IIMA Launches Leadership Program for Visually Impaired Individuals

The third edition of the program ‘Leadership and Strategic Thinking’, targeted towards empowering visually impaired persons, has been launched by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA). Organized by the Centre for Management of Health Services at IIMA along with the Blind People's Association (BPA) and Dr. Lal PathLabs, the focus of the program is on strengthening the leadership and strategic thinking skills.

The program opens with the ceremony, which has taken by important personalities, IIMA Director Professor Bharat Bhasker, Dean (Faculty) Professor Satish Deodhar, Faculty Chair Professor Rajesh Chandwani, CSR Head Rajesh Singh, and BPA General Secretary Bhushan Punani. This program, which spans three days for 30 participants from diverse areas such as IT, banking, and government, recognizes the skills necessary to help them move toward senior-level positions.

While addressing the participants, Professor Bhasker underlined the need for inclusiveness and urged them to stand for the rights of persons with disabilities. He said, " Every single person has the potential to do great things," emphasizing that an environment that encourages everybody to do so must be created.

Bhushan Punani praised IIMA for committing itself to the program, observing that the Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act had increased employment for persons with disabilities.  “This program is a major step forward toward fostering leadership in the area of vision impairment," he said, urging for more such initiatives to break through stereotypical notions of society.

The curriculum includes sessions on leadership versus management, financial decision-making, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and mindfulness. Also, hearing success stories of such visually impaired professionals who have excelled in their respective fields to motivate and inspire themselves.

Professor Chandwani placed before the gathering the specific objectives of the program, imparting vital management functions, focused on personal development. He stated that their aim is to prepare them for leadership roles by enhancement of ability with regard to certain skills.

Through leadership and strategic thinking, ICA has empowered blind professionals to break the barriers and take the leadership of society.