Editor,
With the Common Admission Test (CAT) registration deadline approaching, I find myself reflecting on the reasons that drive so many of us to pursue an MBA degree. My own background in engineering gave me a strong technical foundation, but the world of business offers its own fascinating narrative through products, pricing, markets, and strategies that shape the global economy.
For those aiming to make their mark in the corporate sector, an MBA serves as a bridge between technical expertise and business acumen. It equips professionals with the skills to solve complex problems, develop effective strategies, and drive significant business impact.
In my consulting work, for example, we facilitated a global OEM company transition into a subscription-based model known as Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS). Instead of selling equipment outright, this model involves leasing it, ensuring a steady revenue stream and enhancing customer engagement. By integrating IoT and AI technologies, we enable real-time monitoring and continuous improvement of the equipment. This demonstrates how MBA-trained professionals drive innovation and solve complex business problems effectively.
However, the value of an MBA extends far beyond the conventional corporate career path. An MBA equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to launch and scale their own businesses. Exposure to various aspects of business management—finance, marketing, operations, and strategy—provides a holistic understanding crucial for starting and growing a venture. For instance, Vineeta Singh, an IIM Ahmedabad alumna, exemplifies this perfectly through her venture- Sugar Cosmetics, which had modest beginnings but has grown into a major player in the Indian beauty market, valued at Rs 4,000 crores. Singh’s success is attributed to her deep understanding of the Indian market and her ability to create products tailored to Indian women’s preferences, coupled with innovative digital marketing strategies.
While, it is true that many people achieve success in these areas without formal business education. However, my time at IIM Bangalore has enlightened me about the profound impact an MBA can have. The program provided me with valuable knowledge and skills and expanded my horizons in ways I had not earlier anticipated.
Those from Meghalaya exploring career paths through an MBA can unlock opportunities that might once have seemed distant. As CAT registrations come to a close, I encourage prospective students—to consider not only the career benefits of an MBA degree but also the broader impact it can have on personal and professional growth.
Yours etc.,
Gracel Joe Kharmawlong,
IIM Bangalore
Alumnus of St. Mary’s,
Via email
Death of societal conscience
Editor,
Release of all the arrested persons accused of murdering three innocent non-tribals in Ichamati and Shillong a few months back on identical grounds i.e failure to file charge sheet within the mandatory time frame by the investigating officers appears nothing but scenes from a well scripted drama in which the Government, administration and law enforcing agencies have performed their roles to near perfection as protagonists. The conscience of civil society, as spectators of the theatre, never got stirred and remained aloof ignoring the presence of the murderers in their homes or immediate neighbourhood. There is no point putting the blame on the law enforcers or the persons at the helm for their lack of neutrality and righteousness because after all, they have also come from the same inert society.
Yours etc.,
N.K. Kehar,
Shillong-3
Has the Govt. turned a blind eye to drugs menace?
Editor,
It is an appalling fact to note that in the past two-three months, Shillong’s new epidemic, drugs, has crippled civil security. Localities are reporting cases of petty to major thefts on a regular basis, that too with such events occurring in broad daylight now. What is even more appalling is that the heart of the problem lies in the regions of Polo, Oakland and Bivar Road – areas where some of the top politicians, bureaucrats and legal dignitaries officially reside, including the Chief Minister.
In fact, there are dens of drugs in extremely close vicinity to the Chief Minister’s Bungalow, where peddlers and consumers have been sighted regularly. This begs the question whether the government has willingly turned a blind eye to this drug menace? When top politicians and officers with all their trained and glorified security aren’t able to do anything about the drug menace, despite the problem taking place in close proximity of their residences, is there still any excuse they have to trot out?
In fact, this has gone to the extent that the police now refuse to take action against such drug consumers and peddlers. The narrative they put across is that arresting them would mean increasing liability on the police, given the sheer number of drug users, and hence, even if they take them to the police station, all they can do is threaten them and eventually let them go with a warning.
Civil security has come under great threat at this point. With daylight break-ins, regular cases of petty thefts and chain snatching practices, Shillong is becoming an extremely unsafe place and so far, the Government has chosen not to do anything about it. A crackdown on drugs is the need of the hour if civilian faith and trust is to be restored on the government for its efforts on curbing this extremely critical drug menace.
Yours etc.,
Patrick Kurbah,
Via email
Traffic Police please restore discipline on the roads
Editor,
I write this letter as a frustrated citizen overwhelmed by the regular traffic jam. In Shillong, people do not obey traffic rules nor road safety norms. There is no traffic discipline. So, no matter what action is taken by the authorities to ease the traffic flow in the city it will only go in vain. Even if you build flyovers, underground roads , sky-walks, bicycle lanes, more parking spaces, widen the roads, bring school buses, special buses, taxis or even aeroplanes there will be no change if we are not willing to change our attitudes and driving behavior.
People here park their cars everywhere even in the middle of the road be it private or public vehicles. Cars do not follow their own lanes, overtaking even when there is traffic jam, especially the two wheelers that overtake by crossing the line and switching lanes thereby causing obstruction to vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Sometimes these vehicles are pushed to the footpath which is very dangerous for pedestrians. One example is the way to Upper Shillong from Anjalee petrol pump. There are many vehicles going to Upper Shillong that do not follow their own lanes. They overtake and either take abrupt turns before reaching Rilbong or go straight to Upper Shillong. What is more frustrating is that even the traffic personnel do not take action. Sometimes these vehicles that overtake cause obstruction to those who are taking a right turn to Jhalupara- Mawprem side and create chaos at the junction.
Also everyday in the morning at Rilbong junction before the traffic personnel arrive, vehicles going to Jhalupara- Mawprem side take a shortcut at the junction thereby causing a bottleneck like situation for those cars coming from Upper Shillong and proceeding towards Anjalee petrol pump. Traffic rules should be strictly implemented and nless we follow traffic rules obediently there will never be any change in the traffic scenario in Shillong. The only solution to ease traffic problem at this moment is to create awareness on road traffic rules and safety among all drivers be it private or public vehicles cars and people should be penalized with heavy fines as per rules. Only then there will be responsible driving habits among all. I am sure when we all learn to drive responsibly there will be lot of changes in the traffic scenario; more so it will help to alleviate traffic congestion to a large extent.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”- Mahatma Gandhi
Yours etc.,
S.Lyngdoh,
Via email