Skip to main content

Why addressing Dalit, human rights, racism, combatting corruption 'makes MBA holistic'

Sandeep Pandey
By Rishabh Bansal* 
When you envision a typical MBA student, especially one hailing from a prestigious institution like the IIM, various thoughts arise – from accounting, economics to finance. Considerations encompass placement rates, lucrative compensation packages, and industry giants like Tatas, Big 4, MBBs, and other influential firms.
These thoughts are not entirely unfounded, for they mirror the aspirations that drive the youth of the nation to strive vigorously during their rigorous two-year tenure at the college. However, amidst this prevalent capitalist focus, one vital objective behind the establishment of these institutions often goes overlooked: the intent to foster a positive, enduring influence on society.
While the curriculum largely gears towards equipping future leaders with the tools to amass wealth through their expertise, it often neglects a critical aspect: the study of socialist movements and their role in shaping a more holistic-worldview.
This is where an elective course in the second year takes centre stage – "Transforming Social Movements" (TSM), led by Prof. Sandeep Pandey. Unlike any other course at the institute, TSM stands apart. It entails a series of 20 sessions meticulously designed to delve deeply into a wide spectrum of social movements across the globe, transcending geographical boundaries.
Topics encompass movements advocating for dalit rights, combatting corruption, upholding human rights, and addressing racism. Furthermore, the course takes an academic approach to dissecting the factors contributing to the success and emergence of such movements.
Yet, it is the nature of assignments that sets TSM apart. Departing from conventional submission of reports, these assignments necessitate tangible engagement with the real world and its people, aiming for genuine impact.
There are two components: a group project, in which each team chooses a pressing social issue and actively contributes to its advancement; and an individual project, requiring personal connections with individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds, to alleviate specific challenges.

Driving a social cause

For the group assignment, various endeavours were undertaken, ranging from fundraising for marginalized communities to hosting screenings of socially relevant films, followed by discussions with the producers. In my case, our group directed our efforts towards addressing manual scavenging and sanitation issues.
Visiting the Jogrimatanichali community near the Sabarmati riverfront exposed us to deplorable living conditions resulting from open defecation and a lack of proper sanitation facilities. Immersed in their struggles, we recognized the gravity of the issues beyond what we had read in newspapers. Our responsibility to intervene effectively became evident, given our position. We compiled a report and submitted it to the AMC, eagerly awaiting their response.

Making an individual impact

For the individual project, I chose to assist a daily-wage worker contracted by IIM-A to aid in procuring Ayushman Bharat cards. Establishing a personal rapport through activities like cricket and village visits offered a humbling experience.
I gained insight into his arduous daily commute of nearly two hours each way and learned about his family and his journey, starting at IIM-A at a mere age of 16/17. The culmination of our interactions was my delivery of the Ayushman cards, an action that elicited immense gratitude and had a profound impact on his life.
What struck me as truly remarkable was that despite my initial apprehensions, the experience was far from awkward. On the contrary, he greeted me with boundless enthusiasm, eagerly showing me around and extending his utmost hospitality. His warm gesture even included an invitation to spend the night, ensuring my comfort at every turn.
He took immense pride in displaying his living conditions, inviting me for future visits. His generosity extended to treating me to the region's renowned street food – the pav omelette. Through these interactions, I came to realize the lasting impact our connection had on him and his family. What might have seemed effortless on my part held immense significance to him, underscoring the profound value of our interaction.
Numerous instances akin to this abound, showcasing students' commitment to helping raise fees for economically weaker section students and sustaining projects beyond the course duration. Alumni maintain connections with the families they assisted, exemplified by a former participant supporting a woman in her pursuit of a B.Ed. degree, then further assisting her fundraising for an M.Ed.

