JAMMU: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu under the leadership of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu concluded the Leadership and Management Development Program for elected representatives, officers, and officials of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) of Jammu & Kashmir. The program, held from July 15 to July 17, 2024, at the Aryabhatta Classroom, Academic Block, aimed at enhancing the leadership skills and management capabilities of the participants.
The valedictory ceremony was held on July 17, 2024, marking the culmination of an intensive and enriching program. The event commenced with a comprehensive program summary presented by Dr. Vedika Saxena, Program Director, IIM Jammu. She expressed delight in announcing the successful completion of the program. She conveyed hope that the insights gained during this program would have a lasting impact on the way participants lead and govern their respective offices.
Dr. Pratik Maheshwari, Co-Chairperson of Executive Education & Consultancy (EE &C), IIM Jammu highlighted that the Institute offers various programs under different categories and collaborates with the government to provide comprehensive support. He noted that many Management Development Programs are in the pipeline. He emphasized that the officials, who work at the grassroots level to facilitate village development, already possess significant expertise, and the program aimed to enhance their existing management and leadership skills to further empower them in their roles.
Shri Sham Lal, Director Panchayati Raj, Jammu & Kashmir, expressed his happiness at the knowledge provided by IIM Jammu to the officials, enabling them to address field management and leadership challenges. He mentioned the excellent participation from the officials, who greatly benefited from the program. He looks forward to collaborating with IIM Jammu on many more such initiatives to empower officials to better manage and strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions, ultimately improving governance and service delivery.
Present on the occasion, was Ms. Sheetal Pandita, Deputy Secretary to Govt J & K. The distribution of certificates followed, celebrating the successful completion of the program by the participants. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Manu Bansal, Program Director, IIM Jammu and the rendition of the National Anthem. The whole program was coordinated by Executive Education and Consultancy, (EE &C), IIM Jammu.
IIM Jammu remains committed to its vision of nurturing leadership and fostering excellence in management education. The Leadership/Management Development Program for Elected Representatives and Officials of PRIs of J&K is a testament to the institute's dedication to contributing to the socio-economic development of the region through capacity building and knowledge dissemination.
Earlier, Secretary, Rural Development Department (RDD) and Panchayati Raj, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, virtually inaugurated the program. In his address, the Secretary emphasized the crucial role of data and analytics in policy formulation and decision-making. He stressed the importance of financial and project management in effective governance and commended IIM Jammu's faculty for their readiness to assist participants in mastering these vital skills.
Dr Shahid also highlighted the critical role of PRIs in grassroots governance and the importance of effective local leadership. Director, Panchayati Raj underscored the need to tackle field challenges in rural development and Panchayati Raj, calling for unity and diligent work to achieve significant progress in villages.
Dr. Manu Bansal, Program Director at IIM Jammu, provided an overview of the program's objectives and expected outcomes. Dr. Ateeque Shaikh, Chairperson of Executive Education and Consultancy at IIM Jammu, explained that their training programs are designed to be uniquely impactful, focusing on essential aspects such as village planning, development, and resource mobilization. He emphasized that the modules provide practical knowledge directly applicable to improving rural communities.
Deputy Secretary, RD&PR, Sheetal Pandita, affirmed the department's commitment to nurturing leadership and fostering excellence in management education for elected representatives. The program was also attended by Dr. Vedika Saxena, Program Director at IIM Jammu, Mohammad Riaz, Technical Officer, PMAY-G, and other departmental officials.
