IIM Ahmedabad Celebrates 61st Convocation with 629 Graduates
Ahmedabad witnessed a momentous occasion as the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) held its 61st convocation on Saturday evening. A total of 629 students received their degrees, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys. The graduating cohort included 20 doctoral candidates, 408 from the Postgraduate Programme (PGP), 45 from the Food and Agribusiness Management Programme, and 156 from the PGPX, which is the one-year MBA programme.
Chandrika Tandon Delivers Inspirational Convocation Address
The ceremony was graced by Chandrika Krishnamurthy Tandon, an esteemed alumna from the 1975 batch, who served as the chief guest. Tandon, renowned as one of the first Indian woman partners at McKinsey & Company, has since carved a niche as a philanthropist and Grammy award-winning musician. In a remarkable gesture, she and her husband donated Rs 100 crore to IIM-A to establish a school dedicated to artificial intelligence applications, underscoring her commitment to advancing education and technology.
In her convocation address, Tandon emphasized the concept of "integrative intelligence," which she described as mastering four key elements: insight, intention, inner stillness, and impact. She elaborated, "Insight involves stepping out of your bubble to perceive more connections, consequences, people, and yourself. Intention is about executing with clarity and commitment. Inner stillness is where you quiet the mental chatter and harness resilience to lead with humanity. Impact requires deeply assessing your mark on the world daily, in every decision." She shared that mastering this framework has profoundly transformed her life.
Tandon recounted her personal journey from a girl in Tamil Nadu to collaborating with global leaders, urging graduates to define success on their own terms. "Think about your own definition of success. Don't let anybody else define it for you," she advised, inspiring the audience to pursue their unique paths with confidence and purpose.
Board Chairperson Pankaj Patel Encourages Entrepreneurial Spirit
Adding to the motivational tone, Pankaj Patel, chairperson of the Board of Governors at IIM-A, addressed the graduates with a call to embrace entrepreneurship. He stated, "Whether you launch your own venture or lead within an established organisation, carry an entrepreneurial spirit. Be resourceful. Be adaptable. Stop seeing constraints as obstacles." His words aimed to instill a mindset of innovation and resilience among the new alumni, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities ahead in their professional lives.
The convocation not only celebrated academic achievements but also highlighted the institute's ongoing contributions to management education and societal impact through initiatives like the AI-focused school funded by Tandon's donation.
