Author Archives: Kushagra

31^st May, 2025 – “Sustainable mindset” a topic which resonates deeply with our ethos at Narayana Business school. We have carried NBS sustainably for over 24 years and as India’s fastest growing B school founded by academicians we continue take active initiatives to remain committed to our ethos and roots and nurture the young leaders of rising Bharat. 

Continuing the momentum, we invited Brigita Bracko, Founder of The Leadership Rewiring Lab™, a certified Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapist from Bali, Indonesia and a licensed Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) practitioner. Through neuroscience-based tools, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Hypnotherapy, and Organizational Psychology, she creates powerful mindset shifts that drive sustainable transformation.

The workshop was hosted by Mr. Vishal Tiwari – VP Growth & Strategy At NBS, and was joined by NBSians, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Unlike typical workshops that focus on what to think, this session taught participants how to think. The approach emphasized on understanding the root causes of mental patterns, developing strategies and creating sustainable change through awareness rather than willpower.  

What Do We mean By Sustainability And What Is A Sustainable Mindset? 

Sustainability is about making sure there’s enough left over for tomorrow and the next day, and for everyone else too.  

A sustainable mindset takes a big idea and brings it home to you. It means learning to think ahead, to balance your needs today with what you’ll need in the future. If you’ve ever stayed up late working on a project, only to feel exhausted and unproductive the next day, you’ve seen what happens when you ignore sustainability in your own life.  

A sustainability mindset asks you to notice when you’re stretching yourself too thin whether that’s staying glued to your phone, overcommitting at work, or squeezing too many social plans into a weekend and to give yourself permission to slow down before you burn out.  

Brigita Bracko began with a warm smile. “But what if I told you that the most important thing to sustain is actually your own mind and well-being? That’s what a sustainable mindset is really about learning to think and live in ways that don’t burn you out or drain the people around you.” 

Sustainability is about fundamentally creating systems of thinking and being that can endure, regenerate, and thrive across time without depleting the resources, whether mental, emotional, social, or environmental, that sustain them.

Key Workshop Highlights On Sustainable Mindset And Peak Performance   

The workshop addressed critical areas that often hold people back from reaching their full potential:  

Mind Training For Peak Performance: 

The workshop revealed how to rewire the brain to perform well in high-pressure environments. Unlike traditional motivational approaches that focus on temporary inspiration, this session taught participants how to create lasting mental patterns that support consistent excellence. 

Bracko explained that most performance goals are undermined not by lack of talent, but by unconscious mental habits that work against success. Participants learned specific techniques to identify and modify these patterns, creating a foundation for sustainable achievement.

The Science of Fear and Emotional Intelligence:  

A breakthrough moment came when participants learned about the true nature of fear and emotions. “We experience more than 80 different emotions, yet fear dominates our decision-making,” Bracko noted. “Understanding that fear is simply our brain’s way of trying to protect us changes everything.” 

The session explored how fear often becomes counterproductive in modern life, causing people to avoid opportunities, freeze in important moments, or make decisions based on outdated survival instincts. Participants discovered practical methods to acknowledge fear without being controlled by it.

Key insights included: 

• Fear is not the enemy – it’s trying to protect you 
• You can observe your thoughts without being trapped by them 
• Emotions provide valuable information when properly understood 
• The mind can be trained like any other skill 

Unlocking Self-Awareness: The 5% Problem:

Perhaps the most eye-opening revelation was learning that most people operate with awareness of only 5% of their mental processes. This means 95% of thoughts, reactions, and behaviours happen automatically, often working against stated goals and values. 

Bracko guided participants through exercises to expand their conscious awareness, teaching them to: 

• Recognize unconscious thought patterns 
• Identify triggers that lead to unwanted reactions 
• Develop the ability to pause and choose responses 
• Build stronger connections between intention and action 

“Self-awareness is the first step to sustainable change,” explained Bracko. “When you can observe your mind in action, you gain the power to direct it consciously.” 

