IIM Ahmedabad grad G. Ramachandran chooses politics, gives corporate career a pass
Have you dared to walk on an untrodden path to fulfil your dreams? Doing something that is drastically different is not a cup of tea for everyone. Doing something that breaks all the clichés of the society needs strong will and determination.
To achieve something out of the box, one has to work hard and plan well. Just like G. Ramachandran.
Ramachandran, an Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, pass out, chose neither to take up placements nor start his own venture. He decided to do something different – serving the society and impacting the lives of others.
“I decided to do this by choosing politics as a career path. It excites me that I would be able to leverage my management education in such a path,” says Ramachandran. He decided to serve the society on a larger scale. He dreamt big and now has fulfilled it.
Shiksha.com interviewed Ramachandran to know the story of MBA to politics. We discovered various interesting facts about his future plans and his views on youth joining politics.
1. Tell us about your educational and professional background before doing an MBA.
Ramachandran: I did my schooling from PERKS Matriculation Higher Secondary School, followed by Diploma in EEE from PSG Polytechnic College and then Engineering in BE (ECE) at PSG College of Technology. Thereafter I worked for three years at FACE – Focus Academy for Career Enhancement (2010-2013) as the Business Development Manager. Initially, I was handling six districts but later on became the Tamil Nadu Head.
2. Where did you pursue your MBA Internship?
Ramachandran: I tried interning with AIADMK party but I couldn’t due to Parliamentary elections. My second option was to intern with my previous company FACE, so I interned with them.
3. Why politics over your own start-up or a job?
Ramachandran: Firstly, my goal and ambition has always been to contribute to the society and create an impact in the lives of people. I decided to do this by choosing politics as a career path. It excites me that I would be able to leverage my management education in such a path. Secondly, my father Singai Govindarasu, who passed away 16 years ago, relentlessly worked for the public. He is my role model.
4. If the ultimate goal was politics, then why did you opt for MBA?
5. Who is your inspiration for opting for Politics?
Ramachandran: My father!
6. So have you started your political journey? What would be your current role in the party?
Ramachandran: Yes, since 2007-08, I am working for AIADMK party. I am a Youth wing member. Right now, I am not sure about the specific role or opportunity that I will get in the party. I am working along with the existing leaders and youth in the party. I am sure that they will guide me and give me responsibilities. I am also planning to request for an appointment to meet the party leader Dr J Jayalalitha and request for an opportunity to contribute. Looking for exciting roles and responsibilities in the party.
7. Please tell us about your future plans.
Ramachandran: Nowadays, there is a general perception among people that politics is not a place for youth to build their careers. I want to break this perception and bring more youth into politics. I wish to contribute and learn politics by experience so that I can help other youth enter politics because to continue the good work done by politicians so far and to bring new changes in the system we need many young people to be on board. There is also a dearth of diversity in our political system in terms of age, academic backgrounds, etc. I hope to be part of a change on this front too.
8. Would you ask youth to join Politics?
Ramachandran: Yes, if that is their passion. I want more youth to enter politics but I am not asking everyone because I strongly believe that each and every youth should follow their passion. Life becomes joyful if you work on something that makes you happy when you get up every day. We cannot ask A.R.Rahman to play cricket just because we need good batsmen.
9. India’s youth doesn’t look up to Politics as a career prospect. Why do you think this is the case?
Ramachandran: Firstly, if you are entering politics, you need an economic engine that will meet your financial needs. If you don’t have one then you will consider politics as that economic engine because of which you will end up doing corruption. It is not so easy to develop an economic engine since that is capital/risk intensive i.e. starting a business, building it to a level such that it will run independently and then enter politics.
Secondly, I think it is the entry barrier. How many parties encourage youth to enter politics and support them?
10. What can be done to encourage the youth to take active part in the country’s political affairs?
Ramachandran: More youth should be given opportunities to run in local, state and central elections. Once they win, perform and share their story with the rest of the country, then more youth will enter politics. Imagine that you can be an engineer only if your father is an engineer or if you are a celebrity or if you have money. We would not have seen so many inventions in engineering field. That is what is happening in politics. Students get influenced and aspire to become engineers/doctors/lawyers by listening to the success stories and by meeting them.
We can probably have a forum once enough youth are there in politics to guide other youth who are passionate about politics. We don’t have any such forums. If a youth wants to become an engineer, he/she will go and ask an engineer for guidance. Where will a youth go now to get guidance to become a politician? This should be addressed!
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