India’s Energy Security and Institutional Resilience Take Centre Stage at IIM Bangalore’s 53rd Foundation Day

A S Sahney, Chairman, IndianOil, discusses energy diversification, leadership and long term investments, while Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director in Charge, IIM Bangalore, outlines the institute’s academic initiatives and institutional partnerships.

IndianOil Chairman A S Sahney addressed students, faculty, alumni and staff at the 53rd Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), highlighting the importance of energy security, institutional resilience and leadership in India’s development.
Delivering a lecture titled “India’s Energy Journey: IndianOil’s Role in Securing Energy, Navigating Geopolitics and Building Resilience”, Sahney discussed how institutions can respond to uncertainty while investing in capabilities needed for the future.
He urged students to recognise the importance of cooperation among industry, infrastructure, research institutions, academia and young innovators in India’s development.

People and Purpose at the Centre of Leadership
Sahney, who has worked across five of IndianOil’s nine refineries and has more than three decades of experience in refining and petrochemicals, drew on his professional experience to discuss organisational leadership.
He said that although technology and artificial intelligence have changed how energy businesses operate, the principles that sustain institutions remain rooted in people, purpose and trust.
“Today, technology and AI help us track energy movements, optimize operations and make decisions that were unimaginable before. But the fundamentals of what holds organizations together remain unchanged.”
Referring to India’s women’s hockey gold medal at the Asian Games, Sahney said that half the players in the team were IndianOil employees.

He attributed the achievement to the players’ determination and teamwork.
It is a matter of immense pride for us that half the players in this victorious Indian team are IndianOil employees. But the glory belongs entirely to these remarkable women – their determination, their teamwork and their refusal to give up.”
He also recalled IndianOil’s role in supporting the production, procurement and transportation of Liquid Medical Oxygen during the second wave of the Covid crisis.
Sahney described the experience as an example of how institutions are tested during emergencies.
“Purpose is not what you say in good times, but what you do in bad times.”

Energy Security and Geopolitical Uncertainty
Discussing the challenges facing India’s energy sector, Sahney emphasised diversification, domestic capabilities and preparedness for supply disruptions.
He noted that economic dependencies can become sources of geopolitical pressure, making resilient supply chains important for essential services and national security.
Referring to a recent LPG disruption, he described the coordinated response of refinery engineers, procurement teams, railway personnel, transport operators and distributors.
Sahney also highlighted the need for managers to balance operational efficiency with preparedness for unexpected events.
“Just-in-time is efficient; but just-in-case is resilient.”
His remarks underlined the importance of planning for circumstances that cannot always be predicted through conventional risk assessment.

Trust and Leadership Development
Sahney said that effective institutions allow employees to make decisions, question established practices and learn from mistakes.
He encouraged students to consider careers in sectors that contribute directly to India’s economic and infrastructure development, including energy, manufacturing and agriculture.
“Leadership is not simply about getting the best out of people, but helping people discover the best within themselves.”
He also discussed IndianOil’s Leaders of Tomorrow programme, which is intended to prepare promising executives for senior leadership responsibilities.
According to Sahney, the value of leadership extends beyond immediate business performance to the development of people who can contribute to institutions over time.

IndianOil’s Energy Transition and Project SPRINT
Sahney addressed the importance of investing in future capabilities even when the eventual benefits remain uncertain.
He said IndianOil’s investments reflect an energy outlook in which conventional and emerging energy sources develop alongside one another.
The company is pursuing initiatives involving biofuels, Compressed BioGas, Green Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
He also discussed Project SPRINT, IndianOil’s three year organisational transformation programme.
The initiative is organised around three business priorities, Core, Cost and Customer, and three future oriented priorities, Technology, Talent and Transition.
Sahney said the programme also introduced measurable goals and clearer accountability.
“The 3Cs strengthen today’s business; while the 3Ts prepare it for tomorrow.”
He encouraged students to remain adaptable rather than allowing early professional achievements to restrict their future choices.
“Your industry is not your identity. Your capabilities are.”

IIM Bangalore Outlines Academic and Institutional Initiatives
Prof. U Dinesh Kumar, Director in Charge, IIM Bangalore, addressed the gathering and acknowledged support from the Central Government, the Ministry of Education and the Government of Karnataka.
He discussed the institute’s educational and institutional partnerships, including the IIMBx FinTech Certificate Programme for Young Professionals.
He also referred to IIMB’s collaboration with the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation.
Discussing undergraduate education at the Jigani campus, Prof. Dinesh Kumar acknowledged the contribution of Tata Trusts to the establishment of the IIMB Dorabji Tata School of Undergraduate Studies.
He also highlighted Axis Bank’s support for a Centre of Excellence in Economics, faculty development, research and student scholarships.
The institute’s incubation centre, NSRCEL, has signed an agreement with IIT Kanpur to support deep technology startups and help develop commercial applications for emerging technologies.
Prof. Dinesh Kumar emphasised the need for IIM Bangalore to remain responsive to changes in education, business and public policy.
We must remain relevant in a changing world, deepen our contribution to business and public policy, advance knowledge through research, and prepare leaders who create lasting value for society.”

Institutional Growth and Alumni Contributions
M. D. Ranganath, Member, Board of Governors, IIM Bangalore, reflected on the institute’s development over more than five decades.
He discussed its expansion from a single postgraduate programme to a broader academic portfolio that includes undergraduate, digital and executive education.
Ranganath attributed the institute’s development to the contributions of faculty, staff and students, alongside partnerships with government and corporate organisations.
The Foundation Day programme also included the presentation of the IIM Bangalore Alumni Service Awards.
Established in 2023 during the institute’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the awards recognise graduates who have made sustained contributions to IIMB and its alumni community.

This year’s recipients were Ganesan Ramachandran, PGP 1994, and Nityanand Shenoy, PGP 1987.
Prof. Vasanthi Srinivasan, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development, conducted the award ceremony and introduced the recipients.
“The alumni are the backbone of any institution, strengthening the institute as ambassadors and evangelists with their impactful and enduring contributions.”
Ganesan Ramachandran described his continued involvement with the institute as an expression of gratitude.
“Giving back to the institution and its alumni community is my way of expressing gratitude for all that it has given me.”
Nityanand Shenoy also spoke about the importance of maintaining connections with the alumni community.
“I have always believed that the true value of an alumni network lies in staying connected and giving back.”

Faculty and Staff Receive Long Service Awards
IIM Bangalore also recognised faculty and non teaching staff for completing significant periods of service.
Among non teaching staff, 13 employees completed 10 years, nine completed 15 years and one completed 35 years.
Faculty recognition included three recipients for 10 years, one for 15 years, six for 20 years, one for 25 years and two for 30 years of service.
Prof. Venkatesh Panchapagesan, Dean, Administration, presented the staff awards, while Prof. Sourav Mukherji presented the faculty awards.
Cdr Ajaya Kumar S, Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Bangalore, delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks and coordinated the programme’s sessions.
The 53rd Foundation Day brought together discussions on India’s energy future, leadership development, academic expansion and the contributions of the institute’s alumni, faculty and staff

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