Revolutionary Approaches To Mental Training 

Brigita introduced several groundbreaking concepts that challenged traditional self-help approaches: 

The “And” vs “But” Principle  

Participants learned a simple but powerful language shift that can transform thinking patterns. Instead of using “but” (which dismisses previous thoughts), using “and” allows for more complete, balanced thinking. This small change helps break the cycle of all-or-nothing thinking that often leads to mental paralysis. 

Working with Negative Emotions Instead of Against Them 

Rather than trying to eliminate negative emotions, the workshop taught participants how to work with them constructively. “Negative emotions actually make us feel more alive and provide important information,” Bracko explained. “The goal isn’t to be positive all the time – it’s to be aware and responsive.” 

The Prehistoric Brain In Modern Times 

A fascinating segment explored how our brains, designed for prehistoric survival, often work against us in modern environments. Participants learned why the mind tends toward negativity (it kept our ancestors alive) and how to retrain these ancient patterns for contemporary success. 

Understanding Sustainable Mindset With Expert Insights  

“High performance goals are often held back by our actions, not our intentions,” noted Bracko during the session. “When we recognize our thought patterns and understand that we can really change our beliefs, transformation becomes possible.”   

Throughout the workshop, Bracko shared profound insights that resonated deeply with participants:   

On the Nature of Change:  

We start to build our subconscious from where we are born. Most of what drives our behaviour comes from patterns established early in life. But here’s the exciting part, when we become aware of these patterns, we gain the power to consciously reshape them. 

On Dealing with Difficult People:  

In relationships, the sustainable mindset is asking ‘What is this person battling through right now?’ instead of taking their behaviour personally. Understanding that everyone is fighting their own internal battles changes how we respond to conflict.  

On Self-Improvement:  

The goal isn’t to become someone else, it’s to become more consciously yourself. When you understand how your mind works, you can direct it toward what truly matters to you.

On Fear and Growth:    

Fear doesn’t act upon you – it becomes anxiety when you think about the future or regret when you dwell on the past. In the present moment, fear is just information about what needs attention.

There was one “aha” moment in the workshop where Brigita asked all of us to look around and remember all the “blue” coloured objects around us. For a minute we did and came back. Then she said, “Now tell me a “red” coloured object around you without looking, and there was a pause, a cinematic pause, nobody knew the answer signifying that our focus is always rooted to where we look. 

Parting Thoughts On Sustainable Mindset 

We live in times, where anything and everything is and can be glorified. To some extent and all of us being guilty, glorified the “overwork hustle” culture too. Always quoting a few exceptions that work we built a narrative that hustle brings purpose, that forget health and work, that sacrifice sleep and work, that forget relationships and work.  

Have you ever noticed that you might have 100s of problems in your life, but the moment you fall ill, there’s only 1 problem in life? To get back up? Doesn’t it signal something? That there’s nothing without health? 

While being ambitious is fruitful, and all successful things in the world once started with an obsession, it is important to keep a check on yourself, to sustain your body and mind. A small habit for lasting impacts.  

It is imperative that we adopt a sustainability mindset moving forward in our lives, not just for us but for the people around us too.  

“This workshop represents our commitment to holistic education,” said Vishal Tiwari.  

“We believe that academic excellence must be paired with emotional intelligence and mental resilience. Our students and community members deserve tools that will serve them throughout their lives, not just in their immediate academic or professional challenges.” 

NBS Ahmedabad continues to offer cutting-edge workshops and programs designed to prepare students and professionals for success in today’s demanding world.  

Keep an eye on our events page to be a part of such transformative experiences: https://nbs.edu.in/events/  

22^nd May, 2025 – Alumni talk show is the signature initiative by the Alumni Association of Narayana (AAN) with the motive to create an inclusive environment between the students and alumnus of NBS. With over 9,400 alumni, this talk show was also born from the idea of exploring whether what we teach and preach truly holds up in the real world, once our students enter the corporate world or advance in their careers. 

