25th Convocation at IILM for the Batch of 2020 held virtually on October 10

New Delhi: The 25th Convocation at IILM for the Batch of 2020 held virtually on October 10, 2020, for all its three campuses located at Lodhi Road, New Delhi; Gurugram and Greater Noida, was an event replete with the spirit of determination for successfully overcoming challenges of the past months and a new hope for a brighter tomorrow.

The event held simultaneously at the three campuses, conferred degree upon 426 students from all the three campuses followed by awarding of the Certificates of Merit for all areas of specialization to meritorious students. Students were also awarded Dr Kulwant Rai Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for Excellence in Academics and for Excellence in Academics and Co-curricular activities. Dr Sujata Shahi, Vice-Chancellor, IILM University captured the essence and philosophy that IILM believes in imparting to the outgoing batch of students when she said, “Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today; this is the ideology we, at IILM, have tried to inculcate in you. This ideology will help you to face all situations including the current unprecedented circumstances. May these unique circumstances give you resilience and inspire you to make the world a better place when you go back into it.”

The second part of the convocation had all the three campuses joining the event where Dr Kulwant Rai Gold Medals were awarded to two students for Overall Academic Excellence and Overall Academic and Co-curricular Excellence across the three campuses. IILM also felicitated its alumnus Mr Harbinder Narula of 1996 batch who is now a Personal Brand & Digital Strategist. Mr Narula has worked with brands such as Google, Aryty Inc. before starting his own venture in 2011 that provides creative solutions for ‘Wholistic & Conscious Personal Branding’.

Mr Narula spoke about his journey at IILM and professional journey after IILM and said, “Besides a post-graduation degree, the most important things that I received from IILM was self-confidence and the foundation of strong relationships that we now call networking.” He told the students about the lessons he had learnt during his professional journey that included passion for ones work; interacting with people who have a positive influence; treating tough decisions in challenging times as choices; treating problems as opportunity; and to have confidence in oneself and in one’s dreams.

The Chief Guest of the Convocation was Dr Bajrang Lal Gupta, Kshetra Sanghchalak, Uttar Kshetra (North Zone) and Member of Akhil Bhartiya Karyakarini of R.S.S. He is also Member of the Central team of S.J.M., Akhil Bhartiya Grahak Panchayat, PRAJNA PRAVAH, and Sahkar Bharati. A Masters in Economi-cs and a Doctorate, Dr Gupta has 38 years of experience in teaching and was a Reader in Economics, S.S.N. College, Delhi University. He has also written about 20 college level text-books on Economics and other subjects as well as articles in various journals and magazines.

Dr. Bajranj Lal Gupta gave an inspirational and informative speech to the outgoing students about the Concept of Development in India. He spoke about how it is important to rethink the Development Model of India in terms of GDP, Consumption patterns, Standard of Living, Production, Technology and Globalization and think about whether the model is solving the specific problems that ail our country or is it just aping the developed countries. He said, “GDP is a misnomer in the Indian context as it does not include services which are not chargeable, while they are being charged in western countries.”

Dr Gupta suggested in Indian model of “Sumangalam” as a model for Development in India, a model that includes – guarantee of minimum requirement to all citizens; provides health for all in term of preventive health through “aahaar, vihara and vyavahaar”(food, fitness and behaviour) and curative health through an integrated holistic health system that focuses not just on allopathic medicine but also on alternative medicine such as Homeopathic, Ayurvedic etc; equal opportunity for all in terms of education and the concept of socially useful education; employment for all through employment-led economy instead of growth-led economy and internal and external security for all.

Dr Bajrang Lal Gupta said. “The 5-Es Combination – Ethics, Economy, Ecology, Energy and Employment – as the concept of Indian Growth Model will result in a nourishing economy, sustainable technology and a value and culture based social structure.”

Dr Gupta congratulated the graduating students of IILM and wished them all success in life.

The Convocation for the IILM batch of 2020 was a landmark event, an occasion to celebrate the achievements of students and the resilience of the teachers as they together ensured that they could beat all odds that the year 2020 had brought in its wake. As Dr. P.Malarvizhi, Director, IGSM, Greater Noida said to the Graduating Class of 2020, “You pioneer the new normal, for posterity …You found opportunities, rather than obstacles in the global pandemic…You zoomed your presence naturally and adapted it as a way of life! I am optimistic that you will reimagine the post-pandemic world.”

The students were proud albeit somewhat disappointed at having missed the excitements of a ‘real’ Convocation with gowns, tossing of caps, group photos and the excitement of being together physically… but life is about successfully adapting and adopting to changes to continue ones journey. Dr Kakoli Sen, Director of IILM Institute for Higher Education, advised the students and said “As Management graduates, you have the potential to make a deep impact as the next generation of business leaders. My advice to you is to keep learning, be open, be resolute and disciplined in life, be responsible, sensitive and always take people along.”

The IILM Convocation 2020 is symbolic of optimism, resilience and moving forward with courage towards new experiences.