ISB Leadership Summit 2024 Focuses on Leadership in New India

The Indian School of Business’ (ISB) Post Graduate Programme (PGP) class of 2025 today welcomed the Honorable Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar to the ISB Leadership Summit 2024 at its Mohali campus. His Excellency Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, and Dr Sudesh Dhankhar were present on the occasion.  The theme for this year’s edition was ‘Leadership in New India’.

In his keynote address, the Honorable Vice President of India, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, spoke passionately about the potential of India's youth, the country's growing influence on the global stage, and the role of technology in shaping India's future. He began by emphasizing the importance of India's youth, stating, "Our youth demographic dividend is the envy of the world at the moment. It is fuel to our growth engine destined to accomplish a developed nation by 2047. This rich human capital is the most significant stakeholder in governance and democracy."

Shri Dhankhar then turned his attention to the theme of the summit - Leadership in India's Century - which he believes holds significant relevance today. Reflecting on India's economic progress, the Vice President highlighted the country's transformation from a foreign exchange reserve of $1 billion when he was elected to parliament in 1989, to crossing $700 billion last week. He called this "an accomplishment beyond a geometric leap" and a testament to India's exponential economic upsurge.

Shri Dhankhar also underscored the critical role of technology in India's growth story. He pointed out how India's technological advancements and digitalization have been hailed by the World Bank as a global role model. He said, "Digital technologies have enabled massive public infrastructure projects benefiting millions of people with housing, health coverage, and small business loans annually. These accomplishments are testament to India's technological prowess and its potential to lead in the digital age."

The Vice President concluded by emphasizing India's transformative role in global affairs, stating, "India is being looked upon as a nation that can legitimately address issues confronting the world. We are no longer a nation with promise; the promise has been realized. We are a nation on the rise, and this rise is unstoppable, incremental, and continual."

In his address, Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Chairman of the Mohali Campus Advisory Board of ISB and Vice Chairman of Bharati Enterprises, emphasized the transformative role of technology in shaping India's future. He said, "I firmly believe that technology is an area where India is going to play a significant role in the coming decades. The Prime Minister's vision of Digital India and Digital First is resonating within business communities and academia alike." Mittal further highlighted three key sectors - artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and space - where he believes India has taken global leadership. "These are the sectors which are not just buzzwords but are reshaping our world. I see no reason why developed nations will not partner with India on each of these fronts," he added.

In his opening remarks, Madan Pillutla, Dean of the Indian School of Business (ISB), highlighted the importance of leadership in addressing global challenges. He said, "Leaders make a big difference in the world. In fact, the shortage of leadership in different parts of the world is what leads to a lot of different problems. At ISB, we are committed to nurturing leaders who can make a positive impact." 

The ISB Leadership Summit 2024 was a melting point to inspire and equip the next generation of leaders with the insights and tools needed to navigate the complexities of the 21st century.

Other dignitaries who shared their insights at the summit included Shri O. P. Choudhary, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Government of Chhattisgarh; Mr Sanjeev Sanyal, Member, Economic Advisory Council of the Prime Minister; Mr Mayank Kumar, Co-Founder and MD, upGrad and alumnus of ISB.