Vibrant reflection of the institute

Mr. Muktesh Pant with wife, Mrs. Vinita Pant

Mr. Muktesh Pant, born in the Kumaon hills of Nainital in 1954, is the son of a famous Hindi story and novel writer, Smt. Gaura Pant ‘Shivani’, and Shri Sukdeo Pant, a government servant. Mr. Pant, fondly called as ‘Micky’, had humble beginnings who grew up in a household along with his three sisters where books were windows to an outside world, and exploring the natural beauty of the hills was a way of learning and connecting with the Mother Nature. As the hills of Kumaon beckon him year after year, Mr. Pant not only visits his roots as often as he can, but has also contributed immensely toward the betterment of the society.

In an interview with the DoRA Office, Mr. Pant reminisces about IITK days, talks about his experience of working with giant corporates across the globe, and shares why Micky and Vinita Charitable Fund was founded.

You have worked in many countries. Corporate culture is thus bound to be different in each country. What challenges did you face initially and what has been your biggest learning?

As Indians, we tend to interrupt a lot, we need to watch out for that in other cultures and be better listeners. We need to speak more slowly and in a lower tone. Other than that, Indian people do very well as compared to most cultures because they work hard and do not get frustrated by small problems (we have learned by fire in India!)

The gender gap in the corporate world is still very wide. We see very few women in top positions. How do you think it can be changed?

If a company does not have women in senior positions, it shows that the management is not wise. Wisdom lies in choosing the best person for the job, and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that women make superior executives because they care for the team more than they do for themselves.

How has your leadership style evolved over the years while working with different corporates in different countries?

I do not think the style has changed that much, it's just that with more exposure you develop more confidence. Most companies face the same challenge – how to innovate and grow revenues while keeping costs down. The key is to have a healthy company culture and if you pay attention to that you will succeed.

You left a top marketing job at Reebok to start a business in Yoga. What made you take that decision?

I was in the sporting goods business for a decade and felt that the next phase of fitness will be not just the body, but the mind as well. I still believe that to be true.

Are great leaders made or born? Your thoughts.

I think great leaders are made, not born. They need great mentors and a good environment. That is why a company like HUL turns out so many leaders.

How do you balance hectic corporate life and personal life?

It is exceedingly difficult, especially when I was living and working in China and my family was in the US. But I admire people who are able to ‘switch off’ from work regularly.

Had you not been in marketing, what would you be then? Why?

I would love to be a chemistry teacher to school children. I think it would be extremely rewarding to kindle curiosity in young minds with chemistry lab demos, which border on magic.

Tell us about your childhood days in Nainital

I loved Nainital – the lap of nature. I used to love the winters as I was quite introverted and used to walk all around the hills and around the lake where it was quiet. My mother was a writer and my father a government servant – so my three sisters and I may have had little money, but we had great love for books.

What are your fondest memories of IITK?

My fondest memory of IITK is attending humanities courses, and my favourite was Psychology by Dr Usha Kumar. The concepts we were taught were eye opening, and frankly quite humbling.

Lifelong friends (IIT Kanpur)

Outside of regular work courses, what other activities would you suggest students to take up? In what kind of extra-curricular activities did you participate?

I would encourage students to take up any sport; it's refreshing and builds team spirit. Don’t worry if you’re not good at it, just showing up for practice is half the game. I wish I had taken part in more extra-curricular activities at IITK, though I fondly recall cycling to Lucknow and back from IIT with friends. I was fond of writing and was the editor of the campus magazine, ‘Counterpoint’, for a year.

En route with friends on bicycles from IIT Kanpur to Lucknow and back (ca. 1972)

What made you shift from engineering to marketing?

I was about to enter IIMA to do an MBA and had paid my initial fees, but then I was offered a job by Hindustan Lever, and they said that I could learn just as much at HUL as doing an MBA. The prospect of an immediate salary was tempting, and on top of it they offered me marketing. At the time HUL was considered the “mecca of marketing”, so I went for it.

How can IITK actively engage with its alumni?

I think IITK is doing a fine job, and the alumni reunions are the biggest opportunity. It is the duty of alumni to help their alma mater. The present administration is professional and very quick to react in my experience.

How do you think the development of the School of Research and Medical Technology(SMRT) going to benefit IITK in the long run?

I think there will be two main benefits: (a) SMRT will help bring engineering excellence to the healthcare sector, particularly in medical devices and software systems, and (b) IITK could become an incubator for healthcare start-ups. This will keep talent in India and develop a strong private sector in healthcare.

You have given back to your alma mater and to the society as well. Why is giving back so important to you?

As a family we have been lucky and have saved more than we need. We started giving back to charitable causes several years ago, and it was always extremely rewarding. We instituted Micky and Vinita Pant Charitable Fund to support medical research and rural development. When the SMRT vision was presented by Dr. Karandikar and others, Vinita and I felt this was a great cause and we should stretch our resources to make a difference. Through this Fund, we also support a number of causes that are dear to us in India, including Uttarakhand, and cancer research at University of Texas. My wife Vinita and daughter Sara are also actively involved in this, and I hope we can keep giving back more in coming years.

With wife, Vinita and daughter, Sara

What is your favourite activity outside of work? I would have to say playing golf with good friends.

I would have to say playing golf with good friends.

An avid golfer - playing at Augusta National, USA.

How did you spend your days in lockdown (due to Covid-19 pandemic)? Did you learn a new skill? Or pick up a new hobby?

I was lucky to be able to play golf as Texas had few Covid restrictions (I was living in Dallas at the time).

You are a marathon runner. What motivated you to be one?

I started running just after IIT and did it for a long time in every city I lived in. When I was at Reebok I was inspired by many top runners who worked there, and in 2001 decided to train for and run the London marathon. Then I ran London marathon again in 2007, and then the New York Marathon in 2014.

If you could go back in time and meet your younger self in IITK, what would you tell him?

I would say “Don’t be anxious, it all works out well in the end”

Have the hills of Kumaon ever beckoned you? Do you ever think of returning to your roots later in life?

All the time. I was there last in 2018 and miss Nainital and Almora terribly.

How would you sum up your life so far?

It has been great fun, and IITK was a key part of the foundation!

What is your life’s mantra?

I do not have a mantra. Just wake up to a new day!

What are your future plans?

Our future has its own plans, and I will do my best with whatever comes! I am really looking forward to the establishment and growth of SMRT.

Your message to IITK and its students.

Every student is incredibly special, and each one of you can make a big difference to society. Failure is your best friend. Beware of early success.