KSRM organised an alumni talk on 18.02.2022. Ms. Shanti Murmu and Ms. Aishwarya Jojo, Fellows,Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship (MGNF) were the speakers for the talk. MGNF is a Certificate Program in Public Policy and Management offered by IIMs, designed at the initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India (GoI) and implemented in collaboration with State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs). Both the alumnae are from 2018-20, MBA (RM) batch. Prior to that Ms. Jojo completed her B-Tech in Metallurgy and Material Science. After MBA (RM), she worked as a Young Professional with Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission where she was involved in monitoring and coordinating with the stakeholders of DDUGKY projects across Maharashtra. Ms. Murmu completed BSc in Chemistry from KISS University. After completion of MBA from KSRM she worked as a senior executive in the Social Initiatives Department of Cube Highways-a Singapore based company investing in the Infrastructure sector in India.

The alumnae shared how KIIT School of Rural Management shaped their careers through discipline, internships,rigorous course curriculum and the overall infrastructure. They elaborated about the guidance they got from the faculty members. Ms. Murmu and Ms. Jojo recollected their different experiences like taking part in cultural programs, choreographing dances and organizing guest talks at KSRM. The fellowship holders also explained the attendees about the MGNF program, structure and future prospects. Ms. Jojo and Ms. Murmu also shared their experiences of volunteering in “The Art of Giving”, an initiative started by
our founder sir and how giving back to the community is our duty and equally important.

KSRM organized 3^rd National Rural Management Conclave on 5^th February, 2022. The theme of the conclave was Inclusive Finance- An Enabler of SDGs and Civil Society Organisations in Advancement of SDGs. 

The Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker of the conclave was Shri Jagadananda, Standing Committee (CSO)Member of NITI Aayog, Mentor and Co-Founder of CYSD. He spoke about the drivers of change like universal basic income, localised economy, independent and confident youth. Shri Jagadanada also reinforced the important role of civil society in terms of facilitating, connecting and influencing.

The first panel members on Inclusive Finance- An Enabler of SDGs were Mr Vivek Tiwari, Vice Chairperson, Microfinance Institutions Network(MFIN), MD-Satya Microcapital Ltd.;  Mr Vineet Chattree, MD, Svatantra Micro Housing Finance, Director – Svatantra Microfin pvt ltd, Sr President Aditya Birla Group;  Mr Shirish Chandra Panda, Business Head, Microfinance, Tata Capital; Mr Ajit Kumar Sabat, Vice President- East & West, Muthoot Microfin Ltd. And; Mr Tharakeswar G, Cofounder & Head- Financial Services, D Vara E- Registry. The panel discuused about how financial inclusion is included either directly or indirectly in all the SDGs. They spoke about the major shifts in the microfinance sector, significance and the impact of the sector.  They also emphasized that the key areas are trust, touch and technology when it comes to micro finance. The panel members also shared about the learning opportunity in the sector for the students.

The  second panel members on Civil Society Organisations in Advancement of SDGs were Ms Subrataa Chakraborty, ILRG India Country Director, Tetra Tech ARD; Mr Liby Johnson, Executive Director, Gram Vikas; Mr Satyan Mishra, CEO, Drishtee; Mr Ravindra A, Director, WASSAN and; Mr Anish Kumar, Managing Director, Co-lead- Transforming Rural India Foundation. They spoke about the relevance of partnership with academia where the worldviews are actually built. However one of the biggest challenge in civil society is that the young are not interested in this space. The panel urged that it is the students, the youth who can be an agent of change and make a better world where people can live dignity and the society is equitable and just.