JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu hosted a special guest lecture on "Government Schemes and Programs for Women Welfare, Empowerment, and Employment" today at the IIM Jammu Mandapam Auditorium, Jagti Campus. The session was conducted by Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India. Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu graced the occasion. Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha was given a tour of the Campus including smart classrooms and state of the art, “Nalanda” Library.
The lecture aimed to highlight the pivotal role of government initiatives in fostering gender equality, empowering women, and promoting inclusive economic growth. The session began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by an introduction to the speaker and the event by the students.Present on the occasion were Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu, Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran, Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Jammu Dr. Ashish Kumar, Chairperson, Student Affairs, IIM Jammu along with the faculty, officers, staff members and students at the Institute.
Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India, praised the exceptional infrastructure at IIM Jammu, comparing it to that of Oxford and Cambridge, with the Nalanda Library standing out as one of the finest in the country. He emphasized that the Ministry of Women and Child Development, established in 2006, is deeply committed to addressing gender inequality, combating malnutrition, and providing equal opportunities for women, impacting nearly 60% of the nation’s population.
He expressed his admiration for IIM Jammu's commitment to gender equality, particularly reflected in the enrolment of female students. He highlighted the Ministry’s focus on gender parity, women empowerment, and strategic budgeting, supported by the Govt. and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, with a dedication to driving women-led development as envisioned in Vision 2047 by Shri Narendra Modi, The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India. He acknowledged India's progress in global indices related to women from 2022 to 2024, stressing the importance of gender budgeting, which is mandated for all ministries and closely monitored by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.
He outlined key initiatives such as Poshan Abhiyaan, Mission Shakti, and Mission Vatsalya, which aim to enhance the lives of women and children. He also discussed efforts to modernize Anganwadi centers, improve maternal health, and enhance program delivery, particularly in rural areas. He mentioned that the Ministry is further strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent fraud and ensure the effective implementation of nutrition programs for pregnant women. He highlighted initiatives like the Nirbhaya Fund and support systems such as Shakti Sadan, designed to assist women in distress.
He emphasized the Ministry’s goal of creating a caring and inclusive society, particularly in rural areas where gender-based challenges are more pronounced and encouraged state governments to effectively implement these programs. He also provided an overview of various internship opportunities for students with the Ministry of Women and Child Development and expressed his desire to return to IIM Jammu to conduct a case study-based lecture for the students. Concluding his remarks, he stated that by ensuring access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is paving the way for a more equitable society where women can thrive and lead.
On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, warmly welcomed everyone to this significant event, symbolizing the bond of growth, prosperity, and security between IIM Jammu and the Ministry of Women and Child Development. He highlighted IIM Jammu’s unwavering commitment to empowering women, starting with the enrollment of 47 students in the institute’s initial batch, and provided an overview of the institute’s rapid journey marked by key achievements. He mentioned that the campus, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, stands as a testament to IIM Jammu’s dedication to education and development in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also spoke about IIM Jammu’s alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including a collaboration with IIT Jammu and AIIMS Jammu to introduce an MBA program in Healthcare Management and Hospital Administration. Additionally, he provided insights into the various other training, consulting, and Ph.D. programs offered by the institute. Despite initial challenges, IIM Jammu has demonstrated financial independence and self-reliance as government grants were phased out. He expressed a strong interest in collaborating with the Ministry of Women and Child Development on their initiatives and other women-focused schemes.
The event also included a felicitation ceremony for the guest, followed by a stimulating Q & A session where students and faculty engaged with Shri Sanjeev Kumar Chadha, seeking his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the realm of women's welfare.The session culminated with a vote of thanks, followed by the National Anthem.IIM Jammu remains committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that encourages dialogue and engagement on critical societal issues. The event was coordinated by Student Affairs office, IIM Jammu.
