IIM Indore concludes 8th Batch of Leadership Excellence Programme for Municipal Leaders

IIM Indore ANVESHAN is designed to build capacity among senior municipal officials, saw participation from leaders across ten states and one Union Territory. The programme focused on key aspects of sustainable urban governance and waste management, aligning with national priorities like the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore) successfully concluded the eighth batch of its Leadership Excellence Programme for "ANVESHAN" (Centre of Excellence). This four-day programme, designed to build capacity among senior municipal officials, saw participation from leaders across ten states and one Union Territory. The programme focused on key aspects of sustainable urban governance and waste management, aligning with national priorities like the Swachh Bharat Mission.

The programme commenced with a warm welcome from Professor Himanshu Rai, Director of IIM Indore. In his inaugural address, Professor Rai emphasized the institute’s commitment to nation-building through transformative education. He expressed pride in Indore being the cleanest city in India and highlighted the role of ANVESHAN in bridging academic research with practical solutions for waste management.

Professor Rai encouraged participants to take on leadership roles in reshaping urban India. He stated, “Leadership is not just about managing change, but about inspiring it. Through knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, we have the power to transform our cities and build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.” His remarks underlined the importance of integrating knowledge with action, strategy with compassion, and innovation with sustainability.

Digital Transformation in Public Governance

Professor Prashant Salwan, Dean-Programmes at IIM Indore, spoke about the transformative power of digital technologies in public sector governance. He highlighted the evolving role of technology in reshaping service delivery, stating that these changes require institutional and organizational adjustments. “Public value theory is pivotal in guiding this transformation,” said Professor Salwan. He stressed the need for public administration to go beyond administrative efficiency and focus on fulfilling societal goals.

Programme Evolution and Collaborative Learning

Reflecting on the evolution of the Leadership Excellence Programme, Professor Shruti Tewari, Programme Coordinator, noted the importance of peer learning. She emphasized the role of ANVESHAN in strengthening the Clean India initiative, helping municipal leaders tackle the unique challenges faced by their respective cities. The programme provided a platform for participants to learn from one another and identify solutions tailored to their local contexts.

Comprehensive Curriculum and Practical Exposure

The four-day programme featured a dynamic mix of classroom sessions, field visits, and interactive discussions, aimed at equipping municipal leaders with practical strategies for sustainable urban development. As part of the programme, participants also engaged in daily Yoga sessions to foster both physical and mental well-being.

A key component of the programme was the exposure visit to the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), a national leader in waste management. Participants witnessed firsthand the innovative practices and community-driven initiatives that have earned Indore the title of India’s cleanest city. They had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Shivam Verma, IMC Commissioner, who shared insights on Indore’s journey toward building a sustainable waste management ecosystem.

Expert-Led Sessions on Waste Management and Sustainability

The programme featured several expert-led sessions, including:

• Integrated Solid Waste Management by Professor Amit Kumar Vatsa, IIM Indore.
• "My City Perspective: Strength Analysis Activity" led by Professor Shruti Tewari, IIM Indore.
• Public Procurement and Contract Management by Professor Bhavin Shah, IIM Indore, and Dr. Himanshu Chaturvedi, KPMG.
• Optimizing Dry Waste Management by Shri J.B. Ravinder, Joint Advisor (Retd.), MoHUA, and Ms. Divya Sinha, CPCB.
• Renewable Energy and Biogas Models by Professor Gangagni Rao, CSIR IICT, Hyderabad.
• SLF and Legacy Waste Remediation by Shri Harendra Narayan, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Bhopal.

Additional sessions on climate change and circular economy practices were led by Mr. Jai Kumar, Senior Advisor (Climate Change and Circular Economy), GIZ, and Shri Akshay Kumar Rout, Former Director General of SBM & Senior Advisor, SUWASI.

Roadmap to SBM 2.0: A Unified Vision for Clean Cities

The programme concluded with a panel discussion on the roadmap to Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, moderated by Professor Shruti Tewari. In her closing remarks, Professor Tewari emphasized the importance of a unified vision for scaling up the efforts of SBM 2.0. She urged participants to leverage the knowledge gained from the programme and create actionable plans for their cities.

The Leadership Excellence Programme under ANVESHAN continues to serve as a vital platform for capacity building. By empowering municipal leaders with the tools and knowledge to create cleaner, greener, and more inclusive urban futures, IIM Indore is playing a pivotal role in shaping the sustainable cities of tomorrow.

This successful completion of the eighth batch marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s urban governance and solidifying IIM Indore’s commitment to supporting national initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission.

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