This article is sponsored by SP Jain Institute of Management and Research
“There is a village called Chaurasi not far from where I am working now. The name always intrigued me and I later learned it was because the place was once adorned with 84 temples. The temples are now in a dilapidated condition, the scattered stones exhibit fine craftsmanship and some are carved with intricate sculptures. Coming here (SPJIMR), I saw each participant as a stone in that temple, and this program as a building shaped by them.” In his farewell speech, Maulik Sisodia, Executive Director of Tarun Bharat Sangh and son of Waterman of India Shri Rajendra Singh shared these poignant words.
After devoting 14 years to an organization founded by his father that focused on water conservation nearly five decades ago, Maulik Sisodia realized that he and his team needed to build the capacity to take the organization to the next level, and in the post-graduate program Decided to join. in Development Management (PGPDM) at SPJIMR, Mumbai.
SPJIMR stands out for socially responsible management education and their PGPDM introduced in 2011 is no different. The main objective of the program is to develop value-based leaders who can innovate and transform social sector organizations to have a greater impact on society. Through a unique model that enables working professionals to attend classes while continuing their work, the program is a testament to ‘learning by doing’. The program is suitable for professionals who work or want to work in the social sector. The program’s unique design and pedagogy are the result of an understanding that traditional corporate management theories are inadequate for a complex social sector, even though management theories need to be drawn upon to impact the development sector at scale. The program uniquely blends the fields of development and management, seamlessly blending theory and practice.
This unique model of the program attracted Satendra Singh Lilhare, the co-founder and chief executive officer of the social organization. In a remote corner of Chhattisgarh, standing tall is the institution of Satendra called by heart. From Bastar to Bazar. It was born out of a deep understanding of the challenges tribal farmers face in accessing markets for their produce and is now on a mission to uplift their lives. The journey from Bastar to Bazar is really tough and Satendra says that PGPDM at SPJIMR has made the journey a little easier.
Summing up his experience in one statement, he proudly expresses, “The program made me a believer.” Initially, he understood that the core values, vision, mission and objectives of the organization are outlined on the website only for its sake; The core idea to be drawn into concrete statements often flows and therefore many organizations outsource the task of developing these ideas to external agencies. Ultimately, his learning from PGPDM gave him so much confidence and insight that he not only developed an unwavering belief in the core values that his organization carries but also underpinned them into full-fledged implementation strategies. No wonder, during the program, From Bastar to Bazar Won the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge (2020-21).
Another alumnus, Bhushan Kamble, who graduated in 2023, realized his leadership potential during the program and went on to build his own artisan brand ‘Bhan’ which sells exquisite handcrafted leather products by traditional leather artisans spread across several villages in Western Maharashtra. Raised in Chawal, Mumbai, Bhushan believes that these artisans from the countryside connect us with the history of the region they come from through the stories woven into each stitch and design. Vhaan’s goal is to restore the authenticity of this art form and ensure that true storytellers take back the spotlight and are treated with respect.
“The course taught me everything I needed to know to become a social entrepreneur. I learned how to think clearly, take care of accounting and finance, conduct surveys, build teams, design projects, measure where we are going as a team and most importantly, apply previous learnings. I have learned how to incorporate new assignments,” he added. .
Assignments during PGPDM that ranged from theory of change to program design, fundraising to program evaluation and impact assessment, from public policy to advocacy and networking and a series of management courses tailored to Bhushan and other students. Apply learning in ever-changing social arenas and real-time scenarios.
Similarly, the original has not one big but many smaller takeaways from the course. He shares how the course gave him valuable insights into aligning his grassroots work with the SDGs and staying relevant in the evolving development sector. Having always worked in the field, he thought courses like marketing and branding management were only for corporates. Today, he has created brand guidelines for Tarun Bharat Sangh. New concepts such as the Theory of Change and Design Thinking were applied to his work resulting in improvements, including a sophisticated website with a clear vision and mission.
Acknowledging the change in social perspective, Maulik concluded his farewell speech: “My house in the village has an iron-barred window. Our Bibi’s cotton saree was used to cover the window, just like in the olden days. When the sun shines, the room is bright and when taking a bath, light water enters the room. But what was happening outside. The curtain was so high that we could only see the shadows of the people beyond it. But during this event last year, something changed, or maybe you all did. The cord of the curtain loosened, and it came down a little. Now, I can see the society outside. Now, when I go back, I have to look at those faces with a new perspective and apply what I learned here.
Almost every student and graduate of PGPDM has a similar story to tell; A story of personal transformation for the transformation of society.
For more information on the program and eligibility criteria, click here.
This article was contributed by SP Jain Institute of Management and Research