Dear alums,
I, present before you our latest edition of Alumni e-zine, Connexion with an attempt to cover the major activities those happened around the period from January to June 2024.
IIM Calcutta is dedicated to strengthening Institute-Alumni relations. Good alumni relations benefits alumni as well as the institution. Maintaining communication channels like alumni e-zine, Connexion with alumni means we can keep you informed of our achievements and make you part of our institution’s future, not just its past. In recent years, all-round alumni activities have gained momentum and the Institute has come forward holding alumni reunions across the year. A Thanksgiving ceremony was organized as a gesture of gratitude on March 27 to recognize the generous contribution made by the PGP 28th batch. The West (100) Amphitheatre classroom has been renamed as 'PGP 28th Batch Amphi'.
The Institute has a mega-expansion plan to augment its infrastructure. To mark the commencement of this significant endeavour, the Hon’ble Education Minister, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, virtually laid the foundation stone in Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi on 31 January 2024.
The Career Development & Placement Office hosted the inaugural edition of Joka Dialogues - Industry Conclave 2024 on January 13, 2024, with the theme of “Leadership Odyssey: Navigating Uncharted Avenues.”
IIM Calcutta has launched IIMCIP Technology and Innovation Council (IIMC-TIC), a new Section 8 company under the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park.
IIMC-TIC will promote a human-centric approach in nurturing innovation so that the benefits reach all sections of society.
Today, alumni relations are an important part of an institution’s advancement activities for many reasons.
The Institute is all set to organize the maiden conclave on entrepreneurship at national level in August 2024. The event promises to bring forward many new avenues through dialogues and discussion forums for entrepreneurs to achieve the national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. I look forward to your active participation in this mega event.
This issue also covers the on-campus events like Annual Convocation, inauguration of MBAEx and PGPEX VLM's 18th batches, MoU with School of Design Thinking and Mission Samriddhi, Research Summer School 2024, 10th Case Method Workshop and a special session with Spiritual Guru Sri M. Alumni and faculty achievements are also included. Our veteran alumnus, Dr Prem Saran, has contributed a write-up to his book, "Yoga, Bhoga and Ardhanariswara: Individuality, Wellbeing and Gender in Tantra".
Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to supporting and working with you in the future.
Do visit your alma mater whenever you are in the city of Joy.
Happy Reading!
Professor Saibal Chattopadhyay,
Dean (Development & External Relations)
IIM Calcutta held its 59th Annual Convocation on April 6, 2024. The event was attended by Mr. Uday Kotak, Founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, as the Chief Guest. He delivered the 59th Convocation Address. The Chairperson of the Board of Governors, Shri Shrikrishna Kulkarni, and the Director-in-charge of IIM Calcutta, Professor Saibal Chattopadhyay, were also present.
Read More >The institute aims to become an international center of excellence with high global rankings in management education, research, and practice. To achieve this, collaboration with national and international institutions is crucial in order to develop global networks. The goal is to attract a significant number of international scholars to the campus, making it essential to upgrade the infrastructure to maintain a competitive edge on both the national and global stage. Therefore, infrastructure norms such as achieving carbon neutrality and efficiently supporting and utilizing digital technologies are now essential requirements.
Read More >
1st rank holder of MBAEx 2024 Convocation
After an initial period of being overwhelmed, I felt an ineffable sense of serenity within the confines of the IIM-C campus despite the stiff deadlines and countless assignments. Cocooned in my hostel room, I could indulge in intellectual explorations of the kind I had rarely had an opportunity to engage in before. It was a dream come true to receive the Gold Medal. I feel humbled to have achieved this distinction among a cohort of the country’s best and brightest minds.
I am indebted to the incredible faculty at IIM-C for "igniting the fire" and continuously supporting us on our learning journey. I was amazed by the energy and dedication of our Chairperson. The MBAEx Office made our year-long adventure a breeze. I am in awe of the exceptionally talented cohort of my batch and am grateful to them for providing continuous, unmatched intellectual stimulation.
