XLRI in association with PEACE -- a student group responsible for promoting sustainable and environmental conservation practices -- is set to host the first sustainability and ethics themed debate, Fr. McGrath Memorial Debate, on Sunday virtually.

The debate has been named after Fr. Edward Hugh McGrath, one of the founding fathers of XLRI, who passed away in the year 2017.

The theme for the competition, an initiative of the batch of 1985-87, is ‘Be a responsible leader for a greater good’.

The debate will provide a platform to future leaders to showcase awareness and leadership prowess to the masters-of-business across industries.

It will also provide an opportunity to learn from industry leading CXOs ( chief experience officers ) and imbibe the greatness of sustainable leadership.

With the best talent picked from across 14 colleges across the country, the top 16 teams would be seen competing in the semi-finals round.

From this pool, four winning teams would compete in the final adjudicated by industry stalwarts and previous debaters from XLRI batch of 1985-87 and professors in the field of business ethics and sustainability.

C K Venkataraman, managing director of Titan Limited will grace the event as the keynote speaker, who will address young leaders, highlighting the importance of responsible leadership in business.

Venkataraman, a postgraduate diploma holder in management from IIM-Ahmedabad, joined Titan Company Limited in 1990.

After multiple stints, he took charge of the jewellery division in 2005 and held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jewellery till September 30, 2019.

Subsequently, he assumed office as managing director of the company from October 1, 2019.

"In the light of short-term orientation and intense competition, ethics and sustainability often take a backseat. In order to expose young leaders and youth to ethics and sustainability aspects of the business, XLRI is organising the debate, " said a member of PEACE.