Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu had the distinct honour of hosting Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog , for a keynote address on the eve of SMF 2025, marking a significant moment in the Institute’s journey of academic excellence and national engagement.
Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog was received by Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, and was taken to the Reception Area, where he viewed the Basohli Painting Exhibition, reflecting Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage. He planted a Rudraksh sapling in the courtyard as a symbol of sustainability and long-term institutional growth, followed by a comprehensive tour of the campus, including the Nalanda Library and state-of-the-art Smart Classrooms. A memorable moment from the visit was Dr. Vinod K. Paul clicking a selfie at the Basohli Painting Exhibition, celebrating the Institute’s cultural showcase.
Describing the interaction as a privilege and a profound learning experience, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu highlighted hosting Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog ’s stature as an eminent physician, visionary policymaker, and exemplary leader par excellence with a distinguished association with AIIMS New Delhi. He emphasized IIM Jammu’s strategic collaborations with AIIMS Jammu and IIT Jammu, including the MBA in Healthcare Management, and noted the increasing interest from leading global institutions in these pioneering initiatives. Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu warmly welcomed Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Hon’ble Member, NITI Aayog and urged students, faculty, officers, and staff to draw inspiration from his transformative vision, leadership, and guidance.
In his keynote address, Dr. Vinod K. Paul noted that this was his first visit to IIM Jammu and commended the founding Director and founding faculty for building an institution rooted in national service and excellence. He described IIM Jammu as a crown in the jewel and underlined the decisive role of founding leadership in setting benchmarks, shaping institutional culture, and defining the long-term trajectory of excellence. He called upon faculty and students to push intellectual and innovative frontiers and to build enduring hotspots of opportunity.
Recalling his long association with Prof. B. S. Sahay, he referred to their collaboration during faculty recruitment at AIIMS Raipur and acknowledged Prof. B.S Sahay’s valuable contributions to NITI Aayog, particularly in his ongoing efforts to position AIIMS New Delhi among the world’s leading institutions. Drawing parallels with the evolution of IIM Jammu, he stressed that uncompromising standards are essential for sustained and accelerated institutional growth.
Elaborating on the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he emphasized that national development must be holistic, encompassing education, healthcare, social harmony, self-reliance, equity, and ethical governance. He highlighted the responsibility of educated and skilled citizens to translate national aspirations into tangible outcomes that enhance quality of life through innovation, digital transformation, and inclusive growth.
Focusing on healthcare, he outlined national priorities including strengthening primary healthcare, reducing preventable mortality, addressing non-communicable diseases, and leveraging technology-enabled systems, telemedicine, and resilient supply chains for early detection and prevention. He emphasized reducing out-of-pocket expenditure, expanding Ayushman Bharat, strengthening financial protection, and ensuring equitable access to quality diagnostics and secondary and tertiary care.
He highlighted India’s progress in health indicators and the aspiration to raise life expectancy to 85 years and beyond, with a strong emphasis on improving healthy life expectancy. He also underscored the expanding role of AYUSH, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biosecurity, and innovation-led manufacturing, calling for a strategic shift from volume to value and for global leadership in health and biosciences.
He further emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in healthcare and education and stressed the need for strong capabilities in professional health management, health economics, quality assurance, and effective governance. Addressing demographic transitions, he highlighted the emerging opportunities and challenges of an ageing population, advocating focused attention on elderly care, the silver economy, long-term care frameworks, insurance innovation, digital literacy, and community-based support systems.
He concluded by calling upon academic institutions, policymakers, innovators, and students to work collaboratively in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready India and expressed gratitude to Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu for the opportunity to engage with the IIM Jammu community.His insightful keynote address at the Mandapam Auditorium was met with a standing ovation from students, faculty, officers, and staff of IIM Jammu.
Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu, in his address, highlighted the Institute’s strong engagement in startup incubation, technology, and public–private partnerships (PPP+). He underscored the establishment of the CITAG Centre and noted IIM Jammu’s active collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, including deliberations on the YUVA Scheme at the campus. Emphasizing the Institute’s commitment to nation building, he stated that IIM Jammu looks forward to deeper collaborations and is keen to contribute meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu, also graced the occasion andand proposed the vote of thanks during the key note address. Day 2 of SMF 2025 at IIM Jammu featured a series of high-impact technical sessions focusing on contemporary and future-oriented themes critical to nation building and sustainable growth. The deliberations included Technical Session 4 on Ethical AI and Digital Transformation, Technical Session 5 on Sustainable Business Models, and Technical Session 6 on Holistic Strategic Decision-Making, offering deep insights into responsible innovation and leadership in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The discussions continued with Technical Session 7 on Sustainability, Environment, and Social Impact, Technical Session 8 on Entrepreneurship in a Changing World, and Technical Session 9 on Public Policy Partnership, Infrastructure, and Tourism, fostering meaningful dialogue on inclusive development, policy-driven growth, and emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems. Collectively, the sessions reinforced SMF 2025’s commitment to advancing strategic thinking, ethical governance, and sustainable development aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
A thought-provoking Panel Discussion on Decentralized Governance, with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir and its Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), was held as part of SMF 2025. The panel featured Shri Murthy, CPMG, J&K Circle; Prof. Sapna Rakesh, Director, GL Bajaj Institute of Management and Research; Prof. Vinod Durge, Professor of Practice, IIM Jammu; Prof. Nirja Matoo, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research; Prof. Sumi Jha, IIM Mumbai; and Prof. Arunaditya Sahay, Founder, SMF.
The discussion highlighted how institutions such as India Post have remained relevant through continuous reinvention, decentralization, and technology adoption, evolving from traditional postal services to delivering banking, digital, and citizen-centric services at the grassroots. The panel emphasized that strengthening local authorities, empowering decentralized structures, and leveraging technology are critical for effective governance, inclusive growth, and sustainable development in Jammu and Kashmir.
Day 2 of SMF 2025 concluded on a strong note, marked by insightful technical sessions and thought-provoking panel discussions that reinforced the Forum’s focus on ethical leadership, sustainable business models, decentralized governance, and inclusive development. The deliberations highlighted the critical role of academia, industry, policymakers, and innovators in addressing contemporary challenges and shaping future-ready institutions. The discussions reaffirmed IIM Jammu’s commitment to contributing meaningfully to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, fostering collaboration, innovation, and responsible leadership for national development.