Mahatma Gandhi had talked about and practiced honesty, integrity and working and living life for a purpose. He talked about fairness in our dealings and he talked about working for a nation’s well being. He talked about thinking out of the box to solve problems. His noncooperation movement was something which the world never knew about before he did. He talked about peaceful co-existence and magnanimity.
To teach students and youngsters how Gandhian Philosophy is very much relevant today in everyday life as well as in business, IIPM Ahmedabad organized a panel discussion involving reputed Gandhians, Philosophers and business leaders of Ahmedabad. The panelists were Dr Sudarshan Iyenger, Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Vidyapeeth; Mr. Piyush Desai, Chairman, Wagh Bakri group of companies; and Mr. Sunil Parekh, CRISIL Advisor, Zydus Cadila.
How many of us really understand the many things which Mahatma Gandhi said and followed in his life? Do we believe these are applicable and practical today and would be useful even after a hundred years?
Dr. Sudarshan Iyenger talked about how tomorrow’s leaders could learn a lot about leadership from Bapu’s life. He said Bapu’s call for business to contribute to social development was as relevant today as it was during his time. Mr. Piyush Desai echoed Dr. Iyenger’s thoughts and narrated how his organization integrated Mahatma Gandhi’s values in doing day-to-day business. He said that philanthropy had to be inclusive in business strategies. Mr. Sunil Parekh shared various incidents from Mahatma Gandhi’s life and explained how he incorporated
fundamental human values in politics and thereby moved the mighty British rule. He stated that over the years, many management thinkers had actually echoed Mahatma’s thoughts in guiding successful companies all over the world. The panel discussion added immense value to one’s life and in doing or managing business.
