The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya successfully launched Lakshya 1.0, its inaugural Corporate Leadership Conclave, marking the formal commencement of the Final Placement Season 2026–27. Conceived as a platform to strengthen industry–academia collaboration, the conclave brought together eminent corporate leaders, faculty members and students to exchange perspectives on leadership, evolving industry expectations and the future of management careers. The initiative reflects the Institute’s commitment to nurturing meaningful corporate relationships while preparing students to thrive in an increasingly dynamic business environment.
Organised under the theme ‘Campus to Corporate | Igniting Vision, Shaping Leaders’, Lakshya 1.0 was conceptualised under the guidance and vision of Prof. Vinita S. Sahay, Director, IIM Bodh Gaya, with the objective of fostering stronger industry–academia collaboration and creating meaningful avenues for engagement between corporate leaders and future managers. The initiative was spearheaded by Prof. Deepika Gupta, Chairperson, Career Development Cell, whose leadership brought this vision to life by creating a platform that extends beyond placements to facilitate internships, live projects, guest lectures, leadership interactions and long-term corporate partnerships. Through Lakshya 1.0, IIM Bodh Gaya reaffirms its commitment to building an ecosystem where organisations engage with emerging talent beyond the conventional recruitment process, fostering enduring relationships that benefit both industry and academia.
The event featured two engaging leadership panels. The first panel, ‘From Classroom to Consulting: What the Best Firms Look for in MBA Talent’, was moderated by Prof. Ramizur Rahman and featured Mr Setu Shah, Senior Director, Global Product Strategy, Oracle Corporation; Mr Jaideep Anand Deshpande, Director, Central Operations, Cognizant Technology Solutions; Ms Krupali Raval, Director, Human Resources, Hexagon R&D India; Mr Paramveer Singh Narang, India Head of Talent Acquisition, Capital One; and Mr Debashish Ghosh, HR Head, Access Healthcare. The discussion explored the competencies, mindset and leadership qualities that organisations seek in management graduates, highlighting the growing importance of analytical thinking, communication, adaptability and problem-solving in today’s workplace.
The second panel, ‘Navigating Careers in a Changing World: How Geopolitical Shifts Are Reshaping Global Business and MBA Opportunities’, was moderated by Prof. Madhumita Das and brought together Mr Mahaveer Singh Bisht, Global Knowledge Director, Kearney; Mr Pravas Kumar Sahoo, Chief Financial Officer, Decimal Point Analytics; Ms Rashmi S. Kashyap, Head, Talent Acquisition & HR Business Partner, Centricity WealthTech; Ms Ayana, Senior Manager – HR, Comviva Technologies; and Mr Kshitij Mehta, Talent Acquisition Lead, Haleon. The panel examined the impact of geopolitical developments, artificial intelligence and shifting global supply chains on business and careers. Speakers underscored the importance of adaptability, cross-functional capabilities, storytelling, problem-solving and continuous upskilling, while emphasising India’s growing significance in the global economy and encouraging students to view uncertainty as an opportunity for innovation and leadership.
The conclave also featured a special Leadership Talk by Mr. Kunal Choudhury, Director and Head of HR & Talent, Alvarez & Marsal Global Capability Center. Drawing on his extensive experience in talent strategy and leadership, Mr. Kunal Choudhury shared valuable insights on navigating today’s evolving corporate landscape, highlighting the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and purpose-driven leadership. His address encouraged students to view their careers as journeys of sustained growth and to cultivate the mindset and capabilities required to thrive in an increasingly dynamic business environment.
Lakshya 1.0 marks the beginning of a sustained industry engagement initiative at IIM Bodh Gaya. By creating a platform for meaningful dialogue between business leaders, academia and aspiring managers, the conclave lays the foundation for stronger institutional partnerships and expanded opportunities for placements, internships, experiential learning, research collaborations and leadership development.