A morning of movement, meaningful connections and community impact

With 1,200 registrations, the annual campus run combined community participation with philanthropy, a civic clean-up initiative and a showcase of IIMB-connected ventures

The IIM Bangalore campus came alive on 2 October 2026 as Twaran, the Institute’s annual campus run, brought together alumni, students, faculty, staff and their families for a morning of fitness, fellowship and community engagement. With 1,200 registrations, this year’s edition saw participants take part in non-competitive 5 km and 10 km runs, making it one of the largest editions of the event.

Organised by the Alumni Office, with support from the Student Alumni Committee, Vikasana and Endure, IIMB’s student running club, Twaran 2026 saw enthusiastic participation from across the IIMB community. Students from the PGP and EPGP programmes, along with undergraduate students from IIMB’s Jigani campus, joined the run. The event also created opportunities for interaction across cohorts, with undergraduate students engaging with alumni on long-term career perspectives and with PGP-2 students on building hobby- and interest-based clubs on their new campus.

Running for a cause

Beyond the spirit of participation, Twaran continued its tradition of giving back. Proceeds from the alumni registration fee collection were donated to the Vonisha Service Foundation, which works with underprivileged and marginalised communities through programmes in education, health, sports, skill development and environmental sustainability.

Founded in 2017, Vonisha follows a cradle-to-career approach, supporting children through foundational learning, school education and career development, while also working towards livelihood opportunities and greater self-reliance for women and other underserved communities. Its initiatives include BridgeEd, which supports out-of-school children, and TailorMade, a vocational training programme for women. Its sports initiatives also seek to use athletics to build confidence, discipline and teamwork among marginalised children. The contribution from Twaran will support the Foundation’s work towards creating more inclusive opportunities for the communities it serves.

Taking civic responsibility beyond campus

The morning also carried a message of civic responsibility. Arun Pai (PGP 1993), Distinguished Alumnus Award 2026 recipient and civic activist, joined the Twaran run before leading a clean-up drive at a garbage spot on Bannerghatta Road, near the IIMB campus. The initiative was part of the Greater Bengaluru Authority’s Just Clean Bengaluru (JCB) campaign and was supported by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

He was joined by IIMB Director-in-charge Prof. U. Dinesh Kumar, Prof. Shainesh G from the Marketing area, and members of the IIMB community. Known for his work through citizen-led initiatives such as The Ugly Indian, Bangalore Walks and Project Walkaluru, Pai has long championed the idea that improving a city begins with taking responsibility for the spaces around us. His participation brought that message close to home, turning the spirit of community engagement into action on a public street.

Alumni entrepreneurship on display

Twaran also provided a platform for two IIMB-connected ventures to engage with participants. Poptopia, an NSRCEL-incubated start-up, showcased its range of hydration products, offering participants a glimpse of its convenient hydration solutions.

Pro Mojo, founded by IIMB alumnus Sarvpriya Dewan (PGSEM 2008) and Dr. Pooja Dewan, introduced participants to its range of naturally fermented foods and beverages. The venture focuses on gut-friendly products, including kombucha, kefir, kanji and fermented vegetables, prepared in small batches. Their presence at Twaran brought an entrepreneurial dimension to the event, highlighting ventures emerging from the IIMB ecosystem.

From the running track to a neighbourhood clean-up, from supporting community initiatives to showcasing alumni entrepreneurship, Twaran 2026 brought together several dimensions of the IIMB experience. It was a reminder that the strength of the IIMB community lies not only in the connections it builds on campus, but also in the contributions its members make beyond it.

The Alumni Office thanks all participants, volunteers, student groups, partners and supporters who helped make Twaran 2026 a memorable morning. The community looks forward to welcoming everyone back for the next edition.