Seven students are closer to realising their dreams, such as taking a painting holiday in Spain and publishing a comic strip internationally, through an inter Bschool competition

WHEN DREAMS take flight

Seven students are closer to realising their dreams, such as taking a painting holiday in Spain and publishing a comic strip internationally, through an inter Bschool competition

Nikhil Mundhra, first year MBA student at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi, has always wanted to travel to Gandhi memorials in South Africa, and write a book about them, and about his Gandhi-centric stamp collection. He submitted this dream as an entry to Godrej’s Loud competition, and now, may be able to see it come to light.
PHOTOS: THINKSTOCK Last week, 15 finalists presented their aspirations, some adventurous, some serene and some socially inclined, to a jury comprising of Nisaba Godrej, president, human capital and innovation at Godrej Industries Limited and Associated Companies (GILAC), Vivek Gambhir, chief strategy officer and Sumit Mitra, executive vice president, human resources, among others, at the Godrej head office in Vikhroli.
The seven winners were awarded a cash prize of R1.5 lakh each and a pre-placement offer in Gurukul 2013, the summer internship programme at GILAC.
“Through my dream of collecting Gandhi stamps by travelling to Gandhi memorials in South America, I intend to popularise philately,” says Mundhra. “I also aim to become an author in the future and Godrej Loud lended me a stepping stone.”
One of the winners, Aneev Davis, a first year student of International Institute of Foreign Trade, dreamed of creating a comic strip for a leading national or international publication. “I made a flash animation featuring the characters of my comic, and it was appreciated by the judges. My win has motivated me to fulfill my long cherished dream of doing something different from the humdrum,” he said.

Godrej Loud, launched in July, was designed as a campus project which asked students from prominent institutions to share their dreams on Facebook.
These colleges included Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), Management Development Institute (MDI), Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), International Institute of foreign trade (IIFT), National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE), IIM Lucknow and Ahmedabad.
There were a total of 422 entries, with dreams ranging from directing a short film on a day in the life of an auto rickshaw driver to a painting holiday in Spain.
“Godrej Loud aims to identify the most passionate and creative individuals who would form the next generation of Godrej employees,” says Nisaba Godrej. “For the students, it is an exciting and enlightening experience and for Godrej it is a great way of creating a talent pool of potential employees.
“We plan to return next year in an even bigger way,” said Mitra.

WINNING VISIONS

ANEEV DAVIS
Create a comic strip that will be featured regularly in a leading national/international publication

ALI AKBER KAPADIA
Eliminate the water problem from Rui, Ujjain

AMANPREET KALRA
A painting holiday in Spain

NIKHIL MUNDRA
Travel to Gandhi memorials in South Africa and write a book on his experiences, and collect Gandhi stamps

RUPESH CHAUHAN
Enrol for flying lessons and get a student pilot license

BRIJRAJ DESAI
Study the ‘dangi’ way of life and hold an exhibition

SHAILESH KUMAR NIRALA

Set up an information centre at Dhuska, Uttar Pradesh