Well-known model, former Miss India finalist, trained Bharatnatyam dancer, state-level tennis player, budding pianist and businesswoman — co-founder of A lot of dreams, a charitable trust — Shvetha Jaishankar has quite a few diverse interests and the will to excel in everything she takes up.
Her college life, which she spent studying commerce in Ethiraj College (1996-99), Chennai, and MBA in Indian School of Business (2003-04), Hyderabad, was filled with simple pleasures. “Now, sometimes we have to remind ourselves to be in the moment! College life was a first for many things — be it the first trip with friends or my first drink or first love,” says the 33-year-old. Belonging to an era when ragging wasn’t illegal, Jaishankar enjoyed those bullying sessions with her seniors.
Snowfields and the Fruit Shop on Greams Road were her two favourite hangout spots in Chennai. Jaishankar got her big break while in college — she was second runner up at Miss International (Tokyo, 1998)and life was never the same. “I am glad to have had the opportunity to have been a part of that. If my college hadn’t supported me, I would not have had the all-round experience,” she says.
Shvetha returned to studies after a hiatus with the MBA programme at ISB. “ISB’s one-year programme is challenging and applying for it was one of the best decisions I have taken. You have to take GMAT and TOEFL tests, which require great preparation. I studied and did a lot of practice tests before I took the real one. Plus you have to be ready for a personal interview. It was difficult especially after a break but I just had to put my head down and get through it,” recounts Jaishankar.
ISB life involves “a lot of hard work, competition and teamwork. But you also bond despite all this in a lasting way. We had a lot of get-togethers, cultural events, sports competitions, concerts etc because we all lived on campus and ate and worked together so often. On weekends we would head to the city or there would be a networking event of some kind. In the beginning it was tough. I felt like an outsider, but within a few months there was no turning back. I really cherish the ISB experience,” Jaishankar says.
But the one-year stint wasn’t without its embarrassing moments! “I am sure there were times when my professor caught me sleeping from fatigue or found me dreaming and asked me to answer something. It happens to many,” says Jaishankar in good jest.
Given a chance, would she go back to college? “Yes! It was a time when life wasn’t so serious and I didn’t have to plan for my future nor did I have the time to dwell on the past. I just lived in the moment!”.
— preethi@newindianexpress.com