IIM Ahmedabad Organises Leadership Programme For Visually Impaired Professionals

HYDERABAD: The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) has launched the ‘Leadership and Strategic Thinking’ programme for professionals with visual impairment for the third time.

This three-day programme was organised by IIMA’s Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS), in association with the Blind People’s Association and Dr. Lal Path Labs.

In total 30 blind professionals from the diverse fields of IT, government, and banking, participated in the programme to improve their leadership and strategic thinking skills.

The ceremony was graced by Professor Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIMA; Professor Satish Deodhar, Dean (Faculty) at IIMA; Professor Rajesh Chandwani, Faculty Chair for the program; Mr. Rajesh Singh, Head-CSR at Dr Lal PathLabs; and Mr. Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of Blind People’s Association (BPA), Ahmedabad.

Professor Bharat Bhasker spoke about the need for a more integrated society that caters to all, including people with sight disabilities. “Every single person has the potential to do great things, and when such potential is not utilised, it is a tragedy for the entire world. Our focus needs to be on creating an environment which ensures that every individual feels that they can take pride in society and encourage others to do so too,” he said.

Furthering its efforts to empower visually impaired individuals, IIMA is hosting the third edition of ‘Leadership and Strategic Thinking’ programme with the aim to equip 30 working professionals with management lessons and #LeadershipSkills to help them advance in their careers. pic.twitter.com/7fzMH13LHq

— IIM Ahmedabad (@IIMAhmedabad) February 17, 2025

Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of the Blind People’s Association, pointed out the various employment opportunities that came with the enactment of the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act in 2016.

“This programme is a major step forward towards fostering leadership in the area of vision impairment. More individuals like these need to show the society that these people are as competent, willing, and capable as anyone else.”

The programme comprised sessions related to leadership and management including ‘Leader vs Manager,’ ‘Financial Decision-Making,’ ‘Managing Digital Transformation’, ‘AI & Technology,’ and ‘Mindfulness & Emotional Stability.’

“The focus of the programme is to ensure participants have a greater appreciation of the various functions management entails, as well as self-growth, thus enabling them to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills that will assist them to qualify for senior level positions in their organisations,” Professor Rajesh Chandwani, Faculty Chair of the programe said.