Now, budding managers to work out solutions for elderly care
Senior citizens have something to look forward to as the students of B-schools across the country will apply their knowledge to come up with intelligent and implementable solutions to address the needs of the elderly.
IIM Lucknow has joined hands with HelpAge India to work for the cause. It has announced the launch of ‘Yajna’, the pan-India corporate social responsibility (CSR) challenge, which is open to all graduates, postgraduates and doctoral stu- dents across India.
The participants will prepare modules enlisting ways to reduce the harships of the elderly and forward the best suggestions to the institute. The IIM will then send the short-listed modules to HelpAge for approval.
The solutions would be evaluated by HelpAge veterans on the scale of creativity, feasibility and innovation. With the total prize money of ` 75,000, the challenge also offers opportunity for the winners to have their solution sponsored and implemented.
The teams are expected to make field visits as part of the project, said representa- tives from the IIM-L.
“The vision of the event is to create a more just and equitable society that would lead to a more sustainable world. It is not only an ardent need but also a moral imperative and it can become a reality only through the efforts of every individual,” said AK Singh, director and state head UP of HelpAge India.
AK Singh says, “Nuclear families have become the order of the day. Postretirement, the senior citizens have ample time but there are no individuals in the family to spare time for these emotionally isolated people. I’m confident that students of B-School will come up with some out-ofthe-box thinking which can address their problems.”
The challenge is a major highlight of Manfest-Varchasva, the annual business, cultural and sports fest of IIM-L.
Social responsibility is a crucial element in the path to sustainable living and transformational social change. As a responsible B-school, IIM-L places a lot of stress on this. Other initiatives like the Prerna Social Entrepreneurship Awards and the iconic Lucknow 10k run are also focused on impact this year.