This talk show acts as a direct proof of the ethos of Narayana Business School, the ethos required to build, to succeed and most important of all, to build and succeed sustainably. On that note, we invited Trapti Tiwari – Sr. Manager People Success (Talent & Culture) at Infeedo AI for the second episode of Alumni talk show to talk on the topic of “The science and Art Of Managing People’s Growth” hosted by Vishal Tiwari – VP – Growth & Strategy at NBS Ahmedabad. 

Trapti Tiwari’s Journey Of Growth  

Trapti opened the session with a reflective account of her early days, navigating through different cities like Mandsaur, Ahmedabad, and Gurgaon. She candidly spoke about the anxiety she experienced at the age of 18 and how those challenging years shaped her resilience. “Too much anxiety at that age, but no one teaches you how to manage it,” she said. “Sometimes you just have to keep moving as life itself becomes the teacher.” 

While having lived in different cities throughout her career, each city had its own diversity and made Trapti understand a lot about people and their background they are coming from. Like what we discussed in our recent webinar on Rise of Bharat, Trapti has been through the two Indias, one in the metro and the other in the towns. Her geographical, professional and interpersonal experience is what compelled us to speak to her as she knows the true art and science of managing people’s growth.

All of this has helped Trapti become a compassionate human and better HR professional. Today she works at Infeedo AI, Asia’s leading employee experience platform that helps engage employees, predict attrition & answer FAQs with conversational AI that people love. 

Science Of Managing People’s Growth   

As an HR, the art and science of managing people’s growth is a very crucial task especially in today’s time as it is very easy to be swayed by bogus narratives pushed forward by social media. The agenda of the webinar was to showcase NBSians and other fellow attendees what skill sets you require to manage people as an HR and the kind of candidate every HR should look for their organization. 

She emphasized that students should not measure every task against their ego. Instead, she encouraged them to benchmark themselves internally and use every experience as a stepping stone, even if it’s outside their comfort zone. Referring to her own early days, taking every given task as the ultimate challenge and the hunger to do it in the best of best way is what works in real life. While attaching a few ups and downs in a professional environment to your ego can be fatal, focusing on the efficiency of tasks, interpersonal skills, transparent communication is what can take individuals higher and farther in their careers.

Quoting loosely from Maslow’s hierarchy, she urged students to find purpose beyond self-validation. “Don’t tag everything to your ego. Try to benchmark the task, not your pride,” she said. 

“Even if you don’t enjoy something,” she advised, “ask yourself what you can learn. That mindset completes the journey faster than any shortcut.” 

Art Of People Management  

While touching upon the art of people management, Trapti ideal traits she looks for while hiring a candidate and what every HR should learn and observe to do as well.  

Ownership, Curiosity and the Courage to Disagree 
Central to the “art” of people management, Trapti suggested, are three non‐negotiables: 

1. Ownership. Leaders look for candidates who treat challenges as personal missions. 

2. Curiosity. Asking why and how sparks innovation and fuels continuous improvement. 

3. Constructive Dissent. “I don’t want yes-men,” she quipped. “When you disagree respectfully, you push the team forward.” 

She illustrated these traits with examples from her hiring experience at Infeedo AI, where candidates who took initiative rather than waiting for direction, earned callbacks and offers. She reminded us that people management remains, at its core, a deeply human endeavour. 

Tripti’s message to students was clear: while tools, certifications, and technical know-how are essential, what truly propels careers and organizations forward are mindset traits that cannot be automated or templated. 

To build a culture that cultivates these attributes, she offered three tips: 

• Hire for traits, train for skills: Prioritize potential and mindset over a perfect CV. 

• Reward initiative: Publicly recognize those who step up, question, and contribute beyond their roles.
• Model dissent at the top: Leaders must welcome disagreement to make it safe for others to do the same.  

 

Is AI Really Replacing Jobs? Trapti Touches Upon Crucial Topic 

According to Forbes, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants now handle up to 70% of routine HR inquiries, everything from leave requests to benefits questions. Eventually freeing HR teams to focus on high-value activities such as coaching and culture building  

Likewise, The Guardian reports that an AI-enabled payroll platform reduced one HR team’s monthly processing time from two days to under an hour, enabling them to spend more time on employee relations and onboarding.  

