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IIM Indore celebrated the 72nd Republic Day on January 26, 2021 with patriotism and fervour.
The celebration began with the flag hoisting by Professor Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore; in the presence of Col. Gururaj Gopinath Pamidi, CAO, IIM Indore; and entire IIM Indore community who attended the event virtually with provisions for a few, keeping in mind the COVID guidelines. This was then followed by the National Anthem which echoed in the Central Lawns.
Extending the greetings of this auspicious occasion, Professor Rai shared his views C.A.R.E. (Character, Accountability, Responsibility and Excellence) in his Republic Day Address. He explained, ‘Character is what you do when nobody is watching and continue doing the right thing’. He emphasised that the Institute is ‘accountable’ towards its participants, to make sure they get world class academic standards and the right values; accountable towards its employees by ensuring right care to them; and accountable to the world—making sure that the degrees which IIM Indore students hold reflect integrity. ‘And when these three virtues come together, it leads to ‘excellence’, he said.
Citing the Swarn Singh Committee’s recommendation and the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, Professor Rai discussed the fundamental duties of citizens—like respecting the national symbols, promoting equality and brotherhood; and doing away with practices which go against women’s honour. Stressing on women empowerment, he continued, ‘Everyone must be treated with dignity. However, there has been a historical mistake as far as treating certain sections of the society is considered. It is our duty to correct this historic wrongdoings’. He pointed out that when one empowers a man, only he is empowered; but when one empowers a woman, her entire family is empowered.
Mentioning the Institute’s Annual Cultural and Management Fest IRIS’ national record of distributing more than 18000 sanitary pads, Professor Rai talked about breaking the taboo around menstrual hygiene. In extension to that, he announced that under the institutional social responsibility, all women working at the institute would be able to receive sanitary pads free of cost, as long as they are working for the institute. This welcome announcement adds to the institute’s many initiatives towards tackling this societal taboo.
The address was followed by felicitation of IIM Indore’s staff and security personnel who performed extraordinary tasks during the lockdown and the entire year full of various challenges.
The IIM Indore community members shared their song, dance and poetry videos on various patriotic songs on this occasion. These videos were then shared on social media as a part of Digital Republic Day celebrations.