Smita Dalal PGP 1967 & Dilip Shah PGP 1966
Dilip was among the youngest in his class. Born and brought up in a town in Gujarat, he was studying for Master’s Degree in English Literature at Elphinstone College, Mumbai, when he first heard about the IIMA. He grabbed the opportunity.
The first year was challenging. Most of the subjects such as quantitative techniques, accounting, costing, finance, etc., were new for him. The campus life was also not easy. The poor living accommodation at Housing Board flats on Satellite Road, walking to ATIRA for daily classes through the muddy agricultural fields and eating stereotyped meals every daywas an ordeal.There was no other option in the vicinity. The tension of the class rooms, living conditions and the quality of food led to the revolt against the administration in the very first year of the management institute!
Late Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the first Dean of the Institute, came to the Housing Board flats.He convened a meeting of all students late at night in the open ground. In his characteristic style, he let the students vent their anger and frustration. He listened attentively. That solved half-the-problem!
The second year was fulfilling. The eight-week internship with big corporations was refreshing. Realisation that the real world valued IIMA product was morale booster. The tension of first-year had gone. Everyone looked forward to the prospects of moving to the IIMA campus and commencing their careers on promising note. For Dilip, the year was very special as he would walk out not only with a job and a career in pharmaceutical industry but also a soul mate!
Smita, a fiery fresher from Sydenham College of Commerce, Mumbai, was cherishing dreams of going to London School of Economics for her Master’s Degree. However, her family persuaded her to go to IIMA. At the interview, a panel member made a mistake of asking her if she would be wasting a seat and deprives a deserving candidate of his career. He got a mouthful.
At the Housing Board flats she was sharing an apartment with three other girls. They had a common hall. Dilip was a regulator visitor, but entry waslimited to the hall (unlike Two States). Once she got a letter from the Dean to come with Dilip and see him.Late Professor Ravi Mathai was then Dean. Dilip had also received a similar letter. As both had received the letter, they knew it must be something about their affair. Both were nervous and worried. They decided to meet with a senior veteran professor for guidance. He advised them to speak the truth and listen to what the Dean has to say. They met the Dean, who said: be more discreet and do not embarrass her room mates. By then everyone at the campus knew of the first IIMA couple inmaking!
Most part of her first year was spent in courtship with Dilip. The second year was an opportunity to meet, interact and work in teams with other boys in her class. Unlike the first batch, average age of her class was much younger and they bonded well. This bond is still alive today.
She got a job offer in the campus placement, but instead opted for ‘start-ups’ initially in services and then in manufacturing. After 25 years of hard work and having succeeded as a woman entrepreneur, providing employment to about 250 workers, she quit her two businesses in 1995 to travel and enjoy the best years of grand kids. Today, she works with Dilip.
Smita and Dilip are also proud of being the first parent couple of a son, Anish (PGP 92), graduating from the IIMA 25 years after they left.
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