By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 5: Mihsalan Truh, a 24-year-old from Lumshnong in East Jaintia Hills, has achieved a significant academic milestone by earning his MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong.
Truh’s success highlights the growing aspirations of youth from Meghalaya’s coal belt. He received his degree during the institute’s 17th Annual Convocation on April 2, where 469 students graduated across various programmes, including PGP, PGPEx, and PhD scholars.
Reflecting on his background, Truh said the achievement felt “overwhelming.” He attended Star Public School in Lumshnong before moving to Shillong Commerce College for his higher secondary education. He later earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh.
After clearing the Common Admission Test (CAT), Truh chose IIM Shillong over other premier institutes to remain closer to home.
“I always wanted to become a business leader. Studying at a top institute helps you understand the broader business perspective,” Truh said. He described the curriculum as rigorous, noting that students often survived on only a few hours of sleep during the initial months. “It was tough, but it taught us discipline and consistency.”
Truh has already secured a placement with a Reliance Networking firm in Noida, though he is currently exploring other opportunities before his expected start date in May. Notably, he had declined a job offer after his BBA to focus on pursuing his MBA.
Offering advice to CAT aspirants, Truh stressed that success requires more than just subject knowledge. “Consistency is key for any exam. CAT is about speed, accuracy, and smart work. Students must also stay updated on current affairs to perform well in interviews,” he said.
During his time at IIM Shillong, Truh also worked with the state government and interacted with various industry professionals. “The exposure over the past two years has been transformative,” he said. “No matter how difficult things get, you have to keep going. Success depends on your willingness to keep learning and improving.”
The graduates included 395 from the PGP, 54 from the PGPEx, 15 from the PGPWE programmes, and five PhD scholars.
Chief guest Anoop Mehta, president of Bharat Diamond Bourse, and guest of honour Vijay Kedia, MD of Kedia Securities, urged graduates to prioritise adaptability and ethical leadership in an evolving, AI-driven global economy. Board Chairman Shishir Kumar Bajoria encouraged the class to serve as contributors to a “Viksit Bharat” by embracing innovation and social responsibility.
Director (I/C) Professor Naliniprava Tripathy highlighted the Institute’s growth, noting its debut in the QS Global Rankings and the expansion of international collaborations to 37 MoUs. She also announced that IIM Shillong will host the 11th Pan-IIM World Management Conference in 2026.
Top academic honours were awarded to Priya Agarwal (PGP), Rixon Xavier Thaikattil (PGPEx), and Prithwijit Dasgupta (PGPWE) for the highest CGPA. Divyan Aggarwal (PGP) and Bishal Ram (PGPEx) were recognised as Best All-Rounders, while Ajay MP (PGP) received the Institute Gold Medal for campus contribution. The ceremony concluded with a formal pledge for excellence and ethical practice.
