People

The Quest is run and managed by a team of professionals, advisors and consultants representing the travel, tourism, media, education, ITeS and agri-business industries.

Piyush Bahl (Late), Founder
The Late Piyush Bahl, was a dynamic visionary who believed that the two great nations of India and China, had much to learn from each other. He spent 20 years with India’s apex industry chamber, Confederation of Indian Industry and his last posting was in Shanghai, where he was responsible for operations in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Under his leadership, ICAC came to enjoy a special relationship with Shenyang Municipal People's Government, Shenyang Information Industry Bureau, Shenyang Education Bureau, Liaoning Province and Weifang Municipal People's Government, Weifang Science and Technology Bureau, Organising Committee of China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Sci-tech Fair, Department of Science and Technology, Shandong Province, amongst others. Formal MoUs were entered between institutions represented by ICAC and China sub-councils for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) across provinces. Linkages were established with Shanghai Overseas Talent Search Centre of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government and China National Tourist Office in New Delhi. Unfortunately, Mr. Bahl passed away in 2011 after a brief illness. But the work started by him is being pursued actively by his family, who wish to stay connected with him, through the work that meant so much to him.

Taru Bahl, Chief Operating Officer
Taru has over 20 years experience working in media and the development sector. She was Assistant Editor with the Statesman and National Editor with Mint. Presently, she consults with a number of UN agencies, including UNICEF, WHO and World Bank. She also writes on travel and development issues for leading newspapers, magazines and websites. She provides strategic guidance to shaping the company’s activities, developing client relationships in India and partner countries and ensuring that value added services are aligned to the needs and expectations of clients.

Rashmi Chugh, Advisor
Rashmi, with her rich experience across print and digital media in Indian and challenging global markets provides cutting-edge support to The Quest, especially in curating value propositions and unique elements for international programmes and partnerships. She was Head of Digital at the Nation Media Group PLC in Kenya and Business Head and Publisher at HT Media in Delhi.

Sadhana Bakshi, Director
Sadhana has over four decades of experience in teaching travel and tourism. She set up India’s first management course in Travel and Tourism at the All India Management Association. She was also Head of Department, Travel and Tourism at the Women’s Polytechnic in New Delhi. At The Quest, she provides valuable input in designing programmes, making inroads in new markets and customising value offerings for niche business partners.

Aparna Singh, Director Business Development and Client Relationships
Aparna has over two decades of experience in recruitments, human resource consulting, business development and people management. She has worked with leading corporate groups and has helped them set up cross-functional teams. With a short stint in China she understands Asian markets and brings that expertise to The Quest where she handles corporate programmes and is responsible for strengthening client relationships.

Zhao Hang, Director, China Operations
Zhao Hang graduated from Beijing International Studies University in Beijing, China, in 1995. He specialised in international trade, focusing on South Asia region. He has a strong India connect, graduating from Delhi University in 2001 in commerce. He has had corporate stints with TVS Electronics, one of India’s leading electronic products manufacturing companies followed by THTF, an established Chinese IT company, ZTE, a major telecom solution provider and Dayang Technology, a reputed broadcast solution provider in China. As The Quest’s China representative, he is a trusted resource who is constantly endeavouring to streamline programmes at the China end, while forging existing and new relationships in the country.

CP Sharma, Advisor, Legal Services
Chander holds a Bachelors in Law from Delhi University. He is a practising lawyer with the Supreme Court of India. He was a founder member of ICAC and has lent support for over a decade in areas related to development of strategic businesses. He continues to guide The Quest on legal and administrative matters, helping create a robust model that is now being taken to scale.

Manoj Gupta, Advisor, International Business
Manoj holds a B.Tech in Computers from Banaras Hindu University. He has over 25 years of experience working with leading software companies like Ericsson, Hewlett Packard and Wipro. His areas of interest include Project management, Information Technology, Quality Assurance and Software Development. He has a good understanding of business and international trade, especially given his stints on executing special projects in Europe. He is an avid trekker, adventure sports enthusiast and philanthropist. He helps strengthen University linkages for The Quest and identify new programme areas.

Rahul Joshi, Operations Manager
Rahul undertakes business development activities, identifying areas of mutual collaboration and interest. He works closely with Indian Universities, government departments and PSUs to match their interests with the multifarious offerings of The Quest. He provides key support to all the functions related to logistics, administration, planning and execution of programmes.