diversity #SustainableDevelopment #SocialChange #harvard #universityofmichigan #michigan ________ Timestamps: 0:00 - 0:30 Preview 0:30 - 1:25 Introductions 1:25 - 3:00 How I chose engineering at Michigan 3:00 - 4:20 Working in the most dangerous neighborhood in the country 4:20 - 15:00 Being a brown girl in a midwestern steel mill 15:00 - 16:07 What Harvard Business School taught me 16:08 - 19:27 The transition to social impact 19:27 - 21:50 Business principles in the non-profit world 21:50 - 25:10 How to maximize social impact 25:10 - 29:40 Building a central database of NGOs 29:40 - 35:55 How you can give back without money 35:55 - 41:40 How to verify NGO credibility 41:40 - 45:21 Rapid fire _______ Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia ​
What they don't tell you about the military | Major General Bhupesh Jain
Jul 26 2023
What they don't tell you about the military | Major General Bhupesh Jain
How do military officers survive in war? Do YOU have what it takes to become a soldier? Learn the traits of highly effective military leaders from Major General Bhupesh Jain, an alumnus of the NDA and the Indian Military Academy, former Indian military attaché to the US and Canada. In this nail-biting episode of Chat Masala hosted by Rahul Subramaniam, we uncover the not-so-glamorous side of war. After commanding an infantry battalion and fighting in Sri Lanka and Jammu & Kashmir, Major General Jain has garnered countless lessons in leadership, team building, and personal fulfillment. He shares how one can operate in life-or-death circumstances, and what the corporate world stands to gain from implementing military principles in its organization. Enjoy! ~~ Timestamps: 1:53 - 3:30 Introductions 3:31 - 6:10 Journey to NDA 6:11 - 9:44 Lifelong Learning 9:44 - 13:19 - Dealing with pressure 13:20 - 17:03 - Effective military leadership 17:04 - 17:40 - 5 needs of a group 17:41 - 20:28 - Conflict is Healthy 20:29 - 21:34 Breaking in a soldier 21:35 - 25:20 Balancing duty and personal life 25:21 - 30:05 Mil-to-mil diplomacy 30:06 - 31:18 US military 31:19 - 34:28 How to train a battalion 34:29 - 39:37 Don’t seek happiness 39:38 - 41:55 Leadership in Fatherhood 41:56 - 47:10 Rapidfire 47:11 - 48:02 The Athena Masala 48:03 - 51:12 Misconceptions about the military ~~ Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia
How I Built Twitter India | Rishi Jaitly, Ex VP, Twitter Asia Pacific & Middle East
Jul 17 2023
How I Built Twitter India | Rishi Jaitly, Ex VP, Twitter Asia Pacific & Middle East
A degree in the liberal arts can open you up to a world of professional opportunities. In this episode of Chat Masala, Rahul goes deep with Rishi Jaitly, a leader in the technology industry with an academic background that might surprise you! Join us as we extract insights from various fields—from non-profits and policy to tech and teaching—to arrive at the underlying humanity across them all. As Ex Vice President of Twitter's Asia Pacific and Middle East business, Mr. Jaitly drove strategic partnerships with news, government, entertainment, sports, and others in the mass and emerging media landscape. He shares key lessons of how he promotes leadership in his team, and reflections on storytelling, empathy, relationship-building, and effective communication. ~~~~ Timestamps: 0:00 - 0:37 Preview 0:37 - 2:37 Introductions 2:37 - 6:33 How he got into Princeton 6:33 - 10:55 Why he chose to study history 10:55 - 14:20 The role of passion in success 14:20 - 18:30 Director of Engineering vs VP Engineering 18:30 - 24:15 The language of leadership 23:40 - 31:01 How he grew Twitter India 31:01 - 35:36 Structuring the week 35:36 - 37:49 Rishi's R&R routine 37:50 - 39:39 Crucial life skills 39:40 - 49:08 Rapidfire ~~~~ Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development, college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia
What it takes to be an internet entrepreneur | Hitesh Oberoi | Co-Promoter and CEO of Info Edge India Limited
Jul 12 2023
What it takes to be an internet entrepreneur | Hitesh Oberoi | Co-Promoter and CEO of Info Edge India Limited
