Bengaluru, 8 th & 9 th September, 2017: Symbiosis Institute of Business Management
(SIBM) Bengaluru recently hosted Alchemy 2017, the Annual Management Conclave in all
its grandeur. The two-day event centred around the theme ‘Vivartanam Bharate’ wherein
esteemed speakers from various sectors of the industry participated in panel discussions and
gave keynote speeches.
India is standing on the precipice of change. In the last few years, the country has witnessed a
tectonic shift in the geo-political landscape. But, will it be able to sustain its growth in this
financially progressive and technologically driven environment? Alchemy 2017, addressed
this burning issue.
In all there were Four Keynote Speakers and Three Panel Discussions: ‘Technological
Singularity’, ‘Bankable India?’ and ‘Good and Simple Tax?’. The Keynote speakers and
Panelists were:
Day 1
Keynote Speaker #1: Mr. C. Rammanohar Reddy, Reader’s Editor, Scroll.in
Mr. C. Rammanohar Reddy spoke passionately about how Financial Inclusion is
going to be the tool to ensure fiscal consolidation. He rightfully said, “Access to credit
at the right time is the first step towards financial inclusion.” Mr. Reddy also
mentioned that Financial Inclusion, should not just remain confined to the head of the
household as it needs to reach women as well in order to make it truly inclusive.
Keynote Speaker #2: Mr. Rajat Jain Founder, PadUp Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Exec. Vice
Chairman, Neva Garments Ltd., Non Exec. Director, Xerox India
Mr. Jain, spoke about innovation and how it is the key to success. He said, “What is it
that makes you a successful entrepreneur? First and foremost, it is a ‘unique idea’."
He urged the students to follow their passion and blaze their own path and not be
afraid to make their own choices.
Panel #1: Technological Singularity
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey, Co-founder and CEO, SigTuple
Mr. Naveen Yeri, Head of Consumer Risk Advanced Analytics, Wells Fargo
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, Vice President, Polaris Consulting and Services Ltd.
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu, MD and CEO, LogiLink, India.
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate, CDO, L&T Technology Services.
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey aptly said, “AI will act as an enabler that will serve to
improve the efficiency of doctors.”
Mr. Naveen Yeri spoke about the grassroot levels of every organization adapting AI
for it to be successful. He said, "Traditional leadership has to unlearn and relearn AI
before coming to judgement about it."
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, in support of Artificial Intelligence, said,
"Adaptability is the next new thing."
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu commented, “The important thing to address is, ‘Does AI
help me drive my sales growth?’ ”
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate said, "Before using AI, we need to understand the domain of
that industry".
Panel #2: Bankable India?
Dr. Susheela Venkataraman, former Technology Head at Asian Development Bank.
Prof. Ravi Kumar, Placement Head, SIBM Bengaluru
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, Consulting Editor of Mint.
Mr. Ravinder Beniwal, President, Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank
Prof. Ravi Kumar started off the discussion saying that “Deposit penetration has
become the key driver for financial inclusion.”
“Digital and Financial Inclusion go hand in hand.”, said Dr. Susheela
Venkataraman, emphasising the role of technology in bringing about transformation.
“For Financial Inclusion, we need to make bank products friction free.” said Mr.
Ravinder Beniwal.
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, highlighted the focal points for making Financial
Inclusion a reality. He said, “Financial Inclusion has to be profitable to be viable and
not from charity or CSR activities.”
Day 2
Keynote Speaker #3: Mr. Sunder Madakshira, Head-Marketing, Adobe India
Mr. Madakshira highlighted the significance of digitisation, and said “The question
for companies is not whether they'll become digital, it's when they'll become digital.”
He added, “The digital world offers more opportunities than it takes away.”
Keynote Speaker #4: Mr. S.R. Raghavendra Rao, Ex-head CMI Airports Planner, Airports
Authority of India
Mr. Rao inspired the students with his profound words. He said, “Ability and attitude
together in the proper proportion is what is needed.” He also congratulated SIBM
Bengaluru for providing the students the exposure to such stalwarts from the industry.