I embarked on my MBA journey as an exercise in self-improvement and feel privileged to have been able to learn from the best. MBAEx has enabled me to emerge more resilient professionally and personally. Taking up my next professional assignment, I feel confident and ready for any challenge that may be thrown at me. #Jokarforlife.
1st rank holder of PGPEX-VLM Batch 17
" My PGPEX – VLM journey at IIM Calcutta has been both enriching and transformative. The curriculum offered a unique learning experience with the perfect blend of future technologies and management knowledge, which helped in getting a comprehensive business perspective in the manufacturing sector. The program exposed me to a vast array of management concepts, theories, and practices, broadening my outlook and sharpening my skills as a future leader. Above all, I will treasure the moments shared with my fellow batchmates and friends throughout this one-year journey. This enriching experience at IIM Calcutta provided me with amazing friends and countless memories to cherish. I aspire to leverage the knowledge gained from my experience at IIM Calcutta to make a meaningful impact."
1st Rank holder – PGDBA
The PGDBA program has been instrumental in shaping my business acumen and deepening my knowledge of statistical and ML techniques. Learning alongside my talented batchmates from the finest professors in the country was an invaluable experience. I was humbled to receive the first prize for academic performance from the chief guest, Mr. Uday Kotak, at the 59th annual convocation.
Every gift makes its unique impact. At IIMC, we have always appreciated the endorsement of our alums spread across the globe. A Thanksgiving ceremony was organized as a gesture of gratitude on March 27 at the Amphitheatre, West (100), to recognize the generous contribution made by the PGP 28th batch. It was held in a hybrid mode, and a Zoom meeting was set up to celebrate the ceremony with the larger cohort of the batch. The batch, led by Dr. Bala Vissa, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Family Enterprise, INSEAD, joined virtually to celebrate this remarkable milestone.
The ceremony was inaugurated by Professor Saibal Chattopadhyay, Director In-Charge, IIM Calcutta, in the presence of Professor Manish Thakur, Dean (New Initiatives & External Relations), who offered our sincere appreciation to the collective efforts of the PGP 28th batch for this magnificent gesture. Their thoughtful generosity has strengthened our resolve to consistently endeavour to make IIMC an institution of eminence in management education. The West (100) Amphitheatre in the New Academic Block henceforth will be known as 'PGP 28th Batch Amphi'. The remaining portion of the fund will be utilized for a partial scholarship to any deserving student based purely on merit.
The event was also attended by other faculty members, students and officers of the institute.
IIM Calcutta is proud to announce the establishment of the "IIMCIP Technology and Innovation Council" (IIMC-TIC), a new Section 8 company under the IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), which is a Technology Business Incubator under IIM Calcutta. The announcement took place at a press meet at IIM Calcutta campus on June 22, 2024, in the presence of the Chairman of IIM Calcutta Board of Governors, the Director in-charge of IIM Calcutta, the Chairman and Board members of IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, and Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, the proposed Chairman of the Board of IIMC-TIC.
The vision of IIMC-TIC emphasizes innovation, technology-driven growth, and inclusive development across East and North-East India. The primary aim is to catalyze innovation and entrepreneurship with a strong focus on East and North East India. IIMC-TIC will promote a human-centric approach in nurturing innovation so that the benefits reach all sections of society. The key activities of IIMC-TIC would be:
The Career Development & Placement Office (CDPO) of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta hosted the inaugural edition of JOKA DIALOGUES - INDUSTRY CONCLAVE 2024 on January 13, 2024. The theme was “Leadership Odyssey: Navigating Uncharted Avenues.” The panelists were IIMC Alumni from diverse industries, ranging from PGP 22 to PGP 40. The moderators were also IIMC Alumni, Prof. Anamitra Chatterjee (PGP 31) and Prof. Lakshmi Goyal (PGP 44). The event was kicked off by Professor Manish Thakur, Dean (NI&ER) and Professor Bhaskar Chakrabarti, Dean (Academics), who welcomed the Alumni. This was followed by a 3-hour panel discussion between IIMC Alumni and Moderators, including Q&A from an audience of 100 students on campus. The event concluded with a Vote of thanks given by Professor Nimruji J Prasad, Chairperson (CDPO) of IIM Calcutta.
