Category: News

Bolt 2025 commenced with a spectacular opening ceremony on 28 February 2025, ushering in two weeks of exhilarating competition, camaraderie, and sporting excellence. This year’s edition was larger than ever, featuring participation from students from SIAS and IFMR GSB, along with the introduction of new sports, strategic club collaborations, and an innovative approach to scaling the event. The house system—Athena, Ares, Poseidon, and Persephone—fuelled the competitive spirit, with students proudly representing their teams.

In a significant milestone, Bolt 2025 secured monetary sponsorships for the first time, paving the way for its transformation into an intercollegiate event in the future. The opening ceremony featured inspiring speeches from the core team, acknowledgments for club contributions, and a commitment to elevating Bolt to new heights.

The competition was intense, with each house showcasing its strengths—Athena’s formidable football team, Poseidon’s dominance in tennis, Ares’ all-around resilience, and Persephone’s powerhouse basketball squad. Beyond the matches, Bolt 2025 fostered a strong sense of community, bringing together students from diverse disciplines to cheer, support, and revel in the spirit of sportsmanship. Various clubs played a crucial role in enhancing the experience—Layam’s energetic opening ceremony, Rachana’s innovative merchandise, the Gaming Club’s revival of Esports, and Her Campus’ creative additions, among many others.

The event culminated in a grand closing ceremony on 15 March 2025, where the winning teams were honoured in a celebratory prize distribution. The ceremony not only recognised the champions and unforgettable moments but also celebrated the collective spirit that made Bolt 2025 truly remarkable. With an ambitious vision to expand beyond Krea, this year’s edition was more than just a tournament—it was a movement, laying the groundwork for an even bigger and brighter future.

Report by Shivani Pramod, MBA Cohort of 2024-26

IFMR Graduate School of Business (GSB), Krea University, in partnership with the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) and the Young Scholars Initiative (YSI), hosted an international conference on Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in Agriculture: Strategies for Sustainable Development in South Asia. Held from March 17 to 18, 2025, at the Krea University campus, the event brought together leading scholars, researchers, and policymakers to address the challenges of climate change and its impact on agriculture.

The conference opened with an inaugural lecture by Professor K Narayanan, Professor and Head, Economics, IIT Bombay on Understanding the Linkages Between Climate Change and Economic Development: Lessons from India. His address set the stage for in-depth discussions on climate resilience and sustainable agricultural practices.

A key highlight was the plenary session on Climate Change, Food Security, and Gender, led by Professor Sridevi G, University of Hyderabad, which explored the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalised communities and the need for inclusive policy interventions.

The panel discussion on Agriculture and Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in South Asia featured expert insights from Dr Chandra Sekhar Bahinipati, Associate Professor and Head, HSS, IIT Tirupati and Professor Madhuri Saripalle, Professor, Economics and Chairperson, MBA Programme, IFMR GSB. The session examined innovative strategies for sustainable agriculture, drawing on case studies from across South Asia.

Adding to the discourse, Sharon Buteau, Executive Director, LEAD at Krea University delivered a special lecture on Sustainable Livelihoods and Gender, highlighting the role of community-driven initiatives in strengthening climate resilience.

The conference concluded with a valedictory session by Professor Barbara Harriss-White, Senior Research Fellow, School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies; Professor Emeritus of Development Studies; Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, on Agriculture and Climate Change. Her address underscored the need for interdisciplinary research and collaborative policymaking to tackle climate-induced agricultural vulnerabilities.

By fostering critical discussions on sustainable agriculture and climate resilience, the conference reinforced IFMR GSB’s commitment to research-driven solutions and policy innovation in sustainable development.

Photo Courtesy – Media Lab

The National Human Resource Development Network (NHRDN) Student Chapter at IFMR GSB, Krea University, hosted the HR Conclave 2025 on 8 March 2025. The event brought together thought leaders, industry experts, and aspiring professionals to engage in insightful discussions about the evolving landscape of human resources and leadership.

Keynote Address by Professor T V Rao – The Father of HRD in India

The event commenced with a compelling keynote address by Professor T V Rao, Founder President of NHRDN, on the theme of “Effective People.” He encouraged participants to recognise their strengths and use them for the betterment of society. Proffesor Rao classified individuals into three categories:

• Doers – Those who diligently follow instructions, adhere to schedules, and accomplish assigned tasks.
• Achievers – Professionals who push beyond expectations, take on challenges, and create a meaningful impact.
• Visionaries – Changemakers who address strategic challenges, drive innovation, and contribute significantly to societal transformation.

His inspiring words urged attendees to aspire towards becoming visionaries, leveraging their unique talents to bring about positive change.

Fireside Chat: “Past, Present, and Future of HR”

A dynamic fireside chat followed, featuring distinguished HR professionals who shared their experiences, career-defining moments, and insights into the future of HR. The panellists and key takeaways from their discussion included:

• Mr Anil Santhapuri (Head – Academy for Management and Leadership Excellence, TVS Motor Company) emphasised the holistic approach to Learning and Development, stating that organisations must focus on developing employees’ physical, mental, and spiritual well-being to ensure sustainable growth.
• Ms Jayanthi Vaidyanathan (Vice President and Head of Human Resources, PayPal India) highlighted the importance of HR functions that transcend policies and processes. She stressed that care and compassion should be core cultural values, ensuring both physical and mental safety for employees.
• Ms Megha Das (Manager – Employer Branding,  Internal Communications, and Leadership Engagement at Sony Pictures Networks India) underscored the significance of passion in career success. She noted that effective communication is central to people management and workplace engagement. 
  
• Mr Rajagopal S (Tata Electronics Hosur) shared his perspective on resilience, stating that embracing failure is a crucial step towards achieving long-term success.

A Platform for Learning and Networking

HR Conclave 2025 provided students and professionals with a unique opportunity to learn from industry experts, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving HR landscape. The event was a resounding success, reinforcing IFMR GSB’s commitment to fostering meaningful industry-academic collaboration.

Photo Courtesy: Media Lab, Krea University and Shutterbugs – Photography Club at IFMR GSB

IFMR GSB, Krea University has launched the students’ chapter of the National Human Resource Development Network (NHRDN), marking a new milestone in fostering human resource development and industry-academia collaboration.

Launching the chapter virtually, Dr TV Rao, Founder President of NHRDN and Chairman of TV Rao Learning Systems Pvt Ltd, highlighted the importance of prioritising human resource development through skill-building and competency enhancement, especially for students and young professionals. He described HRD as a journey of discovering and amplifying one’s inner strengths, capabilities and talents to create a meaningful impact on others. He encouraged students to leverage NHRDN for knowledge sharing and dissemination to create a meaningful impact.

Delivering the inaugural address virtually, Prem Singh, National President of NHRDN and President, Group HR, JK Organisation, expressed confidence that the NHRD Krea Chapter would significantly contribute to professional growth in the region. He emphasised the nationwide presence of the NHRD Network and highlighted how a collaborative approach could unlock numerous opportunities. Encouraging IFMR GSB students, he urged them to actively engage with NHRDN.

Professor Sridhar Narayanan, Founder, Grand Alliance for Management Excellence (GAME), led delegates in pledging to uphold NHRDN’s ‘Code of Conduct’, which ensures high standards of integrity, competence, and continuous development.

Dhananjay Singh, Director General, NHRDN and an experienced management professional, participated virtually and highlighted the collaboration’s impact on strategic planning, change management, leadership development and innovative initiatives.

The event also featured insights from Dr Aquil Busrai, Chief Executive Officer, Aquil Busrai Consulting and former National President of NHRDN and J Kabilan, President, Chennai Chapter, NHRDN, and VP & HR Leader, L&T Construction, who highlighted the impact of this collaboration on leadership development, strategic HR planning, and industry best practices.

The session opened with a welcome address by Professor Lakshmi Kumar, Dean, IFMR GSB, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Nagarani M, Associate Professor, OB & HR, IFMR GSB. The launch was attended by students, faculty members and NHRDN professionals.

The NHRD Krea Chapter will enable students to engage with industry leaders, gain exposure to evolving HR trends and sharpen their professional skills. Established in 1985, NHRDN is a premier non-profit organisation with over 20,000 members across 54 chapters in India and Singapore, serving as a knowledge hub for HR professionals across diverse industries. This new chapter strengthens IFMR GSB’s commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry, creating a dynamic platform for learning, networking and career advancement.

PC: The Media Lab

On 8 January 2025, the Global Arts discipline, in collaboration with the Office of Student Life (OSL) and initiated by Arts of the Deccan Course ARTS229/HIST235/LITT235, presented an immersive evening about Deccani Art, Literature, and History.

There were two workshops, one of which focused on Qalamkari textiles. This intricate art involves creating detailed designs on fabric using a pen with mordant chemical catalysts to ensure the dye is colourfast. The fabric is then painted or dyed using a resist technique. In this workshop, taught by traditional Masulipatnam Qalamkari artist Pitambar, we learnt about the preparation of fabric and dyes and the process of block printing. We even had the opportunity to try our hand at block printing ourselves.

The other workshop was an introduction to the style of Nasta’liq calligraphy and was taught by artist Shaikh Ahsaanuddin of Gulbarga, who works with many styles of Perso-Arabic calligraphy, including the beautiful Nasta’liq style. These workshops not only introduced us to these art forms and allowed us to experience them firsthand; but they also showed us the skill and hard work required to create things we usually take for granted, such as fabric dyeing and beautiful calligraphy. It served as a reminder to support and learn the arts that come from communities around us.

These workshops were accompanied by Deccani music, samasya-puranas and a brief walkthrough on the history of Deccan by the students of the Arts of the Deccan Course. It was a great experience to learn from such established and experienced artists and I look forward to more such insightful and exciting events on campus!

A report by Pranvi Khare, Cohort of 2027, SIAS

On 10 December 2024, Professor Ramachandra Guha, Distinguished University Professor, SIAS, and a renowned historian and writer engaged in an enlightening conversation with Dr Bharath Sundaram, Sundram Fasteners Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, SIAS. The discussion revolved around Professor Guha’s latest book, Speaking With Nature, marking his return to environmental research.  

In this book, Professor Guha challenges the common perception that countries like India, often labeled “too poor to be green,” lack environmental awareness. Through meticulous research, he uncovers a largely unacknowledged prehistory of the global environmental movement rooted in India, extending beyond Western narratives. The book highlights the contributions of ten remarkable individuals — Rabindranath Tagore, Radhakamal Mukerjee, JC Kumarappa, Patrick Geddes, Albert and Gabrielle Howard, Mira, Verrier Elwin, KM Munshi, and M Krishnan — who, long before climate change became a global concern, wrote about critical ecological issues such as deforestation, water conservation and urbanisation.  

The conversation was both thought-provoking and insightful, emphasising the interconnected roles of local, regional, national and global perspectives in environmentalism. It also delved into the contrasting dynamics of stomach environmentalism and livelihood environmentalism across the global south and north. Additionally, the discussion explored the role of social media in shaping societal decisions, questioning whether a single click truly creates a long-term impact.  

Professor Guha shared that one of his motivations for writing this book stemmed from witnessing the emergence of a third generation of environmentalists at Krea and the growing urgency of the global climate crisis. During the pandemic, he revisited and expanded his earlier research, culminating in Speaking With Nature. He expressed hope that his book would inspire other scholars to delve deeper into Indian environmentalism — exploring grassroots movements, unrecognised individuals, or the broader spectrum of environmentalism in India before and after the Chipko movement.  

The talk left the audience with much to ponder, and reflect upon and a strong motivation to read Speaking With Nature.  

A report by Pranvi Khare, Cohort of 2027, SIAS

The Jazz Explorer Trio’s recent performance, presented by the Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth (SPIC MACAY) at Krea University on December 2, 2024 (the second in a series of collaborations), beautifully captured the essence of global cultural exchange. Comprised of Danish artists Lars Møller (saxophone), Thor Madsen (guitar) and Jonas Johansen (drums), the group seamlessly melded jazz traditions with a global perspective. 

Their setlist featured tracks like Blues In Five, A Woman’s Purse, Moose and Know, showcasing their musical brilliance and their ability to weave cheerful, conversational rhythms into their compositions, creating a deeply moving experience. The trio also delighted the audience with previews of tracks from their upcoming album, inspired by Miles Davis’s iconic Kind of Blue.  

The evening had a magical quality, taking the audience on a journey through rich soundscapes, from the contemplative elegance of jazz to the playful, interactive exchanges between instruments. The performance highlighted the trio’s commitment to cultural dialogue, resonating strongly with SPIC MACAY’s mission to preserve and share diverse heritages. The connection between jazz improvisation and Indian classical music — both rooted in spontaneity and presence — was evident throughout, as the trio engaged in intricate, meditative interplay.  

The group’s deep engagement with Indian influences added layers of richness to their performance. Møller, in particular, has studied Indian classical music extensively, which informs their ability to blend these influences into their jazz compositions. This performance, reminiscent of the spirit of Kind of Blue or the quintessential So What, celebrated modal jazz — where simplicity meets infinite variation, akin to Indian classical ragas.  

This collaboration under SPIC MACAY exemplifies how jazz and Indian classical music, despite their distinct origins, demand the same sense of presence and spontaneity from both performers and audiences. The synergy of these traditions stands as a testament to the universal language of music and its power to bridge cultures. I eagerly look forward to future collaborations between SPIC MACAY and Krea University.  

A report by Pranvi Khare, Cohort of 2027, SIAS

The Career Services & Partnerships Office at Krea University hosted the third edition of Higher Education Day on 27 November 2024 at the Krea University campus.  

This year’s Higher Education Day brought together representatives from seven countries and over 20 prestigious universities worldwide, such as the University of Liverpool, Queen Mary University of London, University of Otago, Audencia Business School, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Trinity College Dublin, Bocconi University, Indiana University Indianapolis, The University of Utah, IE University, Northeastern University and University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Country representatives like Campus France, Think New Zealand, United States – India Educational Foundation (USIEF), Austradde and education consultants like IDP Education were also present.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Dr Prithvi Datta Chandra Shobhi, Dean and Associate Professor of History, School of Interwoven Arts and Sciences (SIAS), Krea University said, “Higher Education Day is a key event in our academic calendar, providing a platform to interact with representatives, foster deeper connections and forge meaningful partnerships.”

The event provided a dynamic platform for students to explore global educational opportunities, engage directly with university representatives and receive personalised guidance on pursuing higher studies abroad.

Reflecting on the event’s impact, Abhishek Boral, Senior Recruitment Adviser (South Asia), Queen Mary University of London, remarked, “It’s been a fruitful experience interacting with students and helping them realise their international education dreams and walking them through all the key aspects of admissions. It’s inspiring to see such potential and interest among young minds.”

Sharing her experience, Ava Arjun, a student participant said, “The event offers a valuable opportunity to interact directly with representatives from reputed global institutions. It’s an excellent chance for students to network with peers and faculty members at the stalls, gaining deeper insights to shape their future plans. As someone keen on pursuing higher education abroad, events like these simplify the entire process.” 

Through interactive sessions, one-on-one discussions and engaging presentations, students gained valuable insights into global academic pathways, admissions processes and future career possibilities. The event marked yet another milestone in Krea University’s commitment to nurturing global-ready leaders.

For more information, please write to: SIAS.CareerServices@krea.edu.in or Payal Maheswari at payal.maheshwari@krea.edu.in