“There’s a lot of noise about AI replacing jobs. But the reality is AI is removing the repetitive parts so you can focus on being more productive and creative,” she said.  

By offloading repetitive and rule-based duties, AI frees HR professionals from the “busy work” that once filled their days. The result is twofold: 

1. Productivity Gains: HR teams can process larger volumes of tasks with higher accuracy and far fewer delays or errors. 

2. Creative & Strategic Bandwidth: Freed from administrative bottlenecks, HR practitioners can devote time to higher-value activities such as designing innovative engagement programs, coaching managers on leadership best practices, or analyzing workforce trends to inform talent strategy. 

UPCOMING WEBINAR ON AI: CLICK HERE  

Parting Thoughts On The Webinar   

One of the crucial things which was touched upon in the webinar by Trapti Tiwari for students was to work, work like it was your ultimate challenge and strive to make the task a benchmark for others. That’s how you grow in your initial years. Don’t tag everything to your ego, communicate as much as you can and stay CURIOUS.  

Another thing noted by Mr. Vishal Tiwari after being asked a question “sir what if we don’t like our jobs?”, he said, if you don’t like anything but it is important for your overall survival, find ways to through that phase of life as quickly as possible instead of being complaining about it.  

And that is what we desire from the students of NBS Ahmedabad, to have a solution-oriented mindset, which is farther life helps organization and the individuals personally too. It’s easy to blame-shift, whether on a person, the situation or God, but what matters is how quickly you take responsibility, fix the hiccup and move on the bigger fish. That’s what being a good HR is about, that’s what is the art and science of managing people’s growth.  

Ahmedabad, 21^st May, 2025 – As India’s fastest growing B school, we are compelled to stir up the conversations often ignored by mainstream narrative. We feel compelled to nurture our students and faculty to stay in touch with ground narrative. And we are compelled to act and build in extension of our ethos and truly contribute to the rise of Bharat in 2025.  

We are not just a new age B school based out of Ahmedabad, we are the pioneers of this knowledge driven world, providing the best opportunities and exposure to individuals beyond the metros. 

To stir up the dialogue, we conducted a webinar on “The Rise Of Bharat: Talent Beyond Metros” and invited thought leaders across industry. They were: 

1. Prachi Singhal – Chief People Officer | Tribastion Technologies 

2. Nishad Joshi – Tech Manager | EY 
3. Harshdeep Dhillon – General Manager | Sure Placements  

In the opening remarks, Nishad Joshi, an HR professional and implementation expert, asked a perfectly timed question to the entire audience, “There’s a very famous monologue of Vir Das saying, ‘I come from two Indias’, so which India to you come from?”, and that set the tone for the entire webinar.  

Towns Of India With Big Impact And The New Role Of Institutions 

The webinar titled “Rise of Bharat: Talent beyond metros” saw panellists sharing anecdotes from their journeys and experiences in education and employment. 

Prachi, an HR leader, shared her transition from Dehradun to western India, emphasizing that “intent matters more than just knowledge.” She underlined how students today are more aware, more driven, and have access to tools and exposure that were once limited to urban elites. 

As per a report published by datareportal in February 2025, India counted 806 million internet users, with penetration at 55.3% of its 1.46 billion population. Crucially, 62.9% of Indians still live in rural areas, and internet growth in these regions is outpacing urban centres two-to-one.  

Harshdeep, who has been in and around industry-academia placements highlighted how connectivity has become the great equalizer post-COVID, opening doors for rural and semi-urban talent like never before. “There is fierce competition, but those from smaller towns often come with a deeper passion to change the legacy of their families”. 

What he meant is that individuals coming from towns have a deeper sense of purpose, probably an added obligation to become something, support their loved ones and earn a reputation in their careers. All of this in turn becomes added fuel, builds a problem-solving mindset to pursue, perform and stay curious in their professional front making them better managers for any organizations.  

Also, he noted that individuals coming from towns showcased a higher sense of loyalty and affinity towards their work and the company as well. They stick to one organization longer than those hailing from the metros. This is also one of the reasons why many companies prefer individuals who came stay with them longer as it is beneficial in multiple areas both for the individual and for the company.  

Now, this dialogue does not undermine any individual’s potential basis their geographical affinity, instead it brings a fresh perspective of the rising India and where the current recruiters are eyeing their next managers.  

In recent years, there has been a notable shift in recruitment strategies among Indian companies. Organizations are increasingly looking beyond metropolitan areas to tap into the rich talent pools of smaller towns and rural regions. This trend is driven by a combination of factors, including the desire for a more diverse workforce, cost efficiencies, and the recognition of the unique qualities that candidates from these areas bring to the table. 

The discussion also examined the role of educational institutions. “B-Schools today play a crucial part not just in education but in building confidence and bridging students to corporate ecosystems,” said Prachi. The focus, according to the panel, should be on developing a problem-solving mindset, learning effective communication, and tapping into the consumer awareness of today’s students. 

NBS Ahmedabad recognized this emerging shift towards smaller towns nearly two decades ago. Founded by an academician duo, we have engaged at the grassroots level and ascended to the top, witnessing the two Indias firsthand. We have always believed in the potential and loyalty of Bharat’s talent emerging from towns. Understanding the responsibility of cultivating the mindset in a knowledge driven world, we take proactive steps and initiatives to support our ethos and help students make the most out of their 2 years spent with us, beyond textbooks.  

While textbook knowledge is important, we are observing a significant and adamant shift in the demands of recruiters to employ only practically exposed students and not just number toppers. Through our various portals like Alumni association of Narayana (AAN), Narayana centre for research and innovation (NCRI) and industry partners with NISM, EY, JITO JIIF, CII and many more, we are home to a 100% digital campus and ensure maximum exposure to students hailing from towns of India, often struggling to secure the right admission and the right B school. Our evaluation patterns go beyond just numbers and rather focus on the entire personality of the student.

Parting Thoughts On Embracing The Talent Of Bharat  

The narratives shared by panellists emphasized a pivotal shift in India’s socio-economic fabric. Small towns and rural regions are no longer just passive participants but active drivers of change. Their stories serve as a clarion call for policymakers, educators, and businesses to recognize and nurture the immense potential that lies beyond the metros. 

“Individuals from towns often have an added hunger to work. They have resilience, loyalty, and drive,” emphasized Vishal Tiwari, closing the session on an inspiring note. 

We at NBS Ahmedabad emphasize on building an entrepreneurial mindset among these students, teaching them how to start a startup, providing initial support and the knowledge required. We do this in the hopes and beliefs that students coming from towns, after getting the best knowledge and exposure will go back to their towns and build there. This is turn will fuel the growth of tier 2 and tier 3 cities, eventually contributing to the rise of Bharat by the talent beyond metros.  

Ahmedabad, Gujarat (9^th April, 2025) – NBS Ahmedabad who is now a proud member of AACSB and BGA global B school networks has further elevated its fleet of industry partnerships with NISM being the newest entry. NBS Ahmedabad has signed an MoU with National Institute of Securities Market (NISM) to provide an edge to its students that are rarely provided by a B school.  

This strategic collaboration is designed to equip students with specialized knowledge of securities markets and industry-recognized certifications, directly addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in the financial sector.  

The B school offers India’s First PGDM in Quantitative Finance integrated with EY CAFTA. A two-year full-time postgraduate diploma course designed to equip students with advanced financial theories and practical skills in quantitative analysis, financial modeling, risk management, and algorithmic trading.  

The world narrative is constantly changing, and employers are looking for professionals who can adapt quickly and apply their learnings in real-world situations. NISM certifications are often required for roles like investment advisors and research analysts, and this partnership ensures NBS students graduate with these credentials. 

Sanjeev Bajaj, General Manager at NISM took a dedicated session for our students explaining the dynamics of securities market, by SEBI promotes NISM at large and how NISM certifications can act as a catalyst in a students’ professional journey.

