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From Aerospace Engineering to Entrepreneurial Resilience:
The Remarkable Story of Arjun Sen (IITKGP '86, Patel Hall)

"Dad, are you dying?" This question from his young daughter became the turning point in the life of Arjun Sen, an IIT Kharagpur alumnus (B.Tech, Aerospace Engineering, 1986; Patel Hall), transforming him from a successful executive facing a terminal cancer diagnosis into a beacon of inspiration and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Arjun Sen's formative years were spent at IIT Kharagpur, where he graduated in 1986 with a B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering. A proud resident of Patel Hall, Arjun also served as Vice President of the Technology Students’ Gymkhana, showcasing his early leadership on campus. Post-IIT, Arjun pursued an MBA from Brigham Young University (BYU), USA, laying the foundation for a successful international marketing career.

In his early 30s, while enjoying a successful corporate trajectory in the U.S., Arjun was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and was given only 100 days to live. The emotional turning point came when his daughter asked him, “Will you be there at my wedding?”  This heartfelt moment became the ignition for a personal revolution. Arjun committed himself to recovery—mentally, emotionally, and physically—facing cancer head-on and ultimately overcoming it.

So powerful was his story that it caught the attention of renowned director Shoojit Sircar, who adapted it into the upcoming film I Want to Talk, starring Abhishek Bachchan. The movie dramatizes Arjun’s confrontation with mortality, his bond with his daughter, and his road to resilience.

Following his recovery, Arjun founded ZenMango, a marketing strategy firm focused on creating emotionally connected brands. As the author of Customer Karma, Arjun helps businesses realign around values, purpose, and customer-centric storytelling. His work has been featured globally, influencing executives and organizations to rethink success through the lens of meaning and emotional intelligence. Along the same lines, in Arjun's recent book "Unquit Forever: Keep yourself in the game" he speaks about never giving up regardless of challenges one faces. 

Arjun is also the host of the popular podcast, Secrets to Win Big, where he explores personal and professional victories with guests from around the world. In a recent episode, he sat down with fellow IITKGP alumnus and IITKGPF board member, Arjun Malhotra, for a candid discussion on innovation, mentorship, and navigating life's defining moments (watch episode). 

Arjun Sen’s story is not just about surviving cancer. It's about rediscovering one’s identity, living with intention, and building a life of lasting impact. His journey from IITKGP to BYU, from executive suites to hospital beds, and finally to the entrepreneurial stage is proof that setbacks can serve as setups for extraordinary comebacks. As Arjun told us: “Life is about Unquit. We just have to stay in the game and give ourselves a chance. My 26.2 mile marathon took 65,500 steps, but my journey was about taking just one step 65,500 times! All I had to do in my marathon and life was not quit taking one step.”

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