Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar inaugurates block on IIMB’s new campus

“India’s economy is today the world’s fifth biggest. It has been made possible because of people like you also, and your innovative ideas. You are the talent who will shape India. The start-ups set up by youngsters like you have impacted our economy and has attracted investments from giants in the country. Money is not a constraint anymore. By thinking out-of-the-box, you can realize your full potential. You also have the stamp of IIMB, hence sky is the limit,” declared the Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankar, in his keynote address at IIM Bangalore. Shri Dhankar inaugurated the MDC Block of the second campus at Jigani at the IIM Bangalore campus on Bannerghatta Road in the presence of Karnataka Governor Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot.

Prof. Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director of IIM Bangalore, welcomed the dignitaries and stated, “Today, we are here to inaugurate the Management Development Centre building, in the new 110-acre IIM Bangalore second campus at Mahanthalingapura, Jigani (about 25 km south of our existing campus at Bannerghatta Road). This new MDC encompasses 84 rooms for stay and three classrooms (total capacity 160) and 10 discussion rooms, other than reading and dining areas. The MDC is beautifully designed to fit in with the hilly terrain at the site. The total cost of this project borne by the Institute is Rs. 55 crores, and this has been fully funded by our internally generated accruals, without taking any funds from the government. This project is especially important due to it being the first construction undertaken in the new campus. It will be our focus to make this campus sustainable.”

Shri Dhankar addressed the teachers, staff, and students of IIM Bangalore following the virtual inauguration. He described himself as a “product of education,” adding that education had altered his life. He counselled the pupils to minimise stress, be entrepreneurial, and not be afraid of failure. “Brilliant ideas need to be spoken about, and more importantly, implemented. Be proud Indians and uphold the fair name of our country’s governance, democratic polity and institutions, and the reputation of our country.”

He had a special word for alumni of academic institutions who, he said, help an institution blossom. “There should be a confederation of alumni associations which can then act as think tanks.” In this regard, he spoke highly of Rajit Punhani, Secretary, Rajya Sabha, who is an alumnus of IIMB, who he said has successfully led various flagship Government programs at the federal and state levels.

Calling the country’s youth the “warriors for 2047”, he said: “We are devising a strategy to invite students from institutes like yours to visit the Parliament and observe its proceedings and in the long run, serve the larger democracy.”

His address was followed by a question-and-answer session led by Prof. Rahul Dé, Dean of Programmes at IIMB. At this session, in response to one of the questions, the VP stated that the Rajya Sabha’s permanent existence lends the Upper House of Parliament importance in the current parliamentary discourse. “ The Rajya Sabha provides a spinal stability to our democratic polity,” he said.

Karnataka Governor Shri Thaawar Chand Gehlot congratulated IIMB for having made a significant contribution to the Indian economy from the time it was set up in 1973. “NSRCEL, the start-up hub at IIMB, has given boost to entrepreneurship in the country. IIMB’s digital initiatives such as the MOOCs, its courses on Business Analytics, Hospital Management, etc., its initiatives under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan in Karnataka, deserve a special mention. I also congratulate IIMB for the programs and activities it conducted to celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – 75 years of India’s Independence. With such positive steps in the right direction, when we celebrate 100 years of independence, the country will be on one of the top spots in every sphere,” he said.

Earlier in the session, in his welcome address, Dr. Devi Shetty, Chairperson, Board of Governors, IIM Bangalore, thanked the Government for its innovative New Education Policy, which, he said, would result in “a giant leap for the Indian economy by year 2047”. Highlighting the achievements of the Institute, he said, “We are constantly reinventing ourselves to stay relevant and contribute towards nation building. Our alumni are global leaders who are instrumental in transforming the world. We are on an exciting trajectory of growth and the second campus is an important step towards our commitment to stay relevant with the times. I welcome all the stakeholders to partner with the Institute on its journey towards excellence.”

Col (Retd) S.D. Aravendan, Chief Administrative Officer, IIMB, proposed the vote of thanks. IIMB students, faculty, alumni and staff attended the event.

Watch video of the MDC building here: https://youtu.be/XMWBcOQ96lw