During the 10th anniversary celebrations of IIM Jammu, Governor Kavinder Gupta highlighted the crucial role of higher education in developing future leaders to drive the nation’s growth vision under Viksit Bharat. He commended the institution’s growth from an initial cohort of 56 students in 2016 to over 1,400 today, framing its expansion as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader mission to strengthen India’s higher education ecosystem.
The Governor emphasized that complex, contemporary challenges require breaking down single-discipline barriers, aligning his vision with the interdisciplinary and research-focused approach of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He noted that education must go beyond producing successful professionals to cultivating responsible, principled leaders who lead with strong human values and ethical integrity.
Addressing the rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and data technologies, Governor Gupta stated that technical knowledge alone will no longer be enough. Instead, human-centric qualities—such as creativity, curiosity, sound judgment, courage, and empathy—will define effective leadership in a tech-driven economy. He encouraged students to view their degrees as the starting point of a lifelong learning journey rather than the final destination.
Concluding his address, the Governor urged IIM Jammu to prioritize research on the specific development challenges facing Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and the wider Himalayan region. By designing tailored management and policy solutions for these areas, the institute can create sustainable models that can be adapted and replicated across other mountain regions in the country.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