What are the secrets to becoming a leading Internet entrepreneur? This new and exciting episode of Chat Masala brings you yet another industry titan—Hitesh Oberoi—the Co-Promoter, MD and CEO of Info Edge India Limited. The first to pioneer internet companies in the Indian market, Info Edge owns companies across industries, from Naukri.com, the country's leading employment site, to 99acres.com, Jeevansathi.com, and Shiksha.com. They also have investments in over 25 internet startups like Zomato and PolicyBazaar. One of the pioneers of this astounding movement, Mr. Oberoi recounts stories from his childhood, and how these early life experiences taught him crucial lessons in teamwork, leadership, and humility that continue to shape him today. Mr. Oberoi's journey is incredibly relatable. In this episode, he shares memories of the stressful moments as a college student studying computer science at IIT Delhi, and the key decision he made to switch to management after he graduated. Through his exposure to interdisciplinary courses in economics, psychology, and English, he got exposed to facets of management that helped him realize his true passion. In our conversation, Mr. Oberoi also dropped major gyan about time management, sharing how he manages to juggle health, family, friends, and work with ease. So, settle in and enjoy this truly engaging episode of Chat Masala. Tune in now for Mr. Hitesh Oberoi! --- Timestamps 0:00 - 0:30 - Sneak Peak 0:30 - 1:00 Introductions 1:00 - 6:09 Childhood 6:10 - 10:20 College life 10:20 - 13:13 Why he changed his major 13:13 - 15:00 Professional life 15:00 - 18:40 Finding work-life balance 18:40 - 22:20 Keeping his finger on the pulse 22:20 - 27:07 Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 22:08 - 30:27 Daily routine for success 30:27 - 35:42 Key decisions in his life 35:45 - 38:45 Critical skills for the upcoming decade 38:45 - 41:03 Advice for young people 41:03 - 44:48 Rapid fire -- About Mr. Hitesh Oberoi: With over 20 years of experience in the internet industry, Hitesh is part of various industry forums. He is a charter member of the TiE, New Delhi and also the past Chairman of IAMAI – The Internet and Mobile Association of India. Hitesh is also one of the Founders and a Trustee of Ashoka University and of the newly set up Plaksha University. He is a big believer in using education as a major tool for development and in the power of philanthropy to transform the Indian education landscape. Hitesh won the Prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for Business Transformation in the year 2008 along with his Partner. He has also been awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award of 2019 by IIM Bangalore. --- Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications, and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia
Breaking Barriers: why women should take risks in their careers | Anuranjita Kumar
Jul 12 2023
Breaking Barriers: why women should take risks in their careers | Anuranjita Kumar
Welcome to another delectable episode of Chat Masala, where we bring you inspiring stories and insights from remarkable people. Today, we have an incredible guest, Ms. Anuranjita Kumar, CEO of WeAce, who champions workplace safety, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. Ms. Kumar's journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As a teenager, she pursued writing and eventually authored two books. Her career trajectory saw her transition from Citi to RBS, and she ultimately left her corporate job to start her own company. Ms. Kumar shares her takeaways from her experience in HR and what people can do to make workplaces safer and more inclusive. She also talks about her motivation to help women and her vision for the future of WeAce. So, buckle up and get ready for a truly engaging and impactful episode of Chat Masala. Tune in now to listen to Ms. Anuranjita Kumar! --- About Ms. Anuranjita Kumar: Ms. Anuranjita Kumar is a seasoned human resource professional with over 26 years of experience working in senior roles across Asia, North America, and Europe at companies such as Citi, Royal Bank of Scotland, and P&G. As the Founder and CEO of WeAce, a global platform focused on engaging, enabling, and employing women in the industry, she has engaged over 100 clients and helped thousands of women. She chairs the Board of the American India Foundation and is a Director on the board of Plaksha University – a new-age university geared toward future-tech learning. She is also on the advisory board of SHRM India. An accredited executive coach and author of two books (Can I have it all? and Colour Matters?: The Truth That No One Wants to See), Ms. Anuranjita has been named one of Fortune's Most Powerful Woman Leaders 2013 and was included in The Economic Times' Women Ahead List 2018. She is also involved in philanthropic work and volunteers with underprivileged children while also mentoring several upcoming startups. Ms. Anuranjita holds a management degree from XLRI, specializing in Human Resources, and is a gold medallist and topper in industrial psychology from Delhi University. --- Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League, with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia
A publishing powerhouse in the digital era | Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO, Penguin Random House India
Jul 12 2023
A publishing powerhouse in the digital era | Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO, Penguin Random House India
Get ready for a podcast episode that's packed with intriguing insights! Join us on Chat Masala as we sit down with Gaurav Shrinagesh, the CEO of Penguin, to rekindle your love of reading. Discover Gaurav's journey from his days at Sanawar to his rise as a renowned publishing professional. Hear about his perspective on the evolving role of books in today's society, how Penguin has adapted to the digital age, and his unique approach to managing a team of creatives. Don't miss this captivating episode of Chat Masala, where you'll get a peek into the mind of a seasoned publishing professional and gain valuable insights into leadership, creativity, and success. About Gaurav: Gaurav Shrinagesh is a dynamic leader in the publishing industry, currently serving as the CEO of Penguin Random House India. With a career spanning two decades, Gaurav has emerged as a prominent leader, driving Penguin Random House India to become the leading publisher in the region and home to many of the region's most beloved authors. Having joined Bertelsmann in 1999 through the prestigious Bertelsmann Entrepreneurs Program, Gaurav has held various senior positions within the company, gaining a global perspective through his work in South East Asia, Australia, Germany, New York, and China. In 2009, he was appointed as the Managing Director of Random House India, and before he took over as the CEO of Penguin Random House India in 2013. Gaurav's expertise encompasses strategy and M&A, content, new media and digital, and change management, and he has successfully built businesses from startup to scale. His visionary leadership and innovative approach have been instrumental in propelling Penguin Random House India to new heights of success. Gaurav holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Statistics from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, and an MBA from The Melbourne Business School. He is known for his deep understanding of the industry landscape, unwavering passion for publishing, and ability to adapt to changing trends, making him a driving force in the publishing industry in India and beyond. --- Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League, with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia
The Pursuit of Simplicity with Gaurav Pachnanda, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Jul 11 2023
The Pursuit of Simplicity with Gaurav Pachnanda, Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India
Chat Masala is about to unleash a legal powerhouse! We're thrilled to welcome Mr. Gaurav Pachnanda, a distinguished Senior Advocate in the Indian Bar, known for his outstanding work in commercial litigation and arbitration. With this legal luminary, get ready to strap in and dive deep into the thrilling world of bar and chambers! About Mr. Gaurav Pachnanda: A renowned senior advocate at the Indian Bar, he has established a formidable reputation in commercial litigation, arbitration, and advisory work. Over the past years, he has garnered extensive experience in the legal profession, which has earned him a vast wealth of knowledge and multi-jurisdictional expertise. He is not only recognized in the Indian jurisdiction but is also a Registered Foreign Lawyer at the prestigious Singapore International Commercial Court since September 2016. He is also a distinguished Professor of Legal Practice and Honorary Adjunct Professor of Law at Jindal Global Law School of O.P. Jindal Global University, where he imparts his commercial litigation and arbitration expertise. In this episode, you’ll learn how Mr. Pachnanda broke new ground, choosing to pursue law despite descending from a long line of doctors. Our guest opens up about the overwhelming journey from a small town in Jammu to Oxford University, which ultimately launched a fulfilling career in the legal field. Timestamps: 0:00 - 01:20 Precap 01:20 - 01:50 Introduction 01:50 - 03:16 Jammu to Oxford University 03:16 - 04:40 Applying to Oxford 04:40 - 05:53 What kind of 'body of work' takes you to Oxford for law? 05:53 - 08:23 What extracurricular took me to Oxford? 