IIM Jammu observes Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 with an insightful awareness session on “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility”

JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu, in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu, observed Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 by organizing an awareness session on the theme “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility” at the Mandapam Auditorium, Jagti Campus, on 28th October 2025. The initiative is part of the nationwide campaign led by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), observed every year during the week that includes the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on 31st October. This year, Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed from 27th October to 2nd November 2025 with the objective of promoting transparency, integrity, and accountability in public life.

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu graced the occasion. The occasion was also graced by Shri K. P. Yadav, Principal Accountant General (Audit), Jammu and Kashmir; Shri Surinder Sharma, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu; Shri Rohit Gupta, Chief Prosecuting Officer, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu and Shri Kamal Sangra, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu; officials from ACB Jammu; Accountant General (Audit)  along with faculty, staff and students from IIM Jammu.

Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, thanked all the key officials from ACB Jammu; Accountant General (Audit) for their insightful, knowledge-rich sessions and meaningful engagement that significantly enriched the learning experience of the students, faculty, and staff of IIM Jammu. Referring to the message of Shri Narendra Modi Ji, The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, he said that public service is a responsibility rooted in sincerity and and must be pursued with unwavering seva bhaav, honesty, and dedication.

He emphasized that vigilance is essential in every institution and organization and must reflect in systems and processes such as recruitment, procurement, and decision-making. He reiterated that IIM Jammu follows a transparent and accountable framework in all its operations, which has consistently built institutional trust and credibility over the years. He added that corruption begins at the individual level and must be firmly rejected in any form at all levels. Highlighting the role of technology, he stated that digital systems and artificial intelligence can significantly enhance transparency and strengthen governance. He emphasized that values such as integrity and honesty form the foundation of a progressive and prosperous nation and urged everyone to uphold ethical conduct and contribute to building a corruption-free India.

Shri K. P. Yadav, Principal Accountant General (Audit), Jammu and Kashmir emphasized that corruption is a deviant behavior that weakens society and hampers national growth. He stated that vigilance must become a way of life rooted in integrity, transparency, and accountability. Sharing practical examples from daily life, he highlighted that ethical conduct begins with self-discipline and adherence to rules and regulations. He remarked that in public service, every action is subject to scrutiny, and one must act responsibly at all times. Explaining the importance of audits in governance, he stated that the purpose of audits is not to find faults but to improve functioning, ensure compliance with rules, and strengthen financial integrity. He reiterated that preventing corruption is a collective responsibility and urged everyone to contribute towards building a transparent and corruption-free society.

Shri Surinder Sharma, SSP, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu, lauded IIM Jammu’s Bandhan initiative, describing it as a pioneering and first-of-its-kind effort in India to foster cultural understanding and social bonding. He commended the visionary leadership of Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, for introducing such a meaningful initiative and remarked that the students participating in Bandhan are emerging as true ambassadors of cultural harmony and integrity for the nation. He stated that Vigilance Awareness Week, observed on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, reinforces the theme that vigilance is a shared responsibility. He emphasized that

the fight against corruption is not limited to agencies like the CVC, CBI, or ACB but requires collective participation from every citizen. Encouraging students, faculty and staff to report unethical practices without fear, he highlighted evolving mechanisms to curb corruption and promote accountability. He urged them to uphold honesty in their professional careers and contribute to nation-building, stating that integrity brings dignity and drives progress.

An Integrity Pledge Ceremony was administered to the participants, coordinated by Shri Rohit Gupta, Chief Prosecuting Officer, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu. A documentary on vigilance was screened, followed by his presentation on “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility,” which focused on preventive vigilance, system improvements, and citizen participation in building a corruption-free society. He emphasized that vigilance is a collective duty, and every citizen must act responsibly by following rules and promoting transparency in daily life.

Citing examples such as adhering to traffic norms and obtaining a driving license through due process, he stressed that integrity begins with individual behavior. He highlighted the need for transparency in recruitment, timely public service delivery, and accountability at all levels of governance. He also outlined the role of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir, as the key agency combating corruption by issuing advisories to government departments, monitoring implementation of schemes, simplifying procedures to reduce delays, and conducting awareness programmes through workshops and webinars in collaboration with Departmental Vigilance Officers (DVOs). He urged collective commitment from everyone to uphold ethics, honesty, and integrity to build a corruption-free New India.

In his address, Shri Kamal Sangra, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu, explained the concept of disproportionate assets and how illicit wealth accumulated by public servants is assessed. Using a clear illustration, he highlighted that visible corruption is only the tip of the iceberg, while a much larger network operates beneath the surface. He stressed that corruption can be identified by tracking unaccounted money whether used to create assets, spent lavishly, or routed through donations. He also presented a case study of an official of J&K Project Construction Corporation who amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. Emphasizing public participation in vigilance, he noted that any alert citizen can become a source of information in the fight against corruption. He concluded with an overview of methods used to calculate disproportionate assets and detect financial irregularities. This was followed by Q & A.

Also present on the occasion were Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty and Research; Shri Shailesh K Lohiya, Librarian and Chief Vigilance Officer, IIM Jammu, and Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran (R), CAO, IIM Jammu. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp followed by a welcome address by Mr. Shailesh K Lohiya, Librarian & Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), IIM Jammu, who highlighted the significance of vigilance in institutional governance and ethical conduct.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran (R), Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), IIM Jammu. He expressed gratitude to the speakers for their insightful deliberations and thanked the faculty, staff, and students and ll the officials from ACB Jammu; Accountant General (Audit) for their active participation, making the session meaningful and engaging.

Mementoes and shawls were exchanged between IIM Jammu and the visiting officials from ACB Jammu; and Accountant General (Audit) as a gesture of respect and mutual appreciation. The programme was coordinated by CVO and CAO office, IIM Jammu, reaffirming the institute’s dedication to promoting ethical behaviour and good governance across all levels of academic and administrative functioning.