Mentorship Programme
Chair: Mr. Suksham Chauhan
Under the leadership of Mr. Suksham Chauhan, the Mentorship Committee has actively worked to provide meaningful exposure and guidance to current Cottonians through interactive sessions led by distinguished Old Cottonians. The Committee has spearheaded the Speaker Series, facilitating valuable mentoring opportunities for students and promoting engagement with accomplished alumni.
A structured mentorship program is being developed, supported by a white paper proposal, aimed at building a sustainable framework to connect students with a network of subject matter experts who can provide real-world insights and professional guidance.
Between May 2025 and October 2025, the Committee successfully organized four mentorship sessions, featuring eminent speakers such as Mr. Bawa Jain, Mr. Pranav Roach, Mr. Bittu Sahgal, and Mr. Mayank Anand, among others.
1st Mentorship Session
Speaker: Mr. Bawa Jain
President – The Centre for Responsible Leadership; Founding Secretary General – World Council of Religious Leaders
The OCA India Mentorship Program was inaugurated with an insightful virtual session led by Mr. Bawa Jain, a visionary global leader in peace and religious diplomacy. Introduced by Mr. Manav Singh and moderated by Mr. Suksham Chauhan, the session aimed to inspire young minds through real-life experiences and global perspectives.
Mr. Jain shared his journey from establishing the World Economic Forum’s Religious Initiative to working closely with world leaders and instituting the Gandhi King Award. He emphasized purpose-driven leadership, humility, critical thinking, and the importance of learning from diverse perspectives. Reflecting on his years at Bishop Cotton School, he spoke about the lifelong bonds of boarding school life and the pride of representing one’s alma mater.
Encouraging students to remain open-minded and humble, Mr. Jain’s stories of resilience and purpose left a lasting impression. The session concluded with his advice to treasure school experiences and continue engaging with the mentorship initiative.
2nd Mentorship Session
Speaker: Mr. Pranav Roach
President & CEO – Hughes Network Systems India Ltd.
Held on 12th August 2025, the second mentorship session featured Mr. Pranav Roach, who shared his remarkable journey from his formative years at Bishop Cotton School to leading one of the country’s premier technology enterprises.
Mr. Roach spoke about his transition from a legal advisor in multinational corporations to becoming one of the youngest CEOs within the Hughes organization, later assuming his current role as President.
He shared three key lessons with the students:
- Focus on the journey, not just the destination – embrace diverse experiences and prioritize learning.
- Continuously develop skills – invest in building capabilities that foster growth and adaptability.
- Build meaningful relationships – nurture connections and leverage them for personal and professional advancement.
His candid insights and engaging storytelling deeply resonated with students and alumni alike, making it an impactful and memorable session.
3rd Mentorship Session
Speaker: Mr. Mayank Anand (Lefroy, 1985–1997)
Mr. Mayank Anand, a second-generation Old Cottonian with deep family ties to Bishop Cotton School, shared his inspiring creative journey from Shimla to Mumbai and beyond. A graduate of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and Knox College, Illinois (USA), Mr. Anand’s professional path has spanned multiple disciplines including acting, writing, visual arts, fashion design, and interior architecture.
His design studio’s inclusion in the prestigious Architectural Digest (AD) List—recognizing the world’s leading architecture and design practices—underscored his multidisciplinary excellence.
In his session, Mr. Anand spoke about the value of curiosity, persistence, and integrating artistic passion into meaningful design. His story served as a testament to creativity, courage, and the power of lifelong learning, inspiring Cottonians to explore their full potential.
4th Mentorship Session
Speaker: Mr. Bittu Sahgal (Batch of 1963)
Founder – Sanctuary Asia
On 22nd September 2025, noted environmentalist Mr. Bittu Sahgal addressed BCS students virtually in a thought-provoking session moderated by Adhiraj Mustafi.
Mr. Sahgal urged students to balance technological advancement with traditional wisdom and to remain curious and proactive in addressing global environmental challenges. He inspired the establishment of a Nature Club at BCS, beginning with the documentation of all living species on campus.
Through engaging stories of art-led conservation, tiger protection, and Shimla’s water issues, he encouraged Cottonians to lead by example—writing to authorities, advocating for sustainable development, and championing environmental causes.
He concluded with a powerful message: today’s generation holds the vision and responsibility to lead with compassion and protect both people and the planet.
The Mentorship Committee’s efforts have successfully strengthened the bridge between Old Cottonians and current students, fostering a culture of continuous learning, leadership, and community engagement. The Committee remains committed to expanding this initiative into a formal, sustainable mentorship network in the coming years