Panel #3: Good and Simple Tax?
Mr. Abhay Dadhich, AVP Finance - Business, SPAR India
Mr. Raviraj Rodrigues, Head Supply Chain, Wildcraft
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar, CEO, Green and Goods Store
Mr. Aravindan Ramachandran, Independent Consultant
Mr. Aravindan Ramachandran began the discussion by highlighting that several
issues had come up relating to people not compiling with GST norms.
Mr. Abhay Dadhich rightfully said, “GST will be beneficial in the long run, but for
now, the consumer is paying more. I agree that GST should have been implemented,
but the government could do a better job in rolling out the tax reform."
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar corroborated by saying, “GST shouldn't be about meeting
the deadline, but should be about achieving it smoothly.”
“Post GST, regional differentiation by firms on the basis of taxes is passé.” said Mr.
Raviraj Rodrigues who spoke extensively about the various advantages of GST. He
added, “The larger discussion is, if you want the country to be tax compliant, GST is
the way to go.”
All in all, every speaker edified the students with their expert insights which will certainly
help them adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the country and find their way to success.
The management students gained a fresh perspective about changes in the market under the
light of the reforms brought about by the government.
Hardik Nikhare, Coordinator of the Conferences and Events Committee, said “We live in a
dynamic environment, a VUCA world, as some of the speakers said. What we tried to do
with this theme, ‘Vivartanam Bharate’, was to bring the experts on stage and encourage
students to be a part of this transformation rather than just being a mere witness to it.”
About SIBM Bengaluru:
Ever since its inception in 1978, SYMBIOSIS has been synonymous with progress. The trend
of progress has been continued by setting up of SIU’s first campus outside Maharashtra at
Bengaluru in 2008. SIBM Bengaluru is now one of the leading B-Schools of the country. The
focus, now, is on matching global standards of management education. SIBMB instills a
work culture which is unparalleled among various institutions. It provides a holistic approach
to management which goes a long way in creating a dynamic identity. Vibrant student
associations and committees complement the program with a number of activities involving
institute-industry interaction.
For additional information on subject of this release, please feel free to contact:
Leona Jennifer Ankita Chauhan
+91-9600037833 +91-9983714327
[email protected]
http://www.sibmbengaluru.edu.in/
SIBM Bengaluru, #95/1, #95/2, Electronics City, Phase-1, Hosur Road, Bengaluru – 560100.
(SIBM) Bengaluru recently hosted Alchemy 2017, the Annual Management Conclave in all
its grandeur. The two-day event centred around the theme ‘Vivartanam Bharate’ wherein
esteemed speakers from various sectors of the industry participated in panel discussions and
gave keynote speeches.
India is standing on the precipice of change. In the last few years, the country has witnessed a
tectonic shift in the geo-political landscape. But, will it be able to sustain its growth in this
financially progressive and technologically driven environment? Alchemy 2017, addressed
this burning issue.
In all there were Four Keynote Speakers and Three Panel Discussions: ‘Technological
Singularity’, ‘Bankable India?’ and ‘Good and Simple Tax?’. The Keynote speakers and
Panelists were:
Day 1
Keynote Speaker #1: Mr. C. Rammanohar Reddy, Reader’s Editor, Scroll.in
Mr. C. Rammanohar Reddy spoke passionately about how Financial Inclusion is
going to be the tool to ensure fiscal consolidation. He rightfully said, “Access to credit
at the right time is the first step towards financial inclusion.” Mr. Reddy also
mentioned that Financial Inclusion, should not just remain confined to the head of the
household as it needs to reach women as well in order to make it truly inclusive.
Keynote Speaker #2: Mr. Rajat Jain Founder, PadUp Ventures Pvt. Ltd., Exec. Vice
Chairman, Neva Garments Ltd., Non Exec. Director, Xerox India
Mr. Jain, spoke about innovation and how it is the key to success. He said, “What is it
that makes you a successful entrepreneur? First and foremost, it is a ‘unique idea’."
