- Road to Copenhagen- IIM Lucknow’s message to fight climate change
- Governor Graces KIIT, Bhubaneswar Convocation Ceremony
- Manohar Parrikar, Honorable Leader of opposition, Goa on ‘Leadership, Good government and Management’ at Great Lakes Institute of Management
- Lakshmi Bal Mahotsava celebrated at IFMR Chennai
Road to Copenhagen- IIM Lucknow’s message to fight climate change
Interest Group in Food and Agri Business (IGFAB) at IIM Lucknow in association with Greenpeace organised an event on December 7, 2009 to spread the message of ‘fight climate change’ in light of the United Nations Copenhagen Summit to be held from December 7 to 18. The event was aimed at sending the message of IIM Lucknow community to join hands to fight climate change.
Never in the 17 years of climate change negotiations, have so many different nations made so many firm pledges together. Almost every day countries announce new targets or plans of action to cut emissions n recent weeks, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa and many other countries have announced commitments to reduce emissions, raising hopes of success in Copenhagen. The closing stages of the UN conference will be attended by 105 world leaders who will try to seal a deal after years of bitter debates over how to divide up the burden of emissions curbs and who should pay. Along with the world leaders thousands of activists belonging to different organizations are also moving to Copenhagen to express their concerns and views in this regard, Greenpeace being a pioneer among them.
IGFAB, which functions with the core themes of ‘Food, Environment and Agriculture’ has always took the lead in issues related to them, ‘Road to Copenhagen’ being the latest in the list. The event consisted of a poster designing and message framing competition on the subject of climate change. The competition was open for the entire IIML community including the faculty, students and staff. There was an overwhelming response showing that as responsible citizens of the country, we also were feeling the strong urge to spread the message of fight climate change. The screening of a documentary prepared by Greenpeace on ‘the effects of global warming on river Ganga’ was also conducted on the occasion.
The winners of the event were decided based on the performance in the two rounds of the competition and they were given certificates by Greenpeace. But beyond that, selected messages will be send to the Prime Minister via Greenpeace as IIM Lucknow’s message so that our voice will be heard at a world forum. The event served as a means to reinstate a sense of moral responsibility in the minds of the participants to be aware of the consequences of climate change, to respond to the causes that lead to this deadly issue and to fight back to ensure that they are not repeated.
Governor Graces KIIT, Bhubaneswar Convocation Ceremony
Total 1,557 graduates of 2009 batch of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubhaneshwar received degrees and diplomas at Fifth Annual Convocation of the university on December 6, 2009. Shri M. C. Bhandare, His Excellency the Governor of Orissa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr Hari Gautam, Chancellor, KIIT University presided over the ceremony.
Speaking to the graduating students, Bhandare, Chief Guest of the ceremony, reminded them of their responsibilities towards their parents and society at large. KIIT uniquely synergizes professional knowledge with social values, he said, while referring to Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) as the institution’s human face and an expression of its social commitment. He advised the graduates to emulate the values of their alma mater and its Founder, Dr A Samanta.
In addition to awarding degrees and medals to successful graduates of 2009 batch, Honorary Degree of Doctorate was also conferred on four eminent personalities from different parts of the country. Recipients of Honorary Degree of D.Litt are Padma Vibhusan Smt Mahasveta Devi, Padma Bhusan Shri Ramakanta Rath and Padma Shri Prof Sukhadeo Thorat. Smt Mahasveta Devi, Jnanpith awardee, and Shri Ramakanta Rath were honoured for their contribution to Bengali and Oriya literature respectively. Prof Sukhadeo Thorat, Chairman, UGC was honoured for his contribution in the field of higher education in the country. Honorary Degree of Ph.D. was conferred on Jockin Arputham who is a well-known slum activist from Mumbai.
Delivering the presidential address, Dr Hari Gautam urged graduates to utilize their knowledge and strength to uplift the socially-challenged, adding that this is the best way to pay back to their alma mater and Motherland. He expressed confidence that they will bring glory to themselves, the university and the country by their contributions.
KIIT University has stepped up its institutional and industrial partnership programme, informed Prof S. C. De Sarkar in his Vice Chancellor’s Report, adding that MoUs have been signed with as many as twelve international universities. Two new schools – School of Fashion Technology and School of Film and Media Sciences have been started in the current academic year, he informed. Among others Dr. K. Balaveera Reddy, Pro Chancellor, Dr. A. K. Jha, Pro Vice Chancellor (Administration) and Registrar also spoke on the occasion.
