S. Vishnu Sharma
IIM Lucknow hosted ‘Sanrakshan 2024’ its flagship Business Sustainability Conclave from 24 to 25 August 2024.
The two-day conclave, centered around the theme “Building Resilient Businesses through Sustainability.”
It brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and academics to address the critical challenges and opportunities in sustainable business practices, say sources from IIM Lucknow.
Chief Guest
The chief guest for the flagship event of IIM Lucknow was Mr Ansuman Patnaik, Director General, Competition Commission of India.
Joint Organization
Organized jointly by IIM Lucknow’s PGP-Sustainable Management and the Centre for Business Sustainability, the conclave began with inaugural addresses from Prof. Dipti Gupta, Chairperson, PGP-Sustainable Management, and Prof. Kaushik Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, Chairperson, Centre for Business Sustainability.
Both highlighted the increasing importance of integrating sustainability into core business strategies.
Crucial Role
Prof. Ajay Singh, Dean, IIM Lucknow Noida Campus, emphasized the crucial role that sustainability plays in fostering innovation and creating a competitive edge in today’s business environment.
He highlighted how sustainable practices are not just about meeting regulatory requirements or addressing environmental concerns, but are increasingly becoming a key driver of innovation, said Prof Ajay of IIM Lucknow.
Chief Guest Speech
Mr. Ansuman Patnaik delivered a thought-provoking keynote on sustainable development.
He emphasized the critical importance of responsible resource management, highlighting how judicious use of resources is key to ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.
Platform
The conclave offered a dynamic platform for exploring the intersection of sustainability and business resilience, say sources from IIM Lucknow.
It featured thought-provoking discussions and innovative solutions across various pressing topics, including green financing, renewable energy, sustainability measurement and reporting, resilient supply chains, climate change mitigation, net-zero targets, and inclusivity in sustainable practices, say sources from IIM Lucknow.
Keynote Address
During her keynote address, Ms. Shilpy Kochhar, Head of Strategic Partnerships, BIRAC, addressed the audience, highlighting the organization’s pioneering efforts in advancing sustainable biotech solutions.
She emphasized BIRAC’s commitment to fostering innovation in biotechnology, particularly through initiatives like Global Bio India, which serves as a platform to showcase cutting-edge biotech advancements.
Panel Discussion
Sanrakshan 2024 also featured a series of insightful panel discussions with top industry leaders:
· The Future of Renewable Energy in India: Challenges in Integration with the Grid & Energy Storage Solutions
– Mr. Sandeep Chaterjee, Supply Chain & Sustainability Leader, IBM India
– Mr. Manish Dabkara, CEO, Enking International
– Mr. Vikash Kumar, Manager, NTPC
– Mr. Anjan Das. EY GDS (Moderator)
· Measuring & Reporting Sustainability: Standardizing sustainability reporting framework
– Mr. Pramod Pandey, Global ESH Leader, Philips India
– Ms. Sheetal Sharad, Chief Ratings Officer, ICRA, India
– Mr. Gaurish Wagh, M&G Associates
– Mr. Remant Tiwary, Director, Delloitte
– Ms. Richa Ahuja, TBC
· Financing the Sustainable Future, Exploring innovative financing mechanisms
– Mr. Aadil Chittalwala, Peak Ventures
– Mr. Sagar Asapur, Climate Risk Horizon
– Ms. Shilpy Kochar, BIRAC
– Mr. Sanjeet Ghosh, Accenture (Moderator)
· Sustainable Supply chain and Resource Management: Building resilient supply chains
– Dr Pankaj Sharma, Addl Director, PPAC
– Mr. Abhinav Kaushal, Zero Carbon One
– Mr. Baliram Mutagekar, BNY Mellon
– Mr. Gaurav Sahni. Regional Head, A P Moller Maersk
– Mr. Chandra Bhushan Singh, PwC India (Moderator)
· Closing the Loop: Practical applications of circular economy principles
– Mr. Pranay Kumar, Founder and CSO, Green work
– Mr. Priyadarshan, WRI, TBC
– Mr. Aalok Deshmukh, SuperHuman race, TBC
– Ms. Priyanshi Kawdia, Accenture (Moderator)
Conclusion
Sanrakshan 2024 concluded with a keynote address by Mr. D.M.R. Panda, General Manager – Hydrogen/QA/P&S, Renewable Energy at NTPC Limited, say sources from IIM Lucknow.
His talk, titled “India’s Green Growth Engine: Policy and Innovations for a Sustainable Future,” highlighted the importance of innovative policies and renewable energy in driving sustainable development.
Startup Mela
A key highlight of the conclave was the ‘Startup Mela,’ where entrepreneurs and innovators presented cutting-edge solutions in sustainable innovation.
These startups, at the forefront of sustainability, showcased groundbreaking technologies and approaches poised to redefine the future of business.
Competitions
The event also hosted a variety of competitions, including BizzQuiz, Samadhaan, Thrive, Harit Vit, and Harit Apoorti, providing platforms for students and entrepreneurs to present innovative sustainability solutions.
In addition to these competitions, the event featured multiple cultural and artistic performances, including a unique presentation titled “Prana Prakriti: Sustainability Spirit Through Art,” which conveyed the essence of sustainability through classical dance.
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Furthermore, a sustainable fashion show highlighted IIM Lucknow‘s commitment to promoting sustainability across various sectors.