Alumni News
IIMB Alumna Vasuta Agarwal appointed Independent Director at IndiaMART
IIM Bangalore alumna Vasuta Agarwal(PGP 2009) has been appointed as Independent Director and Board Member at IndiaMART InterMESH Limited, marking a significant milestone in her professional journey.
Vasuta brings with her nearly 14 years of leadership experience at InMobi, where she played a pivotal role in driving global ad monetization and shaping the company’s international expansion strategy. Her tenure at InMobi is widely recognized for steering growth at scale, building high-performing teams, and crafting innovative business models in the dynamic digital ecosystem.
At IndiaMART, Vasuta’s expertise in digital transformation, scaling businesses, and creating sustainable growth pathways will contribute meaningfully to the company’s governance and strategic vision. Her appointment underscores IndiaMART’s commitment to strengthening its leadership bench with diverse perspectives and proven experience.
The IIMB community celebrates this achievement, proud to see its alumna contributing at the highest levels of corporate leadership.
PhD Alumnus from IIMB, Rajesh Chandwani, Wins National Award for Best Documentary
Rajesh Chandwani (PhD 2013, IIM Bangalore) has won the 71st National Film Award (Silver Lotus) for Best Documentary for his film God, Vultures and Human. Produced with Studio Lichi and directed by Rishiraj Agarwal, the film sheds light on the critical but under-recognized role of Organ Transplant Coordinators (OTCs) in India’s healthcare system.
The documentary captures how OTCs guide grieving families in making life-saving organ donation decisions, turning moments of loss into hope for others.
The film has also received global recognition, featuring at the Dokubaku International Documentary Film Festival (Baku) and premiering at ISOT 2024 in Ahmedabad.
Currently on the faculty at IIM Ahmedabad, Rajesh dedicated the award to OTCs, calling their work “placing hope within grief and revealing the quiet miracle of life within the shadow of death.”
IIMB congratulates Dr. Chandwani on this remarkable achievement.
IIMB Alumna Sanchali Sharma’s Talkingly AI Recognised Among UK’s Top 10 Startups
IIMB alumna Sanchali Sharma (EPGP 2020) is making global strides as the Co-founder & CPO of Talkingly AI, a Delaware-based startup transforming customer engagement with AI-driven solutions.
In June 2025, Talkingly AI was invited to pitch at London Tech Week, presenting its vision before thousands of investors and technology leaders. Earlier this year, the company was named one of the Top 10 Startups in North England by the Tech Nation Rising Stars Competition, a prestigious UK government-backed recognition celebrating innovation and high-growth ventures.
Under Sanchali’s leadership, Talkingly AI has already raised pre-seed and seed rounds, positioning itself as a fast-emerging player in the AI ecosystem.
IIMB congratulates Sanchali on this milestone and looks forward to witnessing her continued success on the global stage.
Celebrating Prof. Rajendra K. Bandi’s Remarkable 27-Year Career at IIMB
After a distinguished 27-year tenure, Prof. Rajendra K. Bandi from the Information Systems area has retired. His journey began with a PhD from Georgia State University, following degrees from NIT Jamshedpur and XLRI Jamshedpur. Before settling into academia, he honed his understanding of technology and management with ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards and NIIT Technologies. He also taught at Georgia State University and Florida Gulf Coast University and enriched several institutions worldwide as a Visiting Professor—spanning Cologne, Madrid, Vietnam, IIM Tiruchirappalli, IIM Visakhapatnam, and XLRI.
At IIMB, he led flagship courses such as Managing Digital Transformation, Strategic Information Systems, and Object-Oriented Software Engineering. His research on Information Ethics, ICT’s Social Impact, and Trust in the Digital Economy earned him accolades like the NIT Jamshedpur Lifetime Achievement Award and honors at AIMS and ICIS. Beyond academics, Prof. Bandi served in leadership roles including Dean–Administration and Board of Governors member. His steady hand during critical phases, such as ERP implementation and COVID-era administration, will be fondly remembered. We express our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes as he embarks on the next chapter.
IIMB Alumnus Pavan Govindan’s Book Makes Amazon Bestseller List
We are delighted to share that Pavan Govindan (EEP 2013, IIM Bangalore) has achieved a remarkable milestone with his book Rama’s Code: Ancient Dharma for Modern Founders, which has secured a spot on the Amazon Kindle Bestseller charts under eBooks and Kindle store
The book blends timeless wisdom from the Ramayana with practical lessons for modern entrepreneurs, offering a unique perspective on leadership and decision-making.
You can explore the book here:
Congratulations, Pavan, on this inspiring achievement.
IIMB Class of 1980 Celebrates 45th Reunion in Alleppey
The Class of 1980 came together in Alleppey to celebrate their 45th year reunion from 7–10 August. The gathering saw 15 alumni travel from across the globe, including the USA, Dubai, and different parts of India, to reconnect and reminisce.
Over the course of the reunion, classmates shared memories, celebrated milestones, and reflected on their journeys since their time at IIMB. The event was not only an opportunity to relive fond moments but also a reminder of the deep bonds formed on campus that have stood the test of time.
The reunion in the scenic backwaters of Kerala was marked by warmth, laughter, and a renewed sense of camaraderie. IIMB congratulates the Class of 1980 for keeping their spirit alive and cherishing lifelong connections.
(Photographs from the reunion are attached for readers to enjoy the memorable moments.)
