A feature article on Aloka Niyogi by Ms. Smriti Jain, Reporter – Feature Specialist – Local Daily “Garhwal Post”, Dehradun, 2004.

In this technology era where attentions are strewn like leaves in the wind, Aloka Niyogi captivates. Genuineness, warmth and an ability to breed trust underscore her personal brand. While trying to hold attention she always brings her heart into the conversation.” Niyogi’s heartfelt encouragement creates courage, and with that, ideas grow.

Having immersed her life and studies in the idea of personal growth, this innovator infuses her communications with an authentic story that is both palpable and actionable.

A strategic thought leader and a do-er, Aloka Niyogi imparts a robust tale of her life experiences along with the generalized principles of how to set, execute & achieve higher goals. She has lived her principles at the individual level, acquiring deep domain expertise, and she thrills in finding ways to influence people’s behavior—through her unique approach—to dream big as things happen if one dares it.

In fact, one might say that Niyogi’s alignment with disruption began at birth, born in the city of Kolkata, India, —after her birth she was taken away to Khamaria, Jabalpur – a city in Madhya Pradesh, where her Father was then posted. But after 6 years her family had to go back to Kolkata with her kid Sis barely able to crawl. This shift gave her an opportunity to retrieve her ties with her mother tongue- Bengalee.  But after a stay of barely 5 years in Gun & Shell Factory Cossipore Officers Quarter, Kolkata, she had to once again shift base. Her father an Ordinance personnel, was now transferred to another Defense base – Ambajhari in Nagpur, India. After a stay of four years in Nagpur once again she was back to Kolkata.

Perhaps the most life-disrupting move occurred after college graduation (MSc.) when she and her husband moved to Mumbai, India, relocated in a year’s time to Dehradun. She wanted to pursue a Ph.D right away, but due to lack of proper resources in this sleepy Hill station once a British Hamlet, she was forced to begin her career as a high School Science Teacher. But after a stay of 6 odd years, due to her husband’s transferable job they were now posted in the city of Chennai, India.

Aloka Niyogi took the helm of her future, traversing the often-unbridgeable career divide between working in a School or the fast growing IT Industry in India. Once decision taken to achieve this feat, she studied business part time, working during the day while finding that extra time for her only daughter. She wanted to be a perfect Mom too.

She navigated through Software Companies as a Human Resource Manager; thenceforth her career took an upward swing. A few years in the Software Industry, she joined a Health and Nutrition Company with its headquarters in USA, wherein her career took a major leap. The Team Leader (Group Head) who recognized talent, along with her indefatigable hard work propelled her to this new career rung, with his continuous trainings instilling that sense of confidence and uplifting her morale all the way. Here she attended dynamic Trainings and ‘Leadership Summit’ in Kodak Theatre (Renamed now as “ Dolby Theatre”) in Los Angeles, USA ; and a few others in Glasgow, Scotland; London, UK and in Amsterdam, Holland.

This pivotal uptick in her dynamic career was punctuated when after 6 odd years, she had to once again reallocate due to another reassignment of her husband and she was back to Dehradun.

Niyogi was recognized as a business developer in the American based Health Company, and she earned honors, many a times as an award-winning Achiever of the month. A willingness to take a firm stand on a business strategy combined with sensitivity to momentum was crucial to her persuasive calls-to-action. Her standing as a Motivational Speaker and Business coach was breaking new grounds with each passing day.

Back in Dehradun, Aloka Niyogi’s career took a completely different twist. She was discerned by the former Governor of state- Sudarshan Agarwal who was chairing a Seminar where she was the MC (Master of Ceremonies). With a quick turn of events to her utter surprise and disbelief, she found a proposal to work in “Raj Bhawan”(Governor House) in the state of Uttarakhand, as a Personal Relations Officer-PRO, to the Governor. Stupefied, she plunged head long even without a Civil Service qualification such as an IAS. It was a challenge she readily accepted. “Raj Bhawan”, read like a dramatic thriller, spun with influential community-building initiatives featuring the elite of Dehradun and Delhi- politicians, business magnets, journalists, academicians, religious leaders and media icons, to name a few. During that time philanthropy was at its helm- thus it resulted in the launch of a public charitable trust named, “Arogya Wellbeing Trust”.

Alongside as a motivational Speaker her program “Kindle the Power within you”, emerged as a vehicle, to carry her voice with powerful distinctions, while daring people to be their best self, to act out the courage of their convictions.

By then the intrinsic energy of her Motivational talks had spurred frequent invitations to speak at corporations, universities, and to participate as guest speaker /panelist at renowned conferences and forums. Her reputation kept getting elevated through her clients and participants.

With high public speaking skills along with a towering EQ, she honed her influencing and motivational skills. Similarly, when speaking to corporate, university or organizational audiences, Niyogi’s thought-provoking reality checks and persuasive calls-to-action reverberate. With an engaging voice, she intuitively and scholarly cobbles together disparate ideas and facilitates conversations around ‘possibility’ by building a case for dreaming and disrupting. She facilitates small and large groups; she holds the attention of large audiences through her mission to help people—and companies/organizations – disrupt themselves and build a remarkable and surprising future.

A diversity of other early influences flexed her muscles, developing her sense of identity and play-to-win attitude. She was an elocutionist and a debater from her middle school days. She is a trained singer and during college days participated in various competitions. All India Radio broadcasted her talks on Scientific Topics. Directing Plays and ballets are part of her recreational activities.She is a nature lover and loves to travel. Niyogi says a trip to the hills is always an ecstatic experience , helping her in self renewal and self regeneration.

Niyogi’s strength is in picking winners; catalyzing others through her innovation and drive—whether an Educational Institutes, Multi-national companies ( MNC), Private sector under-takings ( PSU), Government organizations, Start-up companies or just individuals.—she sees and perpetuates the magnificence in others.

Her leadership strength is only overshadowed by her quiet humility in that role. She speaks her truth clearly and gently, and lets things fall where they may.

 

 

Kindle the power within you !   Find the Gold mine within !