He urged the students to follow their passion and blaze their own path and not be
afraid to make their own choices.
Panel #1: Technological Singularity
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey, Co-founder and CEO, SigTuple
Mr. Naveen Yeri, Head of Consumer Risk Advanced Analytics, Wells Fargo
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, Vice President, Polaris Consulting and Services Ltd.
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu, MD and CEO, LogiLink, India.
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate, CDO, L&T Technology Services.
Mr. Rohit Kumar Pandey aptly said, “AI will act as an enabler that will serve to
improve the efficiency of doctors.”
Mr. Naveen Yeri spoke about the grassroot levels of every organization adapting AI
for it to be successful. He said, "Traditional leadership has to unlearn and relearn AI
before coming to judgement about it."
Mr. Sambath Margabandhu, in support of Artificial Intelligence, said,
"Adaptability is the next new thing."
Mr. Padmanabhan Babu commented, “The important thing to address is, ‘Does AI
help me drive my sales growth?’ ”
Mr. Bhupendra Bhate said, "Before using AI, we need to understand the domain of
that industry".
Panel #2: Bankable India?
Dr. Susheela Venkataraman, former Technology Head at Asian Development Bank.
Prof. Ravi Kumar, Placement Head, SIBM Bengaluru
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, Consulting Editor of Mint.
Mr. Ravinder Beniwal, President, Aditya Birla Idea Payments Bank
Prof. Ravi Kumar started off the discussion saying that “Deposit penetration has
become the key driver for financial inclusion.”
“Digital and Financial Inclusion go hand in hand.”, said Dr. Susheela
Venkataraman, emphasising the role of technology in bringing about transformation.
“For Financial Inclusion, we need to make bank products friction free.” said Mr.
Ravinder Beniwal.
Mr. Tamal Bandyopadhay, highlighted the focal points for making Financial
Inclusion a reality. He said, “Financial Inclusion has to be profitable to be viable and
not from charity or CSR activities.”
Day 2
Keynote Speaker #3: Mr. Sunder Madakshira, Head-Marketing, Adobe India
Mr. Madakshira highlighted the significance of digitisation, and said “The question
for companies is not whether they'll become digital, it's when they'll become digital.”
He added, “The digital world offers more opportunities than it takes away.”
Keynote Speaker #4: Mr. S.R. Raghavendra Rao, Ex-head CMI Airports Planner, Airports
Authority of India
Mr. Rao inspired the students with his profound words. He said, “Ability and attitude
together in the proper proportion is what is needed.” He also congratulated SIBM
Bengaluru for providing the students the exposure to such stalwarts from the industry.
Panel #3: Good and Simple Tax?
Mr. Abhay Dadhich, AVP Finance - Business, SPAR India
Mr. Raviraj Rodrigues, Head Supply Chain, Wildcraft
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar, CEO, Green and Goods Store
Mr. Aravindan Ramachandran, Independent Consultant
Mr. Aravindan Ramachandran began the discussion by highlighting that several
issues had come up relating to people not compiling with GST norms.
Mr. Abhay Dadhich rightfully said, “GST will be beneficial in the long run, but for
now, the consumer is paying more. I agree that GST should have been implemented,
but the government could do a better job in rolling out the tax reform."
Ms. Aparna Bhatnagar corroborated by saying, “GST shouldn't be about meeting
the deadline, but should be about achieving it smoothly.”
“Post GST, regional differentiation by firms on the basis of taxes is passé.” said Mr.
Raviraj Rodrigues who spoke extensively about the various advantages of GST. He
added, “The larger discussion is, if you want the country to be tax compliant, GST is
the way to go.”
All in all, every speaker edified the students with their expert insights which will certainly
help them adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the country and find their way to success.
The management students gained a fresh perspective about changes in the market under the
light of the reforms brought about by the government.
Hardik Nikhare, Coordinator of the Conferences and Events Committee, said “We live in a
dynamic environment, a VUCA world, as some of the speakers said. