Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, under the visionary leadership of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, inaugurated a deeply meaningful and transformative cultural initiative titled ‘Bandhan – A Cultural Immersion with Local Family of Jammu’ at the Mandapam Auditorium, Jagti Campus on 26th July 2025.
This first-of-its-kind initiative marks a pioneering step in promoting emotional connection, social learning, and celebrating the vibrant Dogri heritage of the Jammu region. The Inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu along with other noted dignitaries.
Rooted in the heart of Jammu, the City of Temples, Bandhan is a first-of-its-kind cultural immersion initiative launched by IIM Jammu to promote social sensitization, community bonding, and celebration of Dogri culture and heritage.
This unique program offers students a transformative learning experience by bridging academic rigor with grassroots realities. To begin with, 412 first-year MBA students will participate, with students grouped in 4–5 and hosted by local families. More than 100 families have already shown interest, and 100 families joined the institute today for the formal launch, showcasing overwhelming community support for this powerful cultural movement.
The inauguration began with a traditional tilak, garlanding, and arti ceremony, expressing mutual respect and welcome, followed by a campus tour that introduced families to IIM Jammu’s academic facilities, including the Nalanda Library, modern classrooms, and the Vedanta MDP Centre.
Also present on the occasion were Lt. General Rakesh Sharma (Retd.), President, J & K Ex Services League; Sojanya Sharma, Former Civil Servant, Maj. Gen. Sunita Kapoor (Retd.), Executive Member, J & K Ex Services League; Padma Shri Dr. S.P. Verma; Padma Shri Dr. Jitender Udhampuri; Shri Praveen Pargal, President, Laghu Udyog Bharti, J & K; Shri Rakesh Wazir, Chairperson, PHD Chamber of Commerce (Jammu Region) and President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association in Katra ; Dr. Alka Sharma, Woman Activist; Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research; Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean (Academics); and Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran, CAO, IIM Jammu.
As part of Bandhan, students of IIM Jammu engage in a thoughtfully curated series of experiential activities that immerse them in the cultural and social fabric of the region.
The initiative begins with home visits, where students are warmly welcomed into local households, sharing authentic home-cooked meals and engaging in heartfelt conversations that reflect the warmth and hospitality of Dogra culture. Through story-sharing sessions, students and host families exchange personal journeys—stories of resilience, values, and aspirations—building powerful emotional bonds rooted in mutual respect.
Students also participate in a variety of cultural activities, immersing themselves in traditional rituals, folk music, crafts, and culinary practices, gaining hands-on exposure to the rich heritage of Jammu. These experiences are followed by reflective sessions, including group discussions, presentations, and written reflections, where students internalize and articulate the insights gained during their cultural immersion.
The impact of this initiative is both deep and far-reaching. It fosters empathy and cultural awareness, enabling students to understand the nuances of local traditions and socio-economic realities. Bandhan also strengthens the connection between IIM Jammu and the local community, reinforcing mutual goodwill and cooperation.
Most importantly, it contributes to the personal growth of students, nurturing humility, gratitude, and a broadened worldview—hallmarks of socially responsible and culturally grounded leadership.
The ceremony ended with a standing ovation for the dignitaries and the first of its kind unique Bandhan initiative, followed by the National Anthem. This was followed by a group photograph.
The master of the ceremony was Shri Ankush Varma, CIO, CEISD, IIM Jammu who extended a warm welcome to all the dignitaries and everyone present on the occasion.
Through Bandhan, IIM Jammu reaffirms its commitment to nurturing intellectually sound, culturally rooted, and emotionally grounded leaders. The initiative aligns strongly with the spirit of Viksit Bharat, as envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and stands as a model for how education can become a tool for human connection, cultural preservation, and mindful leadership