The information sessions held back then were common across the entire student body and all of us participated with gusto. Almost four months down the line, as people have gotten used to the rigour and to life here, our interests and inclinations have diversified and it is becoming increasingly tough to cater to every demographic on campus.

However, on the evening of 26th July, when ISB commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Indian Army’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict by celebrating Vijay Diwas, the auditorium was packed. In this event, organized by the ISB Senior Executive Club, we played host to thirty officers from the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force who were headed by Rear Admiral Batra, VSM, Commandant of the College of Defene Management (CDM).

Lt.General Aiyyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, who is an expert in defence strategy was the speaker that evening, and he presented a talk on an introduction to the Indian Army and on leadership in the armed forces. One of the many things impressive and inspiring about his talk was the way in which he began, adhering to protocol by addressing each and every relevant group of people present (in the right order) and then going forth with his talk.

His talk was preceeded by a short film screening that showcased the valour of the Indian soldiers as they navigated through rough terrain in unforgiving weather to restore back to us what the enemy had taken away, and showed us how they had, in the process, given their lives up in battle.

He once again laid forth the motto of the Indian Armed Forces:

“We owe our troops the opportunity to serve in the best-planned, best-equipped, and best-led military force in the world, and we owe them the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they and their families will be taken care of if they sacrifice life, limb or the ability to sleep without war’s nightmares. We owe them not just thanks and best wishes, but action, and action in our nation.”

“We owe our troops the opportunity to serve in the best-planned, best-equipped, and best-led military force in the world, and we owe them the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they and their families will be taken care of if they sacrifice life, limb or the ability to sleep without war’s nightmares. We owe them not just thanks and best wishes, but action, and action in our nation.”

It is exactly ten years since the fighting ceased on July 26th 1999 in the Kargil. To commemorate the brave souls that held the Indian Flag proud and honor their supreme sacrifice, the students of the Indian School of Business are celebrating the tenth year anniversary of the Kargil Diwas on the 26th July, 2009.

The ISB will play host to an elite delegation of around thirty of the finest officers of the Indian Army, Navy and Airforce. These are the people who have the capability to motivate men to make the ultimate sacrifice and who don’t think twice before making moves that place the concern of the nation before their own selves or of their families.

The Commandant of the College of Defense Management (CDM), Rear Admiral Batra VSM, will lead this delegation. In his words, “We need the finest brains of the corporate world to join hands with us in the nation building process”.

Other noted personalities include Lt.General Aiyyengar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, who is an expert in defense strategy. He would talk to the students about the leadership challenges during Kargil war, the nature of national defense strategies and its geopolitical impact. He will also touch upon how management is executed in armed forces. According to the Dean Ajit Rangnekar, “I always wanted to do something like this. Our students will have a lot to learn from these men in the uniform”.

This event spearheaded by the Senior Executives Club at ISB intends to instill leadership skills and to create awareness among the students about the functioning of Indian Defense Forces.