Prabodhan – The HR and Business Conclave Held at IIM Indore

Prabodhan featured two distinguished chief guests who shared valuable insights on sustainability. On the first day, Chief Guest Mr. Harjeet Khanduja, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Reliance Jio, focused on the critical role of circular economies in driving sustainable growth. He highlighted practical strategies for extending product life and conserving resources. Mr. Khanduja introduced the concept of Circular HR, emphasizing responsible hiring, bias mitigation, collaboration, employee wellness, and reskilling. His insights underscored the necessity for organizations to foster a resilient workforce aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) objectives.

Mr. Siddharth Sethi, Co-founder of InfoBeans, was the Chief Guest on the second day. He discussed the importance of sustainability and ethical business practices. He stressed the need to address social inequalities and adopt sustainable habits like reusing resources. Passionately advocating for the ‘S’ in ESG, Mr. Sethi urged the audience to prioritize social impact in their strategies. He also shared how InfoBeans has integrated sustainability into its CSR initiatives. Concluding with three key principles for entrepreneurs—Think Big, Think Beyond Yourself, and Believe in Yourself—he inspired attendees to leverage their ventures for positive societal change.

The event also featured two special keynote addresses. Ms. Ranjani Mani, Director and Country Head for Generative AI at Microsoft India and South Asia, discussed the role of generative AI in enhancing the circular economy. She emphasized the importance of aligning technological advancements with sustainability goals to drive positive environmental impact.

 Mr. Sandip Adani, Senior Vice President and Head (Techno-Commercial) at Adani Total Gas, highlighted the historical context of ESG and the significance of carbon footprints. He addressed social considerations such as fair labor practices and diversity, along with governance aspects like ethical business practices. Mr. Adani shared how Adani Total Gas implements best practices, including eliminating plastics in logistics. He concluded by stressing the role of supply chain leaders in driving ESG improvements and building sustainable, resilient operations.

Additionally, Prof. Saumya Ranjan Dash, Dean – Research, highlighted the importance of ESG 2.0 in modern business practices. He emphasized the need for organizations to integrate environmental, social, and governance principles into their core strategies. Prof. Dash discussed the significance of cultivating green talent and adopting effective communication strategies to promote sustainability. He urged businesses to view sustainability not just as an obligation but as a strategic advantage that can drive long-term growth and innovation. By prioritizing these elements, organizations can enhance their competitiveness while contributing positively to society and the environment.

Furthermore, IIM Indore’s Chief Officer: Administration, Col. (Dr.) Gururaj Gopinath Pamidi (Veteran) outlined various practices implemented on campus., such as the institute being a plastic-free zone, its efforts in biodiversity conservation, the promotion of green spaces, regular monitoring of the Air Quality Index, and the use of solar-powered installations and electric buggies for intra-campus travel. He detailed the waste management and reuse techniques adopted by the institute, along with its focus on ethical consumption.

The event featured three panel discussions and one round table discussion. The first one was the Women CHRO Panel Discussion on “Integrating ESG and HR”. The panel included Ms. Neha Ahluwalia, CHRO – India and South Asia Region, Hitachi Energy Limited; Ms. Pooja Minocha, Vice President Human Resources and CHRO, Bata India Limited; and Ms. Yogita Sharma, CHRO, A2Global Consulting Private Limited. The session was moderated by Prof. Kajari Mukherjee and Prof. Shruti Tewari from IIM Indore. The panelists discussed key initiatives for integrating ESG into HR practices, emphasizing the empowerment of underprivileged women and the importance of 360-degree diversity in organizations. They highlighted small yet impactful strategies like Q-commerce and green skills to achieve ESG goals. The conversation also focused on the significance of Circular HR and raising awareness for effective ESG integration in the workforce.

The IT-HR Panel Discussion on “Creating Strong Employer Branding Through Sustainability – A Must for Hiring Gen Z Employees” featured Mr. Ankur Poddar (Head HR, Lenovo), Mr. Jitender Panihar (CHRO, Fitelo), and Mr. Pavan Kumar (Senior Director, Eightfold AI), moderated by Prof. Ranjeet Nambudiri, Dean (Faculty), IIM Indore. The panelists explored the evolving generational needs and the importance of impact investing in aligning HR with sustainable business models. They discussed the significant influence of digitalization on Gen-Z, including strategies for managing e-waste through AI. Additionally, the conversation emphasized leveraging AI to create profitable yet sustainable business models.

The third panel was focused on “Balancing Act: Navigating ESG Challenges in Energy and Manufacturing,” moderated by Prof. Saurabh Chandra of IIM Indore. The panel included industry leaders Mr. Prashanth Doreswamy, President & CEO of Continental India; Ms. Meghana Pandit, Chief Investment Officer of IndiGrid; and Dr. Shridevi Bale, MD and Resources and Energy Lead at Accenture Technologies. The discussion focused on crucial topics such as green electricity, green initiatives to achieve ESG goals, and responsible value chains in the context of Industry 4.0. The panelists also provided insights on how students can prepare for roles related to ESG, emphasizing the importance of innovation in the energy and manufacturing sectors.

A Round Table Discussion on “Role of Technology in Powering ESG 2.0,” moderated by Prof. Rajhans Mishra of IIM Indore. The panel included Dr. Ramesh Darbha, GM – Country Head (India) and Global Partner Services at Backbase, and Mr. Vignesh Kumar, a Strategic Leader in AI adoption at Enterprise. The discussion centered on the integration of technology in promoting sustainability and its critical role in advancing ESG initiatives and the circular economy. The speakers emphasized the importance of utilizing technology judiciously to minimize environmental impact, advocating for a sustainable approach that measures the effectiveness of ESG practices. They highlighted the concept of the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—underscoring the need for organizations to adopt Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to enhance their ESG outcomes. This insightful dialogue provided valuable perspectives on leveraging technology to foster sustainable business practices.

As the two-day event concluded, Prof. Jatin Pandey, Chair – EPGP, IIM Indore, thanked the dignitaries and shared insights on the diverse profiles of the EPGP participants. He highlighted that the cohort comprises professionals from varied backgrounds, including CAs, lawyers, doctors, and consultants. Prof. Pandey underscored the uniqueness of the programme’s curriculum, which offers a blend of electives designed to hone participants’ knowledge and skills, cultivating leaders with robust professional habits.