IIM Jammu launches BANDHAN 2.0, a first-of-its-kind cultural immersion initiative connecting students with Dogra families of Jammu

JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu launched BANDHAN 2.0-A Cultural Immersion Programme with Dogra Families of Jammu, under the aegis of Ānandam: The Centre for Happiness, IIM Jammu. A first-of-its-kind initiative by any Institution in the country, BANDHAN aims to promote social sensitization, community bonding, and the celebration of Dogri culture and heritage.

Envisioned as a meaningful bridge between academic learning and grassroots realities, the initiative seeks to connect the Institute's students with the local community through shared experiences, cultural exchange, and personal relationships, fostering a deeper sense of belonging, mutual respect, and appreciation of Jammu's rich cultural ethos. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu.

The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by Saraswati Vandana, invoking the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. A special highlight of the programme was the felicitation of all Dogra families who hosted students during BANDHAN 1.0. They were felicitated by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, along with other dignitaries present on the dais, in recognition of their warmth, hospitality, and wholehearted participation in fostering meaningful bonds between IIM Jammu students and the local community.

The programme marks a significant step in IIM Jammu's efforts to strengthen its engagement with the region and provide students with an opportunity to understand Jammu beyond its geographical identity, through its people, traditions, values, and way of life. In its first phase, IIM Jammu students will participate in the initiative, with students organized in groups of four to five and hosted by local Dogra families. More than 160 families have already expressed interest in becoming part of this unique initiative, with around 125 families joining the Institute for its formal launch, reflecting the overwhelming enthusiasm and warmth of the Dogra community.

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Dogra families for their contribution to the success of BANDHAN 1.0 and warmly welcomed the new families joining this year. He highlighted that BANDHAN goes beyond a conventional cultural programme, providing students from different States and union territories an opportunity to experience Jammu and Kashmir's rich cultural heritage, traditions, and the warmth of its people. Describing BANDHAN 2.0 as a celebration of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, aligned with the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, he emphasised its significance in fostering cultural understanding, national integration, and meaningful connections between the Institute and the local community.

"Positioning IIM Jammu as a Mini India with a global vision," he emphasized the importance of remaining deeply connected with the region's cultural roots while embracing diversity and national integration. He noted that shared meals, cultural interactions, and firsthand exposure to Dogra customs and family traditions help build genuine human connections, affection, mutual respect, and a lasting sense of belonging. He observed that the affection and generosity with which local families have welcomed students have helped make Jammu a second home for many of them.

He further underscored that the families' support represents not merely a contribution to IIM Jammu but an investment in Jammu's cultural identity and future.Expressing hope that the bonds created through BANDHAN would endure well beyond students' time at the Institute, he noted that they would carry their academic degrees along with the values of empathy, humility, and compassion, as well as cherished memories of Jammu and its people, wherever they go. He observed that whenever they speak about BANDHAN, they would also share the warmth and hospitality of the Dogra families, becoming ambassadors of Jammu's rich cultural heritage. He concluded that the true success of BANDHAN would be reflected in the enduring relationships it builds, the positive difference it makes to society, and the place it secures for Jammu as a cherished second home in the hearts of IIM Jammu students, long after they graduate.

The inaugural proceedings began with a traditional welcome ceremony involving tilak, garlanding, and aarti, symbolizing warmth, respect, and the spirit of Dogra hospitality. This was followed by a guided campus visit, introducing the participating families to the academic and institutional facilities of IIM Jammu, including the Nalanda Library, modern classrooms, and the Vedanta-The Executive Education and Consultancy, IIM Jammu. A video presentation of Bandhan 1.0 made by students of IIM Jammu offered a glimpse into the journey and experiencesof the first edition of BANDHAN.

The central element of the initiative is the opportunity for students to step beyond the classroom and spend meaningful time with their respective host families. Through planned home visits, shared traditional meals, conversations, and participation in family and cultural activities, students will gain first-hand exposure to the essence of Dogriyat-a cultural ethos characterized by dignity, warmth, grace, and hospitality.

The interactions will offer students an opportunity to learn about local customs, traditional rituals, folk music, crafts, culinary practices, family values, and the lived experiences of the people of Jammu. Equally, the initiative provides Dogra families an opportunity to share their heritage, stories, aspirations, and traditions with young people from diverse backgrounds.

The cultural immersion will be complemented by reflective learning activities, including group discussions, presentations, and written reflections, enabling students to articulate their experiences and insights. By engaging directly with the community, students will gain a better understanding of local traditions and socio-economic realities while developing empathy, cultural awareness, humility, gratitude, and a broader worldview. These experiences are expected to contribute to their development as socially responsible management professionals and culturally grounded future leaders.

The inaugural ceremony was also graced by distinguished personalities from Jammu, including Padma Shri S. P. Varma, Major General Govardhan Singh Jamwal, Lieutenant General R. S. Reen, Lieutenant General Rakesh Sharma, Shri Amit Sharma, IAS, Dr. Sudharshan Sharma, Dr. Shakti Gupta, Dr. Alka Sharma, Shri Vijay Saraf, Shri Vijay Sharma, Shri Praveen Pargal, Shri Dinesh Manhotra, Shri K. K. Gandhi. Their presence and engagement added to the significance of the occasion and reinforced the importance of collective community participation in sustaining the initiative.

The programme also provided an opportunity to reflect on the experiences and learnings of BANDHAN 1.0 and discuss the way forward. Families associated with the first edition were felicitated in recognition of their contribution, warmth, and commitment towards nurturing this distinctive relationship between the local community and the Institute's students.

Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, and Shri Ankush Varma, Administrative Officer-Placements, introduced the Institute and the BANDHAN initiative at IIM Jammu, respectively.Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Ānandam and Media and Publication Advisory Committee, IIM Jammu proposed the vote of thanks, acknowledging the Dogra families, distinguished guests, and the IIM Jammu fraternity for their support. The formal proceedings concluded with the National Song and National Anthem, followed by Preeti Bhoj, who celebrated the spirit of hospitality and togetherness and shared cultural values. Present during the occasion were Dr. Satvik Gupta, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Shri Ankush Varma and Shri Kannav Padha part of the core organizing team of Bandhan 2.0, IIM Jammu.

Through BANDHAN 2.0, IIM Jammu reaffirms its commitment to nurturing leaders who are intellectually grounded, socially sensitive, culturally aware, and emotionally connected. Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, the initiative demonstrates how education can transcend the boundaries of classrooms and campuses to become a platform for human connection, cultural preservation, and mindful leadership. By bringing IIM Jammu students and Dogra families together, BANDHAN seeks to create bonds that extend beyond the duration of a programme and remain an enduring part of the students' journey at IIM Jammu.