23 February 2018 at 9:00 am
Personal and professional insights in India
“I find it hard to put the rich experience we are having into words.” Mohammed Shafil Hasnain is part of a group of Massey students currently learning about business and supply chains in India, under the PMSA scheme.
While New Zealand is well structured with standardised practices, I’ve always wanted to know how Supply Chain works in other countries.
After receiving my Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Management and Logistics through Massey University, I was one step closer to getting my question answered. Along with nine other supply chain fanatics, I was awarded a Prime Ministers Scholarship to study supply chain management in India – an adventure beyond my imagination.
It is hard to put it in words how diverse and rich our experience has been, both personally and professionally. Our journey has taken us to a meditation experience in Aliyar, epic scenery in Kerala, bright green estates in Bangalore, a sandalwood soap factory in Mysore and warehouses in Chennai.
"I will be sad to say goodbye to India, the friends I’ve made, the cherished memories and the experiences and knowledge I’m gaining here."
The trip has given us an insight into a range of industries such as fruit juice canning, tea production, textiles and clothing, warehouse distribution centres, the health sector and more. One of the companies that stood out for us was the ITC Company, which produces paper from recycled household wastage-collection.
Dr Rajkumar, an Indian supply chain lecturer and expert, gave us an in-depth explanation of the traditional supply chains in India which was very impressive. While in New Zealand we have technology, innovation and world-class safety and health standards, seeing the traditional system of supply chain in India, you can’t help but give enormous respect to the people working hard, carrying heavy loads with smiles on their faces. It’s truly jaw dropping to see them working that way, while we tend to complain about the slightest discomforts life throws at us.
As our journey continues I am starting to have mixed feelings! While I will be excited to be back with my family, I will be sad to say goodbye to India, the friends I’ve made, the cherished memories and the experiences and knowledge I’m gaining here.
