IIM Indore’s Centre of Excellence, ANVESHAN, Inaugurates its First Batch, Uniting Leaders for a Cleaner, Greener Future

IIM Indore proudly announces the commencement of its much-anticipated Centre of Excellence for Waste Management and WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) – ANVESHAN, with the launch of its first batch today, July 31, 2023. Prof. Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, inaugurated the batch. Honorable Mayor of Indore, Shri Pushyamitra Bhargav was the Special Guest on this occasion.

Prof. Himanshu Rai emphasized the importance of “Jan Bhagidari,” which helped Indore maintain its position as the cleanest city in the nation through collaborative participation. He stressed that the key to success lies in collaboration and urged the participants to learn from the geese. “When geese fly in a triangle formation, the leader takes turns to conserve energy. This highlights the significance of trusting each other’s strengths and providing encouragement when needed”, he said. Prof. Rai underscored the value of openness to experience and learning, and distinguishing between knowledge and wisdom. “Be receptive to ideas and thoughts, as true wisdom comes from being open-minded. While you all are here, you can learn about the new initiatives and the practices undertaken in other parts of the nation and implement the same in  your city”, he said. Prof. Rai also prompted introspective reflections, urging them to define success in their own terms rather than comparing it with other cities. While you learn from everyone, do not compete with them. Redefine your success and analyse how far you have come from the last year in contributing to your city. “Let us together focus on the creation of a culture where everyone is focused on building a healthy, clean, and prosperous nation”, he said, encouraging the batch to contribute to nation-building.

Honourable Mayor Shri Pushyamitra Bhargav expressed his appreciation for IIM Indore’s programme and applauded its significance in tying together the good works happening across the country. He warmly welcomed everyone to Ahilya Nagri and highlighted the government’s growing concern regarding the progress of civic bodies. “In the past, the focus for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) was mainly on infrastructure, education, industrialization, and resource management, but the Swachh Bharat Mission has brought about a change in this mindset”, he said. He praised the transformation in the thought process, citing the example of Indore’s success in achieving cleanliness and development. “Indore, which was once ranked 47th, has now consistently held the top position in cleanliness for six years, all thanks to behavioral change. This change in the way people think about their city has been instrumental in encouraging citizens to follow the rules and contribute to its progress”, he said. The Mayor expressed his belief in the CoE’s mission to foster knowledge sharing and understanding among cities. He expressed his confidence that everyone who is a part of the programme will gain valuable insights from the discussions held during the event. He extended gratitude to Prof. Himanshu Rai for organizing the event and bringing all the administrators and policy makers together, for the insightful interactions would contribute to the city’s growth as well.

Chair – Executive Education, Prof. Subin Sudhir also welcomed the batch. He said, “We are delighted to inaugurate the first batch of ANVESHAN and equip our leaders with the necessary skills to drive positive change in waste management and hygiene standards”. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and cutting-edge learning experiences, ANVESHAN is poised to create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future, he added.

The first batch of ANVESHAN comprises 26 municipal commissioners and other senior officers. These esteemed officials represent 14 different states, including Gujarat, Sikkim, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Tripura. This prestigious inaugural batch of ANVESHAN showcases their dedication to advancing waste management and sanitation practices in their communities and regions. Over the course of the four-day programme, these leaders will have the opportunity to interact with distinguished faculty members from IIM Indore, experts from the partner universities, GIZ India, as well as officials from the other Municipal Corporations. The programme will also include visits to waste management plants to gain practical insights into waste-to-wealth transformations.

The programme offers a comprehensive learning experience covering various important topics. This includes waste management aspects such as Solid Waste Management, Centralised System for Solid Waste Management, Waste Water Management, Waste to Energy, and Waste to Bio-Methanation. In addition to waste management, the programme also includes sessions on Behavioural Change and Community Participation, highlighting the significance of human behavior in environmental initiatives. Moreover, participants will gain insights into Modern Technologies in Waste Collection Practice, which can enhance efficiency and sustainability. Other key topics include Leadership and Communication, Infrastructure Financing, Policy Landscape, Green Credits & Carbon Credits, and Public Private Partnerships. This diverse curriculum aims to equip attendees with a holistic understanding, empowering them to drive sustainable waste management and WASH initiatives in their respective regions. The interactions will foster knowledge exchange and empower participants to make a positive impact on sustainability, fostering a cleaner and greener future for all.

In a collaborative effort to maximize expertise at ANVESHAN, IIM Indore has partnered with five prestigious institutions, including the University of Denver, Rutgers University, the University of Glasgow, the University of Liverpool, and Bocconi University. This global synergy aims to enhance the Indore Swachhata Model and develop sustainable solutions for waste management.