08:23 - 10:24 Life at Oxford 10:24 - 11:33 Why is writing a tool for court craft? 11:33 - 12:57 Pre-court ritual 1 12:57 - 13:51 Where do you get your ideas from? 13:51 - 17:26 Why start early in the morning? 17:26 - 18:18 Pre-court ritual 2 18:18 - 21:31 Preparing for the unknown 21:31 - 24:42 Mastery over complexity 24:42 - 26:21 No two cases are alike 26:21 - 28:32 Practicing detachment from court cases 28:32 - 38:26 Planning career in law 38:26 - 39:27 Life gyaan 39:27 - 48:41 Rapid fire Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League, with students in eleven countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia To sign up for a free counseling session - book a session here - https://calendly.com/athenaeducation/counseling-webinar
Chat Masala feat. Shailaz Nag | Co-Founder of DotPe
Jul 8 2023
Chat Masala feat. Shailaz Nag | Co-Founder of DotPe
Introducing Chat Masala, the podcast series that's sure to add some flavor to your mental palate! Join us as we bring insights and stories from successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders in various fields hosted by Athena's co-founder Rahul Subramaniam. Shailaz Nag, the founder of, DotPe and PayU, shares his journey in the fintech industry. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode will leave you craving for more. About Mr. Shailaz Nag: Mr. Shailaz Nag is an accomplished entrepreneur, co-founder, and CEO of DotPe, a leading Indian fintech startup. Having previously built PayU and the Ibibo group, he has worked at Yahoo and garnered over 25 years of experience in technology. Under his leadership, DotPe has become a fast-growing startup in India, providing merchants with an end-to-end solution for online ordering, payments, and customer engagement. Mr. Shailaz is known for his strategic vision, customer-centric approach, and ability to build and lead high-performing teams. DotPe gives restaurants a complete commerce ecosystem for in-store and remote ordering. Apart from last-mile delivery and reduced commission, DotPe gives restaurants a sophisticated ordering experience through a digital catalog, invoices, and payments and access to customer data and analytics. What stands out is how DotPe has served 8 million merchants in less than three years. With Dotpe, businesses can create their online store and menu, accept customer orders via their website, social media, or in-store QR codes, and process payments through various methods, including credit cards, wallets, and UPI. About Athena: Athena Education was founded nine years ago by two Princeton graduates, passionate about bringing visionary education to India. They founded Athena to enable high-school students to receive a world-class education, gain admission into Ivy League and other elite universities worldwide, and become the best version of themselves. Our robust team of writing counseling experts, in-house tech, research, and art mentors, and Harvard admissions consultant provide one-on-one support in all areas—from extracurricular profile development to college applications and even essential life-skill building. Athena Education is now a leading education consulting firm modeled after the Ivy League, with students in eleven countries. Chapters: 0:00 - 01:47 Introduction 01:48 - 04:14 Future of DotPe 04:15 - 08:40 Business insights 08:41 - 11:57 Childhood years 11:58 - 14:20 Dealing with criticism 14:21 - 16:14 What makes you an entrepreneur? 16:15 - 19:35 Life gyan 19:36 - 21:38 Never back down 21:39 - 23:09 How do you inspire and motivate others? 23:10 - 30:50 Cricket analogies and business 30:51 - 32:49 Walk us through your day 32:50 - 40:25 Rapid fire round 40:26 - 44:10 The Athena Masala Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ To sign up for a free counseling session - book a session here - https://calendly.com/athenaeducation/counseling-webinar