Ahmedabad, February 19, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) inaugurated the third edition of its ‘Leadership and Strategic Thinking’ program for visually impaired professionals. This unique three-day initiative, organized by IIMA’s Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS), in collaboration with the Blind People’s Association (BPA) and Dr. Lal Path Labs, aims to empower 30 professionals from diverse sectors such as IT, government, and banking with enhanced leadership and strategic thinking capabilities.
The inauguration ceremony featured key dignitaries, including 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 Path Labs; and Mr. Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of Blind People’s Association (BPA), Ahmedabad.
Program Goals and Objectives
The program’s central focus is to strengthen leadership skills and strategic thinking of visually impaired professionals, enabling them to take on senior roles in their organizations. Participants will engage in various leadership and management topics such as ‘Leader vs Manager,’ ‘Financial Decision-Making,’ ‘Managing Digital Transformation,’ ‘AI & Technology,’ and ‘Mindfulness & Emotional Stability.’ They will also hear motivational success stories from visually impaired leaders.
Professor Bharat Bhasker emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive society for people with disabilities and urged the participants to become agents of change, tackling sociocultural barriers faced by the visually impaired. He stated, “When the potential of any individual is not utilized, it is a loss for the world. We must build an environment where everyone feels empowered to take pride in society.”
Leadership Opportunities for Visually Impaired Professionals
Mr. Bhushan Punani highlighted the growing employment opportunities for visually impaired individuals, especially following the enactment of the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act in 2016. He also acknowledged the success of previous program participants who had risen to leadership positions in their fields. “This program plays a significant role in fostering leadership skills among visually impaired professionals, and we need more such leaders to break stereotypes,” he said.
Personal and Professional Growth for Participants
The participants, such as Ms. Heena Patel, a physiotherapist from Bhuj, Gujarat, and Mr. Dilip Chauhan, Vice Principal at Kendra Vidyalaya, Vadodara, expressed their enthusiasm for the program. Ms. Patel shared her goal of changing public perceptions about visually impaired individuals, while Mr. Chauhan looked forward to gaining leadership skills to handle workplace challenges and encourage society to consider the perspectives of visually impaired people.
Professor Rajesh Chandwani, the Faculty Chair of the program, noted that the training would provide participants with valuable management skills, helping them grow both personally and professionally. “The aim is to prepare participants for senior positions in their organizations while fostering self-growth,” he explained.
The third edition of the ‘Leadership and Strategic Thinking’ program is a significant step toward empowering visually impaired professionals to take on leadership roles, challenging societal norms, and contributing to a more inclusive and equal world.
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