With a steadfast commitment to nation-building, IIM Indore concluded the ninth batch of its Leadership Excellence Programme under ANVESHAN, its Centre of Excellence, on January 23, 2025. This transformative initiative, in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), reflects the institute’s dedication to creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable India under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0.
IIM Indore has been training senior officials from across the country, equipping them with cutting-edge knowledge and innovative tools to lead the transformation in urban governance, waste management, and sustainability. The Leadership Excellence Programme serves as a platform for empowering municipal leaders, local government officials, and industry experts to exchange ideas, share knowledge, and address the challenges of waste management and sanitation with strategic and sustainable solutions. A total of 39 senior officials from nine states, namely Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Kerala have participated in the programme.
Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, highlighted the institute’s philosophy of nation-building through innovative education and collaboration. Reflecting on the importance of ANVESHAN’s mission, Prof. Rai said, “At IIM Indore, we are not merely teaching leadership; we are nurturing changemakers who will redefine urban India. ANVESHAN exemplifies our commitment to aligning academic excellence with national priorities. Together with MoHUA, we envision cleaner, healthier cities that lead us to a brighter future.” He outlined IIM Indore’s mission to produce socially conscious leaders and tackle some of India’s pressing challenges, including urban infrastructure. He underlined the transformative role of education and awareness, explaining that true education liberates individuals from the mindset of shirking responsibility, making it the most powerful tool for change. He praised Indore’s success, achieved through janbhagidari (community participation) and positive reinforcement, setting an example for a clean and healthy India. “You, as leaders, have the power to shape a nation’s future,” he stated, urging participants to embody this mission of clean India through education, awareness, and community-driven change.
Prof. Subin Sudhir, Associate Dean – Executive Education Programme, emphasized IIM Indore’s commitment to nation-building and contributing to Swachh Bharat through ANVESHAN. He encouraged open discussions, urging participants to collaborate and learn from peers across various states, making the most of this transformative experience.
Prof. Ganesh Kumar Nidugala mentioned that the programme offers an action-packed curriculum designed to address some of the most pressing urban governance challenges. He said that over the course of four days, participants got a chance to engage with industry leaders, seasoned academicians, and policymakers, delving deep into topics such as waste management, public procurement, behavioral change, and project management.
A defining feature of the programme was the hands-on exposure visit to the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), a model of excellence in urban governance. Participants observed firsthand the best practices that had made Indore India’s cleanest city for seven consecutive years. This visit included detailed discussions with IMC leadership and other key personnel involved in Indore’s waste management and sanitation success stories.
The programme featured an exceptional lineup of experts who shared their knowledge on various critical aspects of waste management. Topics included integrated solid waste management, offering holistic approaches that combined innovative practices with practical solutions; recent advancements in renewable energy, focusing on biogas and compressed biogas models; legacy waste and remediating landfills. Frameworks linking waste management to broader climate goals and strategies to influence public behavior and foster community-driven waste reduction initiatives were also discussed. Sessions on optimizing dry waste management, plastic waste management, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ways to improve door-to-door waste collection systems, and advanced waste management techniques were shared with the participants. Throughout the programme, officials gained practical insights into managing waste more effectively, integrating sustainable solutions, and driving public engagement in waste reduction.
Recognizing the importance of holistic leadership, the programme also included daily yoga sessions to boost mindfulness and well-being among participants.
In partnership with MoHUA and under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, IIM Indore’s Centre of Excellence ANVESHAN continues to bridge the gap between academic insights and real-world applications. Through effective collaborations, enhancing capabilities, and instilling a spirit of innovation, ANVESHAN is creating a cadre of leaders dedicated to building a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable India.