PAN-IIT alumni foundation to host global e-conclave for a systemic response on nation re-building

According to the organisers, the 10 sessions, hosted by global distinguished IIT alumni with policymakers, business leaders and third sector leaders, will emphasize the integration of Samaj (Civil Society), Sarkar (Government) and Bazaar (Business & Industry) in rebuilding India’s economy in the post-COVID era. 

The opening session on 4th July will have an inaugural message by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, sent his inaugural message for the opening session.

According to the organisers, the e-Conclave will aim for a collaborative platform for a systemic response  to nation re-building in association by bringing together eminent institutions such as  IITs , IISc , TIFR on technological and bio technical projects facilitated by Principal Scientific Advisor’s office and socio-economic interventions undertaken by the Foundation’s own initiatives in public healthcare capacity building, delivery of migrant jobs, and rural livelihoods.

Hari Padmanabhan, Chairman of the Foundation said, “During these unprecedented times, as the country is striving to reboot and re-emerge from the shackles of multiple challenges, it is essential that we as IIT Alumni come together as a force to address the current crisis. We are witnessing a fundamental shift in how the Government is also approaching this pandemic – engaging with the society with comprehensive measures at multiple levels,  both in focusing on economic revival of sectors like Agriculture, MSME and Startups, Manufacturing, and Services, and in addressing challenges of the most vulnerable sections of society. Through the e-Conclave, we envision the establishment of a scalable model of collaborative approach, with active participation of Samaj, Sarkar and Bazar to achieve a sustainable revival of India’s economy in the post-COVID era.”

The opening session featured a talk by Prof. K VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, and a round table session of the Foundation with Hari Padmanabhan (Chairman), Dr. Mahesh Joshi (Chief Executive Officer, Apollo Home Healthcare) and Dr. Himani Pande (IAS; Secretary, Planning and Finance, Government of Jharkhand) in conversation with  Arjun Malhotra (Co-Founder, HCL Technologies).

Day two of the session will feature B V R Mohan Reddy (Executive Chairman, Cyient and Chairman, Board of IIT Hyderabad), Dr. Vijay M.S. Kumar (Associate Dean Open Learning, MIT) and Dr. Anil Kakodkar (Padma Vibhushan Awardee and ex-Director, BARC) in conversation with Ajit Rangnekar (DG, RICH, Hyderabad and Former Dean ISB) on “Re-building Higher Education”.

The second session on “Re-building Economy” will see participation from Chief Economic Advisor, GOI, Dr. Krishnamurthy V Subramanian and  Nachiket Mor (former National Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) in conversation with Neelkanth Mishra, Managing Director and Co-Head APAC, Credit Suisse . 

Sessions on the following weekends will include panels of chief ministers and other leaders of business, industry and the government discussing on rebuilding states as well as re-building skills and jobs, industry and agriculture.

PanIIT Alumni Reach for India Foundation is a not-for-profit which collaborates with government and business as stakeholders and works towards self-sustainable, job assured, loan funded, vocational skilling model enhancing the income and livelihood of the underprivileged.

The Foundation sets up 'Rural Skill Gurukuls' (short term skilling programs) and ‘Kaushal Colleges’ (two year residential programs) for  underprivileged & tribal youth  with 100 per cen assured placements and loan financing and has a Joint Venture with Government of Jharkhand. 

It is  now expanding its presence to other states such as Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.