Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – 75th Independence Day Celebrations at IIMB

IIM Bangalore celebrates 75 years of Independence with ‘Desh Raag’, a classical music concert, dialogues on India’s Pioneering Past & Bright Future and more

IIM Bangalore announced several special programs and activities to mark ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ – 75 years of Independence.

The celebrations commenced on the 14th of August 2022 at 7.30 am with an Independence Run on campus with students, faculty, alumni, campus residents and staff. Participants had the option to choose from any of the three time slots for the run – 7:30 am to 8:30 am, 9:30 am to 10:30 am, and 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

At 6.30 pm on 14th August, IIMB hosted Desh Raag — a classical music concert by IIMB alumna and vocalist Manasi Prasad who is the Director of the Indian Music Experience Museum, and her group, at the IIMB auditorium. The concert features eminent musicians in a Carnatic-Hindustani jugalbandi, including Prakash Sontakke (Hindustani slide guitar), Dr. Jyotsna Srikanth (violin), Anoor Vinod Shyam (mridangam) and Adarsh Shenoy (tabla).

Desh Raag is a celebration of India’s rich and vibrant music traditions. Among the featured compositions was a rendition of Raag Mohan Kauns (a creation of Pt. Ravi Shankar in memory of Mahatma Gandhi), and Raga Desh, which unites the country.

On 15th August, a few special events took place at front of the Main Building of the campus, starting from 9.45 am, which included flag-hoisting and address by the IIMB Director, Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan; singing of the National Anthem; patriotic songs by the students; announcement of Awards for Outstanding Achievements in the fields of Social Service and Environment Protection (‘Act Beyond the Call of Duty’); music performance by the Staff Recreation Club; Nukkad Natak by students; dance performance by Taal – the dance club of IIMB, and more.

Discussions on the theme, ‘India: Pioneering Past and Bright Future’, were held at the auditorium, on 15th August. The talks were live streamed on the IIMB YouTube channel. 

A talk on, ‘Indian Knowledge Systems’ was delivered by Prof. B. Mahadevan of the Production and Operations Management area and lead author of the book, ‘Introduction to Indian Knowledge Systems: Concepts and Applications’, released earlier this year.

Prof. Gopal Naik, Jal Jeevan Mission Chair at Utility Development & Water Economics and faculty in the Economics and Social Sciences area, spoke on, ‘Developments in Indian Agriculture’. 

Prof. Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIM Bangalore, Ram Charan Chair Professor in Innovation & Leadership and faculty in the Strategy area, shared his thoughts on, ‘India’s Future Lies in Innovation’.

A discussion on, ‘India can Lead the World in Support for Persons with Disability’ was led by Shanti Raghavan, Founder, EnAble India. Every talk was followed by a Q&A session.

You can access the event video here: