Nostalgia and bonhomie was evident at the 4^th Alumni Meet of Indian Institute of Management Raipur. Former students of PGP from the first four batches, working in the country and abroad, were present to share their experiences with the batch. Also it was the first Alumni meet of Post Graduate programme in Management for Working Executive (PGPWE) which was inaugurated by the Director of IIM Raipur, Prof. B.S. Sahay.

The inaugural ceremony took place in the presence of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Raipur, Prof. Satyasiba Das, Chairperson Alumni Committee, and Prof. PRS Sarma, Chairperson, PGP and PGPWE along with all the alumni and faculty of the institute gathered for the event. The occasion was graced by more than 35 Alumni ranging across various batches from various parts of the country and outside the country as well.

Speaking on the occasion, the Director underlined and praised the achievements of Alumni of IIM Raipur in all spheres of life. He felt that it was a matter of great pride for IIM Raipur that its Alumni are holding positions of responsibility in various Government organizations, PSUs, Private sector, Academic Institutions. Many of them are successful entrepreneurs providing jobs to others as well. He praised their contribution towards the growth of their Alma Mater and emphasized the need for further strengthening the linkage between the Alumni and IIM Raipur and current students. Later, he informed the alumni of the progress of construction work of the new campus and hoped to hold the next alumni meeting on the new campus at Naya Raipur. Images and videos of construction work, taken with a drone camera were also shown in the backdrop while the Director shared the new campus plan with the alumni. Steps to strengthen the connect between alumni and the institution were discussed and the Director proposed holding the alumni meeting on the same day across the world. Prof. Sahay suggested that the Director could be present on one of the venues while some other professors could join the meet at different other venues. Referring to the contribution of alumni across the world, he asked the alumni to remain actively connected with their alma mater by regularly visiting the institute website and suggesting activities that could benefit IIM Raipur students. He concluded by saying the institute belongs to its alumni and both gain from each other’s growth.

The Chairperson of Alumni Committee, Prof. Satyasiba Das welcomed the alumni in the campus and appreciated their zeal to assemble in the institute despite their busy schedules. This was followed by launch of Aluminati, the bi-annual newsletter which contains the highlights of all the activities happening in the college. Special features and interviews with Alumni is the highlight of the newsletter. Dr. Samar Singh, Professor IIM Raipur – alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad and IIT Bombay – on this occasion stressed the importance of having a strong alumni network. He said that one-on-one bonding within and across batches and different programmes is very necessary to gain skill and experience in this corporate world.

The Inaugural session was followed by cultural programme by PGP 1^st year students. Great bonhomie was observed everywhere with old students reliving their old memories with their batch mates, seniors and juniors. Many of the current students were also seen interacting with their pass out seniors and learning from their experiences. In all, the ambience was electric with people seen chatting in groups.

Various clubs and committees of IIM Raipur interacted with the former students and presented their respective achievements and their contribution to the institute. The alumni also came up with various suggestions for the better functioning of the students’ clubs and committees.

The well-settled managers and leaders apparently tried to relive their college days once again with their batch-mates during the event and proudly remembered the days when they were in the institute. They then discussed on how to go about “Strengthening the bond between the Institute and the Alumni”.  They stressed upon the point that Networking is the most crucial part for corporate leaders and this provides a great platform where they not only have a rendezvous with their junior batches but also engage in an exchange of thought and ideas from the past and present batches.

The event was stimulating and enjoyable and simultaneously profitable as all members shared their views ideate and good numbers of new ideas, information and insights came up. The day ended in a casual interaction between the students where the alumni shared lighter moments with their junior batches.

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