Professor Sunanda Muralidharan or Sunanda Mam, as we call her, is not just a faculty with 20 years of experience in industry and academia but more of a guide and inspiration to us students. Her passion for her subject (Finance) is reflected in her teaching, compelling even those not interested in finance to fall in love with the subject. She believes that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop” and she advises us students to keep doing something, keep ourselves updated as we are to become future managers. This is an excerpt of the conversation we had with her:
There is a lot of love, commitment and dedication which we students can feel when she takes classes. We ASB students wanted to know if teaching was her dream career.
Not really. I wanted to be a chartered accountant. Instead somehow I ended up with an MBA. I worked for 9 years in the industry after which I got a chance to work in ICFAI as a faculty. I was mostly involved in course material development which added a lot to my credentials and it was a great experience as it gave me an ownership of the work I was doing. I also took workshops on entrepreneurship development and conducted several faculty development programmes. But yes I never thought I would end up in the teaching profession.
It is interesting to note how individuals move in their life. From industry to ICFAI, we asked Sunanda Mam how she today is a part of the ASB family.
I was in Chennai, when I met “Amma” for the first time since then my life took a different path altogether. Later on when ASB advertised for a faculty in my area of specialization, I applied and since then I am a part of the ASB family. When I told Amma about that I was joining ASB she said, “Ammakku Sathoshamayi”. I am glad I took the decision then. I am very happy and satisfied here today I believe I am in one of the best professions. No other profession gives as much satisfaction and joy as does teaching. It is a great feeling to share knowledge with young minds that are eager to learn. Though sometimes you have to scold them for their poor performance and correct papers which talk of not finance but I am not sure what, it can be a little disturbing. But at the end of the day it is a delight. I will always be grateful to Amma for guiding me to ASB.
It takes tremendous perseverance, strength, and courage to be a successful woman. She has a number of roles to manage successfully as many lives revolve around her. We wanted to know from Sunanda Mam as to how she manages these different roles so successfully. We also wanted to know if she had a role model she looked up to?
Yes it is not easy to adorn so many roles. Today I am a teacher, the admissions coordinator (2007-08), Secretary of my apartments and I have a family to manage. It gets complicated sometimes but I enjoy the challenge, as I don’t believe in sitting idle. Today time has become a precious commodity and one can’t afford to waste it. I believe that it’s the responsibility of every individual to give back something to the society. It’s not easy, as my current responsibilities require me to stay away from family for long periods, and some times the work pressure gets on to you. There are times when you want strength from somebody. But, in today’s world it is not feasible to depend on anybody as no one has the time. My family and friends are always there but I look into myself for strength first. I believe one should be able to derive strength on his\her own; it gives you a sense of independence. Also years of experience as a teacher has inculcated in me patience and perseverance which I believe are my biggest strengths. Then there is always Amma who is and will always be a guiding light. As for a role model, he\she is one you want to emulate. I can’t think of anyone specific, but I believe that everyone is gifted with some special traits and I try to incorporate in me the best from people I come across. Amma, is someone I try to follow as she is on a much higher level than most of us which I believe is unattainable for me.
As we were getting to know more and more about Sunanda Mam we were also getting curious to know, what she felt about ASB, the different batches she came across, and some of the happiest moments she had in ASB.
I’ll be completing 7 years in ASB this June, and every moment spent in ASB holds a special place in my heart. ASB is a B-School with a difference. It creates managers for tomorrow by imparting not just management education but the values that will equip the student to serve mankind in a better way. Also, I have developed a special bond with my faculty colleagues. This is a special institute where everyone is ready to help in the growth of another individual; this quality passes down to the students as well, which is another beauty of ASB.
ASB has given me memories that I will cherish forever. I remember the time when we had taken the 2001 batch to the Coimbatore Brahmasthan Festival which is celebrated every year. The students washed the plates of the devotees with great delight, which was considered a very humble gesture by everybody present at the camp. I was very proud of my students; it is one of my most cherished moments. Also every time my students are placed, it gives me immense pleasure. Unlike the corporate world teaching is the only profession where one feels delighted to see one’s students attain greater heights in life, much above yours. It is very satisfying when students keep calling back even after they are placed to just enquire how I am doing. It is too difficult to explain this feeling in words and one can know it only it when one experiences it!!!
We always knew we had a special place in her heart but we wanted to hear this from her. And now it was time for the most interesting views about students of ASB…
About the students here I have been very happy with every batch. The environment of ASB is such that it makes students good natured, they are ready to help their fellow mates at all times. There is an environment of healthy competition among students which facilitates better learning. However I’d give one advice to the student fraternity, it is always better to come prepared to class, as it encourages greater participation and thereby encouraging greater learning. This also requires greater responsibility on the part of the students. They should take the initiative to learn by participating in activities like writing papers, analyze real life cases, and more importantly they should eat good food, and take regular exercise. As good health is a necessity in a residential B school like ASB with a very rigorous programme.
Megha Agarwal
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