Learnings

Collectively, these anecdotes spotlight how TSM has transformed hundreds of lives, empowering them to forge a better path. The palpable and lasting effects underscore the necessity of management education evolving beyond the confines of capitalism, imparting to students the potency of effecting change using the ample resources at their disposal.
As a participant in the course, I strongly advocate for the integration of similar programs across educational institutions. These courses provide students with the unique chance to tangibly engage with social issues, fostering a profound sense of empathy. Such experiences are pivotal in moulding future leaders who possess a holistic understanding of societal challenges, ultimately contributing to their growth into more compassionate and effective leaders.
---
*Student at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad

Comments

TRENDING

Avoidable Narmada floods: Modi birthday fete caused long wait for release of dam waters

Counterview Desk  Top advocacy group, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), has accused the Sardar Sarovar dam operators for once again acting in an "unaccountable" manner, bringing "avoidable floods in downstream Gujarat."  In a detailed analysis, SANDRP has said that the water level at the Golden Bridge in Bharuch approached the highest flood level on September 17, 2023, but these "could have been significantly lower and much less disastrous" both for the upstream and downstream areas of the dam, if the authorities had taken action earlier based on available actionable information.

Biden urged to warn Modi: US can declare India as worst religious freedom offender

By Our Representative  During a Congressional Briefing held on Capitol Hill, Washington DC, Nadine Maenza, former Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has wondered why the Biden administration should raise issues of mass anti-minority mob violence  -- particularly in Haryana and Manipur -- with Modi. Modi should be told that if such violence continues, the US will be “compelled by law” to designate India as one of the world’s worst offenders of religious freedom, she urged.

From 'Naatu-Naatu' to 'Nipah-Nipah': Dancing to the tune of western pipers?

By Dr Amitav Banerjee, MD*  Some critics have commented that the ecstatic response of most Indians to the Oscar for the racy Indian song, “Naatu-Naatu” from the film, “RRR” reeks of sheer racism, insulting visuals and a colonial hangover. It was perhaps these ingredients that impressed the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, one critic says.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah*   The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual. 

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Asset managers hold '2.8 times more equity' in fossil fuel cos than in green investments

By Deepanwita Gita Niyogi*  The world’s largest asset managers are far off track to meet the  2050 net zero commitments , a new study  released by InfluenceMap , a London-based think tank working on climate change and sustainability, says. Released on August 1, the Asset Managers and Climate Change 2023 report by FinanceMap, a work stream of InfluenceMap, finds that the world’s largest asset managers have not improved on their climate performance in the past two years.

Evading primary responsibility, ONGC decides to invest Rs 15,000 crore in sick subsidiary

By NS Venkataraman*  It is reported that Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will infuse about Rs 15,000 crore in ONGC Petro-additions Ltd (OPaL) as part of a financial restructuring exercise. ONGC currently holds 49.36 per cent stake in (OPaL), which operates a mega petrochemical plant at Dahej in Gujarat. GAIL (India) Ltd has 49.21 per cent interest and Gujarat State Petrochemical Corporation (GSPC) has the remaining 1.43 per cent.

Savarkar 'criminally betrayed' Netaji and his INA by siding with the British rulers

By Shamsul Islam* RSS-BJP rulers of India have been trying to show off as great fans of Netaji. But Indians must know what role ideological parents of today's RSS/BJP played against Netaji and Indian National Army (INA). The Hindu Mahasabha and RSS which always had prominent lawyers on their rolls made no attempt to defend the INA accused at Red Fort trials.

'State-sanctioned terror': Stop drone attack on Adivasis, urge over 80 world academics

Counterview Desk  A joint statement, “Indigenous Peoples’ Un-Freedoms and Our Academic Freedom: A Call for Solidarity”, endorsed by over 80 signatories, including international academics, activists and civil society organizations, as well as diasporic Indian academics and researchers, working with Adivasi (indigenous) communities in India, has made an urgent appeal to prevent future drone bomb attacks by the Indian state on Adivasi villages.

Sales, profits of Indian firms 'deteriorate', yet no significant increase in cost pressures

By Our Representative  The Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad's (IIM-A's) latest Business Inflation Expectations Survey (BIES), a monthly exercise, has said that while cost perceptions data does not indicate significant increase of cost pressures, sales and profits of the Indian firms have deteriorated.