T.Das (B.Tech), S.Sarkar (M.Tech), B.Khuntia (MCA), A.Dasgupta (MBA), S.K.Mahali (MBA), A.K.Sahoo (MBA) (Executive) received Gold Medal for Securing Highest Academic Score in respective disciplines. S.Rout (M.Sc) (Biotechnology), S.R.Jagadale (MBA in Rural Management) got Founder’s Gold Medal, S.Swain (MBA) got P.K.Bal Memorial Gold Medal for Best All-rounder, S.K.Mahali (MBA) got PPL Gold Medal for Best Student in MBA with Marketing Specialization, where as S.Arya (MBA in Rural Management) received Aries Agro Gold Medal for Best Student in Agro business Specialization. Amongst others, seven students got Vice Chancellor’s Silver Medal for Securing Branch-wise Highest Academic Score in B.Tech and three students got Vice ChancellorAaas Silver Medal for Securing Branch-wise Highest Academic Score in M.Tech.
Manohar Parrikar, Honorable Leader of opposition, Goa on ‘Leadership, Good government and Management’ at Great Lakes Institute of Management
Great Lakes Institute of Management hosted Manohar Parrikar, Leader of opposition, Goa on December 5, 2009. Great Lakes Executive Director Prof. Sriram opened the session with a warm welcome to the guests. He remarked that the decision to enter politics for any individual shrinks in relevance and the individual belittles politics, for the image that the field has gathered over the years is anything but pretty.
Parrikar’s speech began on a note of humour, oscillating through the trenches of bureaucratic imagery and political despondence before finally resting on the firm shoulders of his talk on leadership. “I told my ministers, Finance and Education sectors would rest with me. Formerly everyone clamoured for them, agreed after thorough examination of pros and cons but later no one cared”, reminisced the speaker of his first day in office as CM. Responding to a question from the audience, he asserted that Education precedes population in the list of priorities for the progress of our nation. Education rips past every other parameter and sits right on top, such was the firm contention of the speaker. In referring to Bureaucrats, he claimed that Bureaucracy is the “water in that glass” pointing to the glass before him, he continued “water takes the colour and taste of the politicians”.
He observed that a leader is one who is “literate, educated and wise”. Through the gripping tale of a herdsman and a consultant, he mimicked the ostentatious outpour of extravagance which could have been avoided. Later, he narrated a few anecdotes, and through them demonstrated to the audience the power of ‘leadership with focus’. In response to another inquisitive student from Great Lakes Institute of Management, Parrikar noted that bureaucrats have to be made accountable and this act he concluded would lead to the progress of nation.
Lakshmi Bal Mahotsava celebrated at IFMR Chennai
Institute for Financial Management and Research, (IFMR), Chennai celebrated the second edition of Lakshmi Bal Mahotsava (LBM) on Sunday, 29th November 2009. Lakshmi Bal Mahotsava was launched an year ago in memory of Lakshmi Iyer Appu, a beloved student of IFMR’s Batch of 2010. The event is organized by Samarthan, the social service club of IFMR and aims at providing a day of fun and learning for underprivileged kids. This year, the event saw participation from 171 children representing four different NGO’s Exnora, Sevalaya, SRS Sarvodaya Girls Hostel and Nesakaram (Seeds).
The little guests at IFMR had a blast as they indulged in activities like painting, balloon blasting and quizzing. They also played unusual games like coin trajectory, maths relay race, potato hunt and hoopla among others. They won instant prizes in the form of toys and chocolates in these games. Then there was the Merry-Go-Round and a Juice stall for their refreshment.
The afternoon session saw a puppet show, a pot making contest and ended with a sizzling dance performances by the kids on Hindi and Tamil songs. It was pleasing to see all the kids intermingle with students, volunteers, guests and kids from other NGO’s. The kids spread their contagious enthusiasm and delight throughout the campus and eventually one could see smiling faces all around!
Samarthan would like to thank its friends and partners- Business Standard, Radio One, makemytrip.com, WPC, Adayar Ananda Bhavan, Arun Ice-creams, IFMR trust, IFMR Research centers for their unconditional support, which made the event a grand success.