Center for Management Studies, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Bangalore, in collaboration with Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC), organized a two-day international virtual conference titled ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India): Building Global Competitiveness Through Innovation, Integrity, and Inclusion’, on June 25, 2021, and June 26, 2021. The conference explored various international and socio-political aspects and challenges of Atmanirbhar Bharat during the current period of distress due to Covid-19. It encouraged discussion and fact-finding on its prospective impact with regards to the Indian economy, in addition to deliberating over the structural changes required. The conference also provided opportunities for researchers and academicians to exchange views and opinions on policy-relevant issues and generate academic research output on critical social problems.
The first day of the conference included two masterclasses by imminent speakers like Professor U. Dinesh Kumar from IIM, Bangalore, and Mr. Amrit Lal Bhardwaja from Cardiff University, UK. The former spoke on ‘Ethical AI’, and the latter chose the topic ‘The Need for a Robust Auditing Regime’ for his speech. Both the gentlemen shared their valuable knowledge and made the sessions highly informative and thought-provoking.
The second day of the conference commenced with the welcome address by Dr. Dinesh Nilkant, Director, CMS, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), followed by the opening speech from Dr. Raj Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). The keynote speakers included Dr. Chenraj Roychand, Chancellor, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Mr. Prakash Balawadi, a renowned actor and filmmaker, and TR Parasuraman, President of BCIC. The conference hosted two panel discussions on the second day. The first panel discussion was administrative and titled ‘Reforming Policies for Ease of Doing Business – Road Ahead’. It had BCIC officers as panelists and included renowned names like T. R. Parasuraman – President - BCIC and President and Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Industries Engines Pvt. Ltd., A. N. Chandramouli, Chairman - Industry 4.0 Expert Committee and Ex-President - BCIC, Dr. S. Devarajan, Mentor – Manufacturing Expert Committee, BCIC, and Senior Vice President -Production Engineering, TVS Motor Company, Indushekar B. R. - Chairman, MSME Council, BCIC and Head - Strategy, Development, and Operations Volvo Group India, Prakash G. - Chairman – Manufacturing Expert Committee, BCIC, and Vice President - Technical - Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts, Mr. A V Srinivasan - CEO, Meiban Engineering Technologies and Co-Chairman, Ease of Doing Business (S2S) Expert Committee, BCIC, and Mr. A Murali - Vice President, Toyota Tsusho India Private Limited. The second panel discussion was by social entrepreneurs and titled, ‘Self-Sustaining Young India – Opportunities and Challenges.’ The panelists included Mr. Narendra K. Pasupathy - CEO, Nandu’s Chicken, Viiveck Verma - Executive Leader, Business Strategist, Entrepreneurial Thinker, Coach and Startup Enthusiast, Yogesh Suresh Shinde - Founder, Bamboo India, Mahesha Mahadevappa – Founder of Desiri Naturals, and Nelson Deb - President of Bodhana and Founder of Eco Hub. Papers at the conference were presented under five main domains; HR, Marketing, IT, Finance and Economics, and General Management. Out of 250 abstracts received, a total of 100 were selected for presentation. Overall the event was a success and witnessed many students, teachers, corporates, and industry experts participate.