By Naresh Priyadarshi, PGP 1997

Best Friends: Naveen Tahilyani, PGP 1997, and Girish Batra, PGP 1997

How did you two meet? What was your first impression?

Met Naveen first time on the first day at the dorm (D-15); we had rooms on the same floor; first impression – “cool guy and would always be candid”

Interactions with Girish were quite less at the campus at that time, but yes, the first impression was, “He is meant for doing something unconventional in life.”

Tell us about some of your fondest memories with each other.

With Naveen, good academic interactions at the dorm; we were in the same section too; he used to participate in get-togethers and dorm-parties, but had a very clear line of control and clarity on time allocation, without being rude; Naveen always maintained a calm demeanour 

Interactions with Girish happened more after leaving the campus, for various sessions/knowledge exchange, or while working together for Delhi NCR IIM Alumni activities as office bearers.

How do you keep in touch? What are your favourite activities to do together?

Since leaving the campus, Naveen and I have been in touch through phone calls; we could meet once in a while, though, as he is based in Mumbai and I am in Delhi. Along with several other batchmates, Naveen helped me during my critical health phase in 2021 and kept following up to check on my situation.  Humble, cool as ever. 

Met Girish quite often since 2016 onward, for augmenting IIM-A Alumni activities in NCR.  Later, in 2021, Girish was instrumental in mobilising our batch-mates to help me and my family, as a true friend; he kept following up with me in the years after that, despite his own health situations. Caring as always.