IIM Ranchi gets Centre of Happiness on 13th Foundation Day

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ranchi inaugurated a library and a Rekhi Centre of Excellence for Science of Happiness on its permanent campus in the Jharkhand capital on December 15 to mark the B-school’s 13th Foundation Day.

Speaking at the Foundation Day ceremony, the director of IIM Ranchi, Shailendra Singh, recalled the institute’s journey since its formation back in 2009.

“IIM Ranchi began with 77 students and a single MBA course. We now have seven courses and over 1,000 students. Our students are making an impression all around the world. We had only two faculty members with us when we started in 2009, and we currently have 55 faculty members,” said Singh.

The institution, Singh said, has been actively associated with the Unnat Bharath Abhiyaan, under which students are encouraged to solve problems of backward and poverty-stricken people of rural Jharkhand.

“It is one of the largest community empowerment initiatives. We also have the Birsa Munda Tribal Affairs Centre, which promotes local entrepreneurship. One notable project is the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Centre for Leadership, Policy, and Governance, under which we are doing many research projects and impactful activities for the betterment of the society and the nation,” said Singh.

Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais, the chief guest for the programme, released a book titled 10 Years of Excellence, which contains the recollections of the institute's first 10 years.

“IIM Ranchi has become one of India's best management institutes. It is a matter of pride for the state to have such a reputed educational institution. I am pleased that the Institute is pursuing new initiatives to uplift tribals and the impoverished,” said Bais.

IIM Ranchi's NIRF rankings have risen steadily through the years, making it one of the best places for management studies, said the B-school’s chairperson Praveen Shankar Pandya. He praised the Jharkhand government for helping him advance this institution.

“Ranchi is surrounded by tribal belts and societies and we are not only looking forward to improving livelihoods, but also revolutionising transformation in Jharkhand,” Pandya said.

Speaking about the Centre of Excellence for the Science of Happiness, Satinder Singh Rekhi, the founder of Rekhi Centre of Happiness, said, “We require it because happiness is true success, the ultimate currency, and life's meaning.”