On April 26, 2024, 80 industry professionals officially joined the one-year residential MBA program at IIM Calcutta, forming the MBAEx Class of 2025.
The 18th MBAEx inauguration served as a tribute to the entrepreneurial alumni and a message to future aspirants that the growth of MBAEx aligns with the growth of India. The inauguration was themed "From Job Seekers to Job Creators: Reimagining MBA in Contemporary India," a quote by MBAEx alumnus Ramaswamy.
The event began with an address by Prof. Saibal Chattopadhyay, Director-in-Charge, IIMC, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of the batch, including a mother with twins, students with spouses as immediate seniors, and emerging PSU-space entrants. Prof. Bhaskar Chakraborty, Dean of Academic Programmes, highlighted the recent visit by AMBA to the campus, celebrating the transition of MBAEx International Immersion to Esade-Spain and SDA-Bocconi B-Schools for modules on innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
The opening keynote, "How to Raise Funds for Your Startup?" by Vijay Singh Rathore, Co-Founder & CEO of Soonicorn Ventures, highlighted major startups that Soonicorn has been assisting. Alina Alam, Founder and CEO of Mitti Cafe, discussed social entrepreneurship, focusing on abilities over disabilities. Nishant Sinha, Founder of Roastery Coffee House, shared the differentiating factor of his venture centered on Indian farms. Ramaswamy Sankar, Founder of Trayac Entrepreneurs Pvt. Ltd and esteemed MBAEx alumnus, emphasized the crucial role Batch 18 students would play in India's GDP growth, citing his own post-MBA journey.
Prof. Ramendra Singh from IIMC's Marketing group delved into the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP) context with three case studies, highlighting wealth concentration and concepts like prosperity polarization and reverse innovation. Srinath Ravichandran, Co-Founder & CEO of Agnikul Cosmos, represented the growing presence of ISRO in MBAEx and emphasized managerial potential in space startups.
The event concluded with Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO of Innovation Park at IIMC, introducing the "Startup Garage hackathon" to provide real-world exposure to entrepreneurship. The hackathon involved 80 ideas, 48 investor-supported ventures, and culminated in 3 winning startups - Easy Toys, Insta Dine, and Howdy - based on validation, profitability, and passion criteria. Participants also enjoyed hot and cold coffee courtesy of Roastery Coffee House throughout the inauguration and Startup Garage.
In summary, the 18th inauguration featured diverse keynote speakers from various industries along with a 2-day startup hackathon, reinforcing IIMC's commitment to onboard 80 co-creators of the growing MBAEx learning community.
On April 19th, 2024, the 18th batch of the Post Graduate Program for Executives for Visionary Leadership in Manufacturing (PGPEX-VLM) was inaugurated at IIM Calcutta. The ceremony began with the Chief Guest, Mr. NAKAGAWA Koichi, Consul-General of Japan in Kolkata, lighting a lamp. The notable attendees included Prof. Bhaskar Chakrabarti, Director-in-Charge (Acting) and Dean (Academic Programmes) of IIM Calcutta, Ms. Shigeko INABA, JICA expert from the Sustainable Global Business Breakthrough Ecosystem (SGBBE) Project, Prof. Deepu Philip, Coordinator, PGPEX-VLM, IIT Kanpur, Prof. Manju Jaiswall, a member of IIMC's Board of Governors, Prof. Nisigandha Bhuyan, Chairperson of IIMC’s MCHV, and Prof. Sudhir S. Jaiswall, Chairperson PGPEX-VLM, IIM Calcutta. Additionally, the event was virtually attended by Prof. M. Thenmozhi, Head of the Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, Mr. G. Sunderraman, Chairperson of the Senior Advisory Committee, VLFM-CII and Executive Vice President of Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd, Prof. Yukio YOKOI and Prof. Akiko ITO from Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan, Mr. Manabu IIDA, JICA Chief Advisor of SGBBE Project, and Prof. Prajamitra Bhuyan from IIMC’s Operations Management group.
The flagship MBA program concluded its final placements for the 59th batch on February 15, 2024, with 100% of students placed. A total of 464 students participated in the process, receiving 529 offers from 194 companies despite tough market conditions.
The consulting sector emerged as the top recruiter with 167 students (31.6%) receiving offers. Accenture Strategy was the top recruiter in the consulting sector, which also included firms such as EY-Parthenon, Monitor Deloitte, KPMG, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Vector Consulting, Arthur D. Little, McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and Kearney.
Furthermore, 114 students (21.5%) secured positions in marquee finance firms, including private equity, venture capital, investment banking, markets, asset and wealth management domains. Participating firms included Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Barclays, HSBC, BNP Paribas, Arga, Avendus, Neo Asset & Wealth Management, Kotak Alternate Assets, Kotak Mahindra Capital, Ambit, Incred, Prime Ventures, Orios VP, Premji Invest, Elevation Capital, O3 Capital, Gaja Capital, and Innoven Capital.
The technology sector extended offers to 88 students (16.6%), with firms like Microsoft, Navi, Arcesium, Media.Net, Uber, Angel One, HCL, Newgen, Zomato, Javis, and NPCI participating. Additionally, 130 students (24.6%) were recruited in the Marketing and General Management sector by companies such as ITC, L'Oréal, Procter & Gamble, Dabur, Tata Administrative Services, Vedanta, Adani, Hinduja, Aditya Birla Group, Essar Group, JSW, and Reliance, among others.
A new trend observed this year was the offering of roles in the 'Founder’s office' by firms like OLA, IndusInd Bank, Newme, ParkStreet, PoshN, and Kofluence. Also, several first-time recruiters such as Jio Financial Services, Hero Fincorp, Yubi, Sobha Realty, Sirius AI, Husk Power Systems, and DMI Finance participated in the placement process.
This year's placements also saw increased interest in the pre-placement offer route and the participation of many first-time global recruiters. The institute continued to support the country's start-up ecosystem, with students joining the “founder’s office” to contribute to the growth of start-ups. Additionally, the strength and support of the institute’s alumni base and network shone through the placement process. This year, the institute also launched Joka Dialogues- Industry Conclave to strengthen alumni relationships, with the inaugural edition held on January 13 at the IIMC campus.
Profressor Nimruji Jammulamadaka, Chairperson, Placement Committee said, looking at the market conditions, we were ready for the long haul and focused on diversifying the recruiter base and building student resilience. We must say, the institute has been successful in this regard. The Joka Spirit of “we leave no one behind” is one of the greatest strengths of the Joka community comprising students and alumni has helped us weather the tough conditions.
IIM Calcutta, the School of Design Thinking, and Mission Samriddhi signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on March 17, 2024, to promote Design Thinking for institutional leadership. Professor Saibal Chattopadhyay, Director-in-Charge of IIM Calcutta, Professor Bhaskar Chakrabarti, Dean (Academic) of IIM Calcutta, Mr. Arun Jain, CMD of Intellect Design Arena & Founder-Trustee of Mission Samriddhi, and Dr. Anbu Rathinavel, Co-Founder & Head of the School of Design Thinking, graced the occasion at the signing ceremony. This MoU will be valid for a period of 3 years.
The collaboration between IIMC, SoDT, and Mission Samriddhi will establish 'India's first-of-its-kind Center of Excellence for Design Thinking in a premier Business School. This center will serve as the hub for all Design Thinking initiatives undertaken by IIMC and associated organizations. The School of Design Thinking, known for developing India’s first program on ‘Design The Thinking®’ tailored for academics, will support this initiative through special courses for students and other stakeholders at IIMC.
The Financial Research and Trading Laboratory (FRTL) at IIM Calcutta organized the 9th Research Summer School in Empirical Finance and Accounting from April 29 to May 8, 2024. This event was aimed at doctoral students and junior faculty from various Indian universities, covering a wide range of topics in finance and accounting. The speakers included distinguished faculty from institutions such as IIM Calcutta, Rutgers Business School, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Wayne State University, Georgia State University, and IIM Ahmedabad. Notable faculty members included Prof. Raman Kumar from Virginia Tech, Prof. Vikas Agarwal from Georgia State, Prof. Suresh Govindaraj from Rutgers, and Prof. Manoj Kulchania from Wayne State.
The event hosted 22 participants, including doctoral students from Indian universities and faculty members from various management institutions. The sessions covered topics ranging from applied econometrics to advanced research methods in Finance and Accounting. The event was inaugurated by Prof. Saibal Chattopadhyay (Director-in-charge, IIM Calcutta), Prof. Peeyush Mehta, Prof. Saikat Maitra, and Prof. Vivek Rajvanshi, who emphasized active participation and knowledge acquisition. Key focus areas included corporate governance, financial reporting, asset pricing, behavioral finance, corporate finance, banking, CEO compensation, and financial risk management.
IIM Calcutta hosted its 10th Case Method Workshop on January 5th and 6th, 2024, with over 30 enthusiastic participants. Organized by the IIM Calcutta Case Research Centre (IIMCCRC), the workshop provided a platform for research scholars and faculty from prominent business schools across India, including IIM Calcutta, IIM Udaipur, IIM Shillong, and IMT Ghaziabad, to learn and collaborate on case-based teaching in the ever-evolving academic landscape.
At the workshop's opening, Prof. Bhaskar Chakrabarti, Director-In-Charge and Dean Academic of IIM Calcutta, highlighted the workshop's relevance amidst the changing academic landscape. Prof. Dharma Raju Bathini, the faculty coordinator of IIMCCRC, emphasized the need to adapt instructional methods in light of changes brought forth by COVID-19 and the rise of AI applications like ChatGPT. These changes demand fresh perspectives on case writing and delivery, ensuring relevant and engaging learning experiences for students.
Distinguished case writer and tutor Prof. Ashok Som from ESSEC Business School, Paris, led the first day, delving into foundational case concepts, crafting, and development strategies, and effective teaching notes. Participants also witnessed the launch of a new IIMCCRC case titled "Chowman: The Culinary Maestro from Kolkata" authored by Prof. Sarvana Jaikumar of IIM Calcutta's Marketing Group. The session featured captivating interactions with Chowman founder and Managing Director Mr. Debaditya Chowdhury, offering valuable insights into the company's journey.
Day 2 explored the intersection of AI and case-based teaching. Prof. Ashok Som continued leading the discussions, delving into the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies like ChatGPT. Prof. Arpita Ghosh from IIM Calcutta’s Finance and Control group shared her expertise on "Teaching Effectively with Cases," while Prof. Dharma Raju Bathini outlined the nuances of leveraging academic research for case writing and classroom delivery.
Sri M commenced his discourse with a chant from the Taittiriya Upanishad – ॐ सह नाववतु । सह नौ भुनक्तु । सह वीर्यं करवावहै । तेजस्वि नावधीतमस्तु मा विदविशावै । ॐ शांतिः शांतिः ॥
Sri M explained the importance of inner peace and how peace emerges not from forces outside but from the mind and heart of the individual.
The term ‘सह’ (saha) which repeatedly occurs in the chant, encapsulates the inextricable linkages between the self and the other. Saha emphasizes the values of collective humanity - protection, nourishment, effort and intellectual growth leading to peace.
In discussing management, Sri M advocated for effective delegation. Emphasizing the role of managers, he said anyone in the position of responsibility and management must have a wider view of managing the minds and the directions of thought of the humanity rather than micro managing day to day affairs. He cited examples of visionary thinkers like Henry Ford and Einstein, who challenged conventional wisdom and demonstrated the importance of innovative thinking. Sri M highlighted the importance of self-improvement and emphasized that education in any form should instill values and foster a sense of responsibility towards humanity.
Sri M lucidly explained that our collective goal is to free ourselves from the trivial, which also means seeking protection from the vagaries of nature, bad thoughts and aspiration for power. Our concerns are common though the subject matter of our concern may be different for different individuals.