Key Highlights Of The Collaboration: 

End-to-End NISM Certification Support 

One of the most significant aspects of this partnership is the comprehensive support provided to NBS students for NISM certification exams. These exams are not just optional qualifications but regulatory requirements for many roles in the financial sector. 

• Targeted Exam Preparation Courses: Students will receive specialized training tailored to NISM certification exams, blending conceptual rigor with exam-focused drills. 

• Logistical Assistance: Support for exam registration, fee waivers, and access to NISM’s official study materials, ensuring students can focus entirely on their preparation. 

Immersive Industry Exposure 

Beyond certification support, the collaboration emphasizes experiential learning to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry practice. Key initiatives include: 

• Study Tours: Visits to key financial institutions such as the NISM campus tour, NSE/BSE trading floors, SEBI headquarters, and asset management firms to provide firsthand insights into market operations. 

• Industry Expert Lectures: Regular guest sessions by fund managers, fintech innovators, and regulatory experts on crucial topics.  

Enhanced Employability 

NISM certifications are not only advantageous, but they are also often mandatory for many roles in the financial sector. By ensuring students graduate with these certifications, NBS is giving them a significant edge in the job market. Partner financial institutions like Yes Bank, Bajaj finserve and HDFC securities can prioritize NBS students for roles in trading, compliance, and research, opening doors to exciting career opportunities. Additionally, the global recognition of NISM certifications in markets like GCC and ASEAN provides students with international career prospects, broadening their horizons beyond the domestic job market. 

But Why Did NBS Collaborate With NISM? 

There are nearly 18 lakh (1.8 million) unfulfilled jobs in the financial services sector due to skill gap and unemployability issues, said a top official of the FPSB India. 

This collaboration directly addresses this gap by equipping students with the specialized knowledge and certifications required to fill these roles, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation. 

In an industry where ethical considerations are paramount, NISM certifications emphasize compliance and investor protection, aligning with SEBI’s focus on market integrity. This gives NBS students a reputation for ethical rigor, a key differentiator in a sector prone to scandals and regulatory scrutiny. 

As technology continues to disrupt traditional financial practices, the program’s focus on fintech tools like TensorFlow for predictive analytics ensures that students stay ahead of the curve. By integrating these advanced topics into the curriculum, NBS is future proofing its students’ careers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an industry that is constantly evolving. 

Results – A Recent Study Tour To The NISM Campus Navi Mumbai

Recently, NBS students went on a 3-day immersive study tour to NISM’s campus in Navi Mumbai. This trip was a direct result of our partnership with NISM and gave students a chance to learn in ways textbooks simply can’t provide.

Day 1: Understanding SEBI’s Role in Market Regulation 

Students gained invaluable insights into how the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates and protects financial markets. This session provided a deep understanding of the regulatory framework that underpins India’s financial system, equipping students with knowledge that is essential for any career in finance.

Day 2: Derivatives and the 2008 Financial Crisis

Led by Dr. Dhiraj Jain, this engaging session explored the complexities of derivatives and their role in the 2008 financial crisis. Students learned how such events impact global markets and the lessons that can be drawn for future financial decision-making.

Day 3: Commodities Market and Live Trading Simulation 

The final day offered a hands-on experience of the commodities market, including a visit to the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). Students also participated in live trading simulations, where they practiced placing buy/sell orders, using stop-loss strategies, and managing risks. 

According to recent industry reports, over 75% of job postings in the financial sector require NISM certifications, highlighting the growing demand for professionals with both technical expertise and regulatory knowledge. This study tour directly addresses this need by providing students with hands-on learning and industry-recognized credentials. 

Parting Thoughts On The MoU With NISM 

At NBS, we believe that the best education is one that goes beyond the classroom. By partnering with NISM, we are ensuring that our students not only understand the theories but also know how to apply them in real-world scenarios. As the financial industry continues to evolve, NBS remains committed to providing our students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed, both in India and globally.