PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Dec 28: IIM Ranchi’s The Young Changemakers Programme (YCP) 3.0 concluded with a thought-provoking valedictory ceremony on Friday.
The event celebrated the spirit of innovation, leadership, and social impact that defines the programme’s ethos.
The ceremony commenced with the presence of chief guest, Nitin Kulkarni, principal secretary, Government of Jharkhand.
His presence, along with Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Director of IIM Ranchi, faculty, YCP alumni, and participants, elevated the occasion.
Presentations from top teams
The event proceeded with presentations from the top-performing teams, showcasing innovative solutions to address the challenges faced by the residents of the village Rasabeda.
The teams impressed the audience with their creativity and empathy, presenting ideas such as bridging the urban-rural divide, addressing menstrual health and maternal care, and sustainable innovations like crafting beds from agricultural husks.
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Reflections and insights from IIM Ranchi Director
Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava expressed gratitude to the guest Nitin Kulkarni, Mangesh Jha, the participants, and the YCP alumni for their invaluable contributions. Reflecting on the programme’s journey, he emphasized the core values that set IIM Ranchi apart—“responsible education” and “relevant education.”
He highlighted the importance of international exposure, experiential learning, and the courage to thrive in discomfort, underscoring the belief that “change starts with you, no matter how seemingly small it may be.”
Address by Chief Guest Nitin Kulkarni
The chief guest, Nitin Kulkarni, addressed the gathering, sharing his experience of interacting with participants during the Impact Initiator phase.
He praised the open-minded and spirited youth who are questioning societal systems to pioneer change.
Emphasizing the importance of empowering communities, he remarked on the need for resource management to address diverse problems, particularly the connectivity issues in Rasabeda.
He concluded with invaluable advice: “Learn. Unlearn. Relearn.”, stressing the necessity of adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological world.
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Team Polaris named winner
Team Polaris was announced as the winner, with its members felicitated as programme laureates for their exemplary solutions.
The ceremony concluded with Kulkarni adding his handprint to the ‘Social Canvas’, a YCP legacy symbolizing equality, unity, and creativity.
The event culminated with a vote of thanks by Prof. Gaurav Marathe, chairperson of SEDC, and a major force behind the programme, who lauded the students’ spark that promises to ignite real-world change.