On April 4, 2026, the Vidyalankar Institute of Technology (VIT) Mumbai auditorium became a sanctuary of learning as the IIMA Alumni Association Mumbai Chapter hosted a landmark session of its Knowledge Series: “Management Lessons from the Bhagavad Gita.”
The event, which drew nearly 200 participants ranging from 18-year-old students to 80-year-old veterans, was organized in response to overwhelming demand from alumni seeking to share these transformative insights with their families and friends.
The Discourse: Strategy, Spirit, and Leadership
Prof. Sunil Maheshwari, whose decades-long study of the Gita was evident in every anecdote, mesmerized the audience by bridging the gap between 5,000-year-old shlokas and modern corporate challenges. Key takeaways from the session included:
- The Responsibility of the Role Model (Shloka 25): Leaders cannot abdicate. If the leader stops working, the team stops following. Leadership is about making the choices that set the right example.
- The Krishna-Arjuna Synergy: Success is the fusion of Strategy (Krishna) and Implementation (Arjuna). Krishna’s 13-year preparation for the war reminds us that when driving change, “losing is not an option.”
- Leading from the Heart: While a boss lives in the mind of a subordinate through power, a true leader lives in the heart of followers through compassion and spirituality.
- Cultural Excellence: Establishing a culture of righteousness (Dharma) requires a leader to amplify the excellence in others—becoming the “source” rather than just the supervisor.
A Collaborative Triumph
The session’s success was a testament to the “Pandava-like” coordination of the Mumbai Chapter’s leadership. Despite healthy differences in opinion that only sharpened the final execution.
The event was made possible through the benevolence of our sponsor, Zopper, whose support allowed for a grand scale of engagement.
Gratitude to our Partners
We extend our deepest thanks to Vidyalankar Institute of Technology for their generous hospitality. Specifically, we thank Prof. Dr. Amit Oak (an esteemed alumnus) and Prof. Dr. Jay Bhatt for facilitating the auditorium at such short notice.
Finally, our gratitude to the tireless volunteers whose dedication made the morning possible.
“Wherever there is Krishna (Vision) and Arjuna (Action), there will certainly be victory.” — Sanjaya’s Commentary
Photographer courtesy: Pratik Singhi.
