The two day induction programme for Post Graduate Programme in Management (PGP) Batch 2016-18 concluded at IIM Indore on July 2, 2016. The second day of the programme was graced by the presence of Ms. Aparna Jain, Founder & CEO, Zebraa Works, Leadership Coaching and Integral Consultancy. Ms. Jain is also the author of the renowned book ‘OWN IT’ which takes a thorough look at the women’s problem at any workplace.

Ms. Aparna Jain began her interactive session questioning the students about what they think about feminism, diversity at the workplace and inclusion, and how these affect any organization. She then discussed about various common words used in daily-language, like businessman, chairman, actor, poet, comedian, etc. and noted how these are male-representative words, which by-default are considered made-for-the -male gender only. ‘A woman can also be a businessman, but people would call her a business woman. Same goes for chairman, where she is then called chairperson. These words by-default have discriminated among genders and this is now changing. A best actor now can be a female too. A female poem writer is now called a poet as well, not poetess; and this will make lives different’, Ms. Jain mentioned.

Mentioning about how a child is brought up in a particular manner depending upon whether it’s a boy or a girl, she said that objectification of women and certain behavioral habits need to change. ‘Why does a boy always has to play with a car and not a doll? And why a girl always needs a doll and can’t play with a truck toy?’– these habits make the child develop double standards as well. She also mentioned how issues like a child can have his mother’s name are representing a changing scenario.

Professor Rishikesha T. Krishnan, Director, IIM Indore also interacted with the new PGP Batch. He congratulated the students for making it to IIM Indore, and advised them to keep learning and working hard, as this is just the beginning. Giving examples of famous personalities like ChetanBhagat, RashmiBansal, RamachandraGuha, etc.; he said that one should always stay disciplined and remain focused. ‘Creating your own brand and career is like a marathon, not a 100 metre sprint. You need to start steady and slow and remain focused, so that you don’t lose at the end’, he said. He advised the students that what you do first definitely matters a lot, but it is not going to determine your trajectory to the future.  ‘Strive for excellence, try to be the best in whatever you do, continue to improve and keep practicing your skills in various forms to become a better person’, he concluded. This was followed by a Q&A session.

The second day also witnessed a session by Professor Abha Chatterjee, in which she sensitized the students regarding creating a comfortable environment for specially-abled persons. The last day of the orientation had briefings about Plagiarism, Library Facilities, IT Infrastructure of the Institute, Hostel and Security and Safety measures.

The two day orientation programme facilitated the new batch get familiarized to the Institute, know their faculty, the infrastructure and aim higher looking forward to the next two years they would be spending here.

Watch the pictures below:

Tags: directoriimIIM IndoreMs. Aparna JainPGP Induction ProgrammeRishikesha T. Krishnan