My name is Manavkumar Bharat Panchal, and I completed my Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Operations from Durgadevi Saraf Global Business School (DSGS) in 2025. Today, I work as a Senior Executive in Freight Forwarding at Babaji Shivram Clearing & Carriers Pvt. Ltd. Looking back, I can say without any doubt that my two years at DSGS were some of the most enriching and life-changing years of my journey so far.
A Strong Start When I joined the program in 2023, I didn't know exactly what to expect. But from day one, DSGS gave me an environment that pushed me to think, not just memorize. The course was designed in a way that mixed core business concepts with real, practical learning. Every subject was taught with a clear purpose, not just to help us clear exams, but to prepare us for the real challenges of the professional world.
Teachers Who Became Mentors If I had to pick the one thing that made my time at DSGS truly special, it would be the faculty. They weren't just teachers to me, they became mentors and guides who genuinely wanted to see me grow.
I want to specially thank a few professors who left a lasting impact on me:
Prof. Somesh Banerji made operations and strategy so much easier for me to understand. He always connected theory with real business examples, and that helped me think more clearly and act with a plan.
Prof. Zubin Sethna opened my mind to a more global way of thinking. He pushed us to look beyond the textbook to think about customers, new ideas, and how technology is changing business every single day.
Prof. Aijaz Jafri had a very disciplined, step-by-step way of teaching. His lessons on smart processes and supply chain management gave me practical knowledge that I still use in my job today.
Prof. Kusum Pawar created such a warm and supportive classroom. She made sure I understood the basics properly, especially numbers and decision-making, before we moved on to anything harder.
I'm also deeply grateful to every other faculty member at DSGS. Through lectures, workshops, and mentorship, each one of them played a part in shaping who I am today.
Learning Beyond the Books: DSGS didn't stop at just classroom teaching. We got to work on live industry projects, business simulations, and guest lectures from professionals. This is what really helped me connect what I was learning in class to what actually happens in the business world from making decisions using data to solving real operational problems.
Growing as a Person, Not Just a Student My time at DSGS was about more than just academics. I took part in student activities, inter-college competitions, and team projects that helped me build leadership skills and learn to work well with others. The faculty and staff were always approachable, and their support gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone and grow.
Looking Back with Gratitude As I look back at my two years at DSGS, I feel proud and thankful for everything I gained not just knowledge for my career, but values that helped me grow as a person too.
I am proud to be an alumnus of DSGS, and I will always carry the learnings and memories of this journey with me into the next chapter of my life.
About the author:
Manavkumar Bharat Panchal completed his PGDM in Operations from Durgadevi Saraf Global Business School (DSGS) in 2025. He currently works as a Senior Executive in Freight Forwarding at Babaji Shivram Clearing & Carriers Pvt. Ltd.