Humanity should also get proper nourishment both physical (e.g. nutrients) and mental (e.g. proper understanding). Humanity has unlimited potentiality and the role of managers is to figure out the mechanism to tap this unlimited potentiality so that life can be improved in ways that makes everybody (लोका: समस्ता: सुखिनो भवन्तु) in the universe happy.
In Saha Nau Bhunaktu - "May we be nourished together" again focus shifts to the sustenance and well-being of all. It implies a shared prosperity where everyone has access to nourishment, both physical and spiritual. Saha Vīryam Karavāvahai - encourages individuals to join forces and channel their energies towards the goal of humanity.
Sri M enthusiastically responded to the questions from students and faculty. He emphasized that following the middle path (while facing the dilemma between material and spiritual) is both possible as well as desirable for Grihasthas. He suggested some practical ways to get rid of negative emotions such as jealousy or anger towards someone. In response to another question contrasting the strict demands of business education, jobs, and careers and the pursuit of higher spiritual goals, Sri M once again acknowledged the legitimacy of such dilemmas. Furthermore, he suggested two ways to move from the practical towards the ideal.
Firstly, he suggested to reserve some time in the courses or curriculum to reflect upon how the learnings can be put to the good of humanity. Additionally, he suggested more personal connect between the teachers and students so that the students could be sensitized towards the human and societal issues outside the courses or curriculum.
Sri M advised to manage animosity and discord by understanding the opponent as a co-being.
It emphasizes the importance of peace and understanding in relationships, fostering an
atmosphere of mutual respect and acceptance of whatever is worthy and good. He also
emphasized the importance of dialogue in solving our problems.
In conclusion, Sri M underscored that true peace emanates from within, originating from the mind and heart, and individuals must cultivate inner peace to contribute to humanity. He urged the audience to view education not merely as a means to secure careers and opportunities but as a catalyst for personal transformation and betterment of humanity. Sri M stressed the relevance of ancient teachings in nurturing originality of thought as well as to attain inner peace. He emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and a positive mindset in resolving conflicts, urging a return to personalized teaching methods that prioritize individual growth. Furthermore, Sri M highlighted the universality of humanity, transcending individual differences and experiences. He acknowledged the presence of negative emotions within every individual but emphasized the importance of self-awareness and inner transformation to overcome them. Sri M emphasized the collective responsibility to work towards the betterment of humanity. He called for a renewed focus on human values and personal growth as essential components of a harmonious society.
IIM Calcutta congratulates Prof. Devi Vijay. Her article with Prof. Philippe MONIN and Prof. Mukta Kulkarni in Organization Studies titled "Strangers at the Bedside: Solidarity-making to address institutionalized infrastructural inequalities" has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Responsible Research in Management Award by the Fellows of the Academy of Management and the Responsible Research in Business and Management (RRBM) network.
Even leaders need guidance to guide them. Executive coaches offer comprehensive guidance to help leaders enhance their skills, enabling seamless transitions between strategic thinking and emotional intelligence as required. Change is inevitable in this ever-changing world of business, and these executive coaches help navigate these transitions.
IIM Calcutta Congratulates Anamitra Chatterjee, Accredited Executive Coach (EMCC) and an alumnus of PGP31 Batch (1994-96) for being featured on the post of CEO Weekly, Edinburgh UK (July 2024), which spotlights Anamitra amongst ''Leading Executive Coaches Navigating the Corporate World.''
An extract from the "Afterword" to the second paperback edition of IIMC alumnus, Dr. Prem Saran's book, "Yoga, Bhoga and Ardhanariswara: Individuality, Wellbeing and Gender in Tantra" (Routledge, London and New York):
The Aesthetics of Tantra and The Reenchantment of the World
In the final section of the first edition of this book, I had referred to the “global outreach of Tantra”, and how its thoroughly sensory ritual praxis could even conduce to the “reenchantment” of the globalized world of Western modernity. So that possibility is precisely what I am now addressing a decade later, in this Afterword to the second, paperback edition of the book.
