IIM Jammu celebrates 79th Independence Day with gaiety and patriotic fervor

JAMMU:The Indian Institute of Management Jammu celebrated the glorious 79th year of India’s Independence with unmatched enthusiasm, pride, and patriotic fervour at its Jagti Campus. The day began with a ceremonial Guard of Honour, followed by the unfurling of the sacred Indian Tricolour by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, in the presence of faculty, officers, staff, and students. As the National Flag soared high, voices united in singing the National Anthem, filling the air with the spirit of freedom and the promise of a stronger India.

In his Independence Day address, Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, extended warm greetings to the IIM Jammu community and paid heartfelt tribute to the victims of the recent tragedy in Kishtwar. He reflected on the transformative journey of a “New India,” guided by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, progressing with quiet determination and decisive action. He highlighted milestones underscoring India’s growing global stature, including Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike that stunned the world, and the Chenab Rail Bridge, poised to significantly enhance connectivity, trade, and tourism in Jammu & Kashmir.

He celebrated India’s recent sporting triumphs, Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion, and Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh making history as the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup and earn the Grandmaster title after defeating Koneru Humpy. He also commended the achievements of Indian astronaut Shri Sudhanshu Sharma, describing his journey as a source of national inspiration.

He noted that India is now the fourth-largest economy in the world and is projected to become the third largest by 2027, citing transformative progress in infrastructure, education, manufacturing, and technology. As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he emphasized innovations such as UPI, Direct Benefit Transfers, the expansion of national highways, educational institutions, and airports, along with India’s emergence as the second-largest mobile manufacturer globally. He also pointed to groundbreaking digital initiatives, including the upcoming Open Digital E-Commerce platform set to revolutionize online trade and the Government of India’s new national search engine, designed to leverage indigenous data resources and strengthen digital self-reliance.

Turning to IIM Jammu’s role in nation-building, he announced the upcoming 10th anniversary on 22 August 2025, along with increased Ph.D. enrolments, higher student intake, and strengthened alumni engagement. He underscored the Institute’s exceptional achievement of securing two prestigious international accreditations, BGA Institutional Accreditation and EFMD Programme Accreditation for its MBA programme, both within a single year.

This distinction places IIM Jammu among the top five IIMs nationwide and makes it the only second-and third-generation IIM to attain both, marking a major milestone in its rapid ascent on the global higher education map. He further highlighted strategic initiatives, including the 24/7 Akshat Communication Lab at IIM Jammu, the YUVA (YUVA Udyami Vikas Abhiyan) Project jointly developed by IIM Jammu and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir under CiTaG for the progress and development of Jammu and Kashmir, and the pioneering Centre for Diversity and Inclusion at IIM Jammu, inaugurated by the then President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind Ji.

He also spoke about Anandam (Centre for Happiness) at IIM Jammu, the first and only one of its kind in India, and the IIM Jammu’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Skill Development (CEISD), aimed at empowering youth to become job creators rather than job seekers. He concluded with a call to faculty, staff, and students to unite in strengthening education, research, and institutional governance, positioning IIM Jammu as a key driver of national progress.  He reaffirmed that India’s resurgence rests on unity, hard work, self-reliance, and an unwavering commitment to progressive development, urging all to work toward realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 set forth by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, while upholding the ideals of freedom, service, and national pride.

Marking a memorable highlight of the day, and as part of its ongoing community outreach initiatives, IIM Jammu warmly welcomed 30 students and three teachers from Hee Maa Public School, Nagrota. The visit was envisioned to broaden young horizons, kindle curiosity, and inspire them to dream fearlessly, encouraging aspirations for higher education and leadership in service to the nation. In a symbolic gesture of hope and unity, tricolour balloons were released into the sky by the visiting students, joined by the young children of IIM Jammu’s faculty and staff, in the gracious presence of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. The young guests interacted with faculty, staff and students, gaining a glimpse into the vibrant academic and cultural life of the Institute. On this momentous occasion, students and teachers were felicitated, highlighting the Institute’s commitment to nurturing talent, promoting inclusivity, and strengthening community ties.

The celebrations were graced by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research; Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Anandam and Media and Publication Division; Prof. Pranab Ranjan Das, Professor of Practice; Prof. Ravij Seth, Professor of Practice; Prof. Rajesh Sikka, Professor of Practice; Prof. P.P. Maheshwari, Professor of Practice; Dr. Ateeque Shaikh, Chairperson, Research; Dr. Archana Sharma, Chairperson, IPM; Dr. Harsha Jariwala, Co-Chairperson, Student Affairs; Dr. Gaana. J, Chairperson, Accreditation; and Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran, Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Jammu, along with faculty, officers, and staff of the Institute.

The Institute stood tall as a radiant beacon of national pride, its very presence mirroring the spirit of a resurgent and ever-glorious India. The air was alive with emotion, as every heartbeat seemed to echo the sacrifices of countless freedom fighters and the dream of a united, strong, and progressive nation.

The celebrations culminated in the soulful rendering of the National Anthem, a moment where voices blended in unison, reaffirming the IIM Jammu fraternity’s unwavering pledge to uphold the ideals of freedom, unity, and selfless service to the motherland. The event was seamlessly coordinated by the Office of Student Affairs, in collaboration with the Student Council, embodying the Institute’s collective dedication to the nation’s glory.