The IIM Indore community was pleased to host Ms Aditi Garg, Additional Collector, for a guest talk on the Government sector, and live projects related to the same, through which students could contribute to actual development and change. The talk was conducted on March 09, 2019. The Students Affairs Council Coordinator, Abhijith Menon introduced the speakers. This was followed by a welcome note by the Director, IIM Indore, Professor Himanshu Rai, who spoke about the potential synergy between IIM Indore and the administration of Madhya Pradesh This was yet another step by the Institute to do more for the state, he said.
This was then followed by the talk by Ms. Garg, who talked about the multiple ways in which the engagement between the Institute and the government can take place. Her talk provided insights on areas like the social contract theory of the Government and the paternalistic role that is attached with the same. The Government, in its most basic role, aims to provide institutions to its citizens and provides capabilities to the society to access and utilize those institutions to the fullest. The talk focused on changes made by the Government in sectors like education through schemes like midday meals, compulsory teacher attendance, etc. and remarked on the long way we’ve come. However, it was also noted that despite all the positive changes that have taken place, there is still a long way to go for a more holistic development of the society at large. Ms. Garg focused on the fact as to how we as aware citizens can contribute to the society by helping the Government sector, through altruistic endowments, through political interest, and through contribution in terms of small policy decisions through projects extended by the Government. The Government as well as the corporate sector needs to work in tandem for the society to progress.
The stage was then taken over by Mr. Anshul Gupta, who spoke on the importance of having a society that is involved in the day to day workings of the Government. He also talked about various opportunities for development of the areas close to Indore and Mhow, and the tremendous scope for development of the tourism industry in those places. The insightful talk was concluded with a highly interactive Q&A session where students raised imperative questions about existing policies and how can changes be brought about.