I shall accordingly first recapitulate the three themes that I had elaborated on in my book. And then I shall show how these themes--and particularly that of pleasure/play—can enable the transmutation of the individual practitioner’s world through his or her experience of shrigara-rasa, or the hedonistic-aesthetic experience of Tantric enstasy (Bharati, 1976a).
The Three Tantric Themes: A Reprise. I had argued in Chapter 6 that the pandemic Tantric traditions of South Asia constitute a counter-culture that is at least fifteen centuries old. Thus the pervasive ritual use of traditional mandalas of male and female deities in union neatly encapsulates my three themes, which function as a core axiology of Indic culture.
First, these mandalic deities model the theme of the yogic construction of the divinized self-image of the Tantric, based on her meditative experience of the unio mystica. Secondly, the conjoined deities enact the lila or erotic sport that underlies Indic cosmogony, its vivid play and pleasure pointing to the theme of bhoga or wellbeing that Tantric praxis generates. Finally, the complementarity of the two deities renders the theme of gender-mutuality, as graphically represented in the iconography of Ardhanariswara/ Ardhanariswari (Goldberg 2002: 149, fig. 5.1).
Further, to reinforce the centrality of these triple themes in the Indic civilization, one may also recall the ubiquity of the kundalini-model in the yoga-based religiosity of the pan-Indic civilization. Unpacked, the process involves the visualized rousing of one’s psycho-spiritual energy—hypostasized as the Hindu goddess Kundalini, or as Avadhuti in Buddhist Tantra--from its resting place at the bottom of the inner yogic body, to the very apex of that body in the cranium, via a number of “chakras” or “energy stations” (Diamond 2013: 27) that vary from four to six or more, depending on the particular cult.
Then, at the end of her journey she unites with her divine consort—Shiva or other god of the Hindu, Buddhist or Jain tradition—in blissful union, thus once again enculturating the three themes in the being of the Tantric practitioner. To wit, the mutual erotic attraction of the practitioner’s inner god and goddess—replicated in some cases externally by the Tantric couple’s ritual praxis—is expressed in the ecstasy of their intimate play and pleasure, which culminates in the enstasy of the mystical experience.
Again, through an analysis of the neo-Tantric Rajneesh movement in the West vis a vis each of the three themes above, I had indicated how the Tantric ideology and praxis of South Asia have been exported to North America and Western Europe over recent decades. However, that export had long preceded Rajneesh and has by now been going on for almost a century and a half, so that Tantra is today a vibrant part of the “counter-culture” in the West as well....
The SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) has appointed former PepsiCo India Chairman and CEO, Shiv Shivakumar, to its Governing Council. Mr. Shivakumar, an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, has held various leadership positions in top global firms such as PepsiCo, Nokia, and Unilever.
Mindtree has appointed Vipul Chandra, an alumnus of IIM Calcutta, as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He is an engineer specializing in electronics and communication and a post-graduate from IIM Calcutta. With over three decades of experience in the finance function, he brings a wealth of expertise to the role.
IIM Calcutta alumnus Nikhil Rao has been appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mars Wrigley India, overseeing the chocolate and confectionery segment of Mars Inc. His role involves leading strategic initiatives and managing the brand's communications in India.
Investment services provider HDFC Securities has appointed IIM Calcutta alumnus Puneeth Bekal as its Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President. Mr. Bekal will be heading the Marketing Department and will oversee HDFC Sky, their flat pricing equity broking app launched in September 2023.
Steer World, a global leader in engineering innovation specializing in materials transformation, has appointed IIM Calcutta alumnus T.N. Hari as its Executive Chairman. This strategic move marks a significant milestone for the company as it strives to achieve new heights under Mr. Hari's dynamic leadership. Leveraging his extensive experience and insights in growing and scaling organizations, the company aims to benefit from his leadership.
Congratulations to the alumnus of the 41st batch of IIM Calcutta, Vijay Lancy, on being appointed as the Coach for the Indian Badminton Team for the Orleans Masters Tournament held in Orleans, France from March 12 to 17, 2024.