“India Was, Is, and Will Remain a Maritime Nation”: Naval Chief Inspires Future Leaders at IIM Rohtak

“India Was, Is, and Will Remain a Maritime Nation”: Naval Chief Inspires Future Leaders at IIM Rohtak

Rohtak, 
Indian Institute of Management Rohtak inaugurated the 16th batch of its flagship Post Graduate Programme with a grand Induction and Orientation Ceremony on June 28, 2025. The occasion was marked by inspiring addresses from distinguished dignitaries, including Chief Guest Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, Chief of the Naval Staff, and Hon’ble Justice Jain, Judge at the High Court of Punjab and Haryana. The incoming cohort comprises 329 PGP students and 8 scholars from the 13th batch of the Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM).

In his keynote address, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized India’s enduring maritime heritage, tracing it back over 6,000 years to the ancient port city of Lothal. Declaring that “India was, is, and will always remain a maritime nation,” he highlighted the oceans’ critical role in shaping India’s economic and strategic future. Citing that 95% of India’s trade by volume moves via sea routes and 99% of global internet data travels through undersea cables, Admiral Tripathi stressed the Indian Navy’s pivotal role in safeguarding these lifelines.

He shared recent examples of naval operations that saved over 400 lives and secured cargo worth more than USD 5.3 billion amid regional tensions in West Asia. He also highlighted the Navy’s humanitarian efforts during the 2025 Myanmar earthquake, reinforcing its stature as a responsible regional force.

Admiral Tripathi’s address transitioned into a powerful leadership talk, where he distilled five key lessons from his four-decade-long naval career:

1. Read, Write, Reflect – Develop clarity of thought and judgment through intellectual discipline.

2. Value Teamwork – Trust and collaboration are central to collective success.

3. Empower to Lead – Leadership involves communication, risk-taking, delegation, and foresight.

4. Decide Under Pressure – Effective decision-making in crises is a hallmark of leadership.

5. Be Resilient – Adversity is inevitable, but perseverance and self-belief can overcome it.

He closed his address with a call to action for the students: “Dream, dare, and deliver,” quoting Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and urged them to lead with humility, compassion, and purpose.

Hon’ble Justice Jain, in his address, encouraged students to transcend rote learning and embrace deeper academic inquiry. Sharing his ‘4R’ mantra—Read, Research, Reflect, and Revisit—he inspired students to think critically, revisit key ideas, and apply their learning in real-world settings. He reminded them that resilience is not the absence of failure but the strength to rise each time they fall.

Setting the tone for the orientation, Professor Dheeraj Sharma, Director of IIM Rohtak, outlined the Institute’s holistic vision for management education—rooted in national service, self-discipline, and critical thinking. He spoke about the Institute’s unique offerings such as its case-based pedagogy, rural engagement programs, emphasis on yoga, and a strong industry interface. Professor Sharma highlighted the role of youth in shaping Viksit Bharat 2047 and emphasized consistency in behavior, continuous learning, and responsible leadership.

Adding to these reflections, Lt. Gen. Balbir Singh Sandhu (Retd.), AVSM, VSM, offered valuable insights drawn from his military experience. He emphasized that courage, discipline, and perseverance are not optional but fundamental traits for any effective leader. His talk focused on navigating uncertainty with integrity and fortitude—qualities that resonate across both the military and corporate worlds.

The orientation ceremony also featured two engaging panel discussions:

• “Expected Competencies of Management Graduates in Today’s Business Landscape”

• “Leadership in the Age of AI”
  Seven distinguished industry leaders from diverse sectors shared perspectives on evolving skillsets and leadership challenges in the digital era.

As part of its efforts to foster intellectual engagement, IIM Rohtak organized the 2025 National Essay Writing Competition for doctoral scholars on the theme “Contribution of the Indian Armed Forces: Pillars of National Security and Pride.” Winners were awarded cash prizes ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

Adding a creative dimension to the event, Professor Dheeraj Sharma launched his latest book, Power of Movies. He described cinema as a reflection of life’s complexities and urged students to engage critically with films as a mirror to societal values, emotions, and human contradictions. The book encourages readers to see movies not just as entertainment, but as a medium for deeper insight and reflection.

The orientation concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among students, guided by powerful messages on leadership, national service, intellectual rigor, and personal growth. With such a promising start, the 16th batch of IIM Rohtak embarks on a transformative journey toward academic excellence and nation-building.