Hyderabad – IMT Hyderabad commenced ABHYUDAY 2026, its flagship Management Orientation Program for the incoming PGDM Class of 2026–28, marking the beginning of a transformative academic journey for the newest cohort of management professionals. The inauguration ceremony was graced by Dr Raj P Narayanam, Founder and Executive Chairman, Zaggle, as Chief Guest, and Mr Ranga Pothula, MD India Subcontinent and SVP, Global Delivery Services, Infor, as Guest of Honour, in the presence of Prof (Dr) K M Baharul Islam, Director, IMT Hyderabad.
The ceremony opened with the traditional lighting of the lamp and Saraswati Vandana, symbolising the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Welcoming the new batch, Prof (Dr) Nikhil Rastogi highlighted the exceptional diversity and competitiveness that define the incoming class. Students from 24 states of India, 186 cities, and a wide spectrum of academic disciplines reflects the richness of perspectives that modern management education seeks to nurture. He remarked that management learning extends far beyond classrooms, finding equal expression in peer interactions, collaborative experiences, and intellectual curiosity.
Prof (Dr) K M Baharul Islam, in his inaugural address, reflected on the evolving nature of leadership in an era shaped by rapid technological change and unprecedented access to information. He encouraged students to remain deeply curious, intellectually agile, and open to learning from people, experiences, and perspectives, different from their own. Emphasising that innovation must be accompanied by human insight, he urged students to become active seekers of solutions rather than passive recipients of instruction.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Sourabh Bhattacharya, Dean (Academics), spoke about the importance of purpose-driven learning and the role of perspective in shaping individual journeys. Encouraging students to approach challenges with resilience and conviction, he reiterated the values that continue to define the institute’s ethos: being frank in self-reflection, fair in decision-making, and fearless in pursuing what is right.
Speaking on the future of work and leadership, the guest of honour, Mr Ranga Pothula highlighted how technological disruptions, particularly Artificial Intelligence, are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. He underscored that adaptability is no longer a competitive advantage but a prerequisite for relevance. Encouraging students to embrace change with confidence, he observed that curiosity and continuous learning remain the most durable currencies in an increasingly dynamic world.
In his address, the chief guest Dr Raj P Narayanam shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey and reflected on the mindset required to build organisations that create enduring value. Encouraging students to make the most of their two-year journey, he emphasised the importance of authentic relationships, intellectual curiosity, and ownership. Urging students to focus on value creation rather than short-term milestones, he observed that careers are built not merely through opportunities secured, but through capabilities developed.
ABHYUDAY, meaning ‘rise’ or ‘progress’, serves as the foundation of the PGDM experience at IMT Hyderabad. Designed as an immersive orientation program, it introduces students to the academic rigour, collaborative culture, and leadership values that define the institute. Through interactions with distinguished industry leaders, faculty members, alumni, and community stakeholders, the program seeks to cultivate a mindset of inquiry, adaptability, and responsible leadership.
As the Class of 2026-28 embarks on its management journey, ABHYUDAY 2026 stands not merely as an orientation, but as an invitation to learn deeply, think boldly, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.