Inspiring day 2 at IIM Jammu orientation programme: A journey through leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship

• Masterclass by Indian Ad Guru Prahlad Kakkar, Dr. Anurag Batra, Industry Leaders and J&K entrepreneurs inspire the new cohorts

JAMMU: Day 2 of the five-day Holistic Orientation Programme at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu unfolded with an exciting blend of motivation, creativity, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial insight. Designed to nurture leadership and practical wisdom among the incoming batches, the sessions brought together renowned professionals from diverse fields.

The day began with an energizing session titled Maximize Happiness and Mindfulness, conducted by renowned yoga guru Shri Sahil Mehra under the aegis of Anandam – The Center of Happiness. The session focused on cultivating inner peace and emotional well- being among students. Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Anandam and Media & Publication Division, along with Brigadier Neeraj Soni (Retd.), Co-Chairperson, welcomed participants and set the tone for the day’s engagements.

As part of its Holistic Orientation Programme, IIM Jammu conducted an insightful session on the 4-Tier Mentor-Mentee Program, led by Brig. Neeraj Soni, Co-Chairperson, Anandam. The session highlighted mentorship as a journey of shared learning, trust, and personal growth beyond academics. Emphasizing values like humility, self-awareness, and purpose, Brig. Soni encouraged students to embrace life’s ups and downs as vital to leadership development. The session set a reflective tone, laying the foundation for impactful mentor-mentee relationships at IIM Jammu.

Day 2 of IIM Jammu’s Holistic Orientation Programme featured an inspiring and thought-provoking session by Shri Prahlad Kakar Ji, renowned Indian ad guru, brand and marketing consultant, educator, philanthropist, and author. His presence infused the campus with energy, creativity, and unfiltered insights that left a lasting impression on the new cohorts.

The day began with a short film celebrating Shri Prahlad Kakar Ji’s remarkable journey, followed by a heartfelt introduction by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. A symbolic moment was marked as Prof. Sahay posed with Shri Kakar’s authored book Adman Madman in the presence of Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research, and Dr. Baljeet Singh, faculty, IIM Jammu.

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu also felicitated Shri Kakar Ji in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the creative and advertising industry.During the session, Shri Prahlad Kakar Ji’s emphasized the essence of storytelling in advertising, urging students to embrace risk, think unconventionally, and live creatively. He showcased some of his most iconic ad campaigns and engaged in an insightful Q&A session with the students.

The session concluded with a standing ovation, as students and faculty applauded the wisdom, wit, and inspiration shared by one of India’s most influential creative minds. It was a transformative experience that encouraged the new batch to not just build careers, but to shape stories, lead with purpose, and live with imagination.

As part of the Orientation Programme, IIM Jammu welcomed Mr. Abhay K Srivastava, Senior President – Operations, Mankind Pharma Ltd., for a thought-provoking session on Operational Excellence and Future Trends in Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. Drawing inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, he emphasized selfless leadership, clarity of purpose, and strategic thinking. Mr. Srivastava highlighted how value-driven operations, innovation, and emerging technologies like AI and blockchain are reshaping the pharma industry. Encouraging students to embrace exponential thinking, he positioned operations as a strategic driver of impact and integrity.

As part of the ongoing Orientation Programme, IIM Jammu hosted Mr. Shivaraman Iyer, Global CFO, GeBBS Healthcare Solutions, for an impactful session on “Life-Changing Skills that Matter for Future Leadership.” Drawing from his global leadership experience, Mr. Iyer emphasized that leadership is built on trust, storytelling, and authenticity. Citing examples like Airbnb, he highlighted how trust—not just ideas—fuels transformation and growth. Urging students to embrace diversity, own their journeys, and narrate them with conviction, he left the cohort with a resonating message: “In two years, you will write your own story—make it worth telling.”

As part of the ongoing Orientation Programme, IIM Jammu had the privilege of hosting Dr. Anurag Batra, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of BW Businessworld and Founder of Exchange4Media Group, for an inspiring keynote session. In a heartfelt and reflective address, Dr. Batra encouraged students to pursue their dreams with humility and resilience, drawing from his own journey as an entrepreneur and media leader. Emphasizing that success stems from purpose, perseverance, and authenticity, he reminded the cohort that true fulfillment lies not in fame or wealth, but in meaningful relationships, collaboration, and doing what one loves.

A key highlight of the day was a panel discussion on “Job Seeker to Job Creator: J&K Entrepreneurship Ecosystem”, featuring prominent entrepreneurs from the region—Shri Rajesh Jain, Shri Anil Suri, Shri Anil Gupta, Shri Aagam Jain, and Shri Hasit Singh Sachdeva. Moderated by Dr. Muqbil Burhan, Chairperson, Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Skill Development, IIM Jammu the session explored the evolving entrepreneurial landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting stories of resilience, innovation, and local enterprise.Thepanelists shared firsthand experiences of building businesses from modest beginnings to global reach, emphasizing the power of mindset, people-centric leadership, and the untapped potential in sectors like tourism, agriculture, and education. The session concluded with an inspiring message—to move from job seeking to job creation, shaping a self-reliant and dynamic future for the region.

The panelists emphasized the importance of self-reliance, persistence, risk-taking, and the need for collaboration between academia and industry. They shared personal stories of starting from scratch, navigating policy hurdles, and creating local impact through job creation and manufacturing excellence. Students found the session relatable and motivating, particularly in the context of regional development and the “Vocal for Local” mission.

The day concluded on a celebratory note with “Rang Tarang – A Festival of Theatre and Dance”, presented by the IPM 4th Batch under the direction of Padma Shri Balwant Thakur. The captivating performances reflected the cultural richness of Jammu and Kashmir and highlighted the creativity and team spirit of the students. The event was followed by a community dinner hosted by the institute. The Orientation Programme continues until 18th July 2025 with more inspiring sessions from eminent industry leaders, alumni, and government officials.