“You adjusted and optimized; then something remarkable happened”: Navodaya 2026
IIMB faculty share bittersweet reflections for the road ahead at EPGP farewell lecture
26 February, 2026, Bengaluru: Navodaya, the farewell lecture for the Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP) Class of 2026 at IIM Bangalore, was held on 25 February 2026, as students prepare to step beyond campus and into the next chapter of their professional journeys.
The session brought together reflections from Prof. Chetan Subramanian, Economics area, Prof. Shankar Venkatagiri, Information Systems area, and Prof. Abhoy K. Ojha, Retired faculty from the OB&HRM area, who offered thoughtful observations on growth, resilience, and leadership beyond the classroom.
On the promise of new beginnings, Prof. Chetan opened his remarks, saying, “You faced unfamiliar systems, new expectations, heavy coursework, group dynamics, and the quiet anxiety of wondering, “Do I really belong here?'” He further reminded the class, saying, “There was initial trepidation. Some volatility. Perhaps even a few internal trade wars. But then something remarkable happened. You adjusted. You recalibrated. You optimized. You forged new partnerships, and instead of retreating, you took the challenges head-on”.
Prof. Ojha encouraged students to remain tethered to their values and their belief system, which he said ultimately carried greater weight than transient professional milestones. Prof. Venkatagiri reflected candidly on learning from failure to remind students that setbacks are not aberrations but an integral part of long-term success.
EPGP Chairperson Prof. Amar Sapra, Production & Operations Management area, also addressed the cohort and encouraged nurturing a lifelong connection with the Institute. The session concluded with students sharing their own bittersweet reflections.
“You adjusted and optimized; then something remarkable happened”: Navodaya 2026
IIMB faculty share bittersweet reflections for the road ahead at EPGP farewell lecture
26 February, 2026, Bengaluru: Navodaya, the farewell lecture for the Executive Post Graduate Programme (EPGP) Class of 2026 at IIM Bangalore, was held on 25 February 2026, as students prepare to step beyond campus and into the next chapter of their professional journeys.
The session brought together reflections from Prof. Chetan Subramanian, Economics area, Prof. Shankar Venkatagiri, Information Systems area, and Prof. Abhoy K. Ojha, Retired faculty from the OB&HRM area, who offered thoughtful observations on growth, resilience, and leadership beyond the classroom.
On the promise of new beginnings, Prof. Chetan opened his remarks, saying, “You faced unfamiliar systems, new expectations, heavy coursework, group dynamics, and the quiet anxiety of wondering, “Do I really belong here?'” He further reminded the class, saying, “There was initial trepidation. Some volatility. Perhaps even a few internal trade wars. But then something remarkable happened. You adjusted. You recalibrated. You optimized. You forged new partnerships, and instead of retreating, you took the challenges head-on”.
Prof. Ojha encouraged students to remain tethered to their values and their belief system, which he said ultimately carried greater weight than transient professional milestones. Prof. Venkatagiri reflected candidly on learning from failure to remind students that setbacks are not aberrations but an integral part of long-term success.
EPGP Chairperson Prof. Amar Sapra, Production & Operations Management area, also addressed the cohort and encouraged nurturing a lifelong connection with the Institute. The session concluded with students sharing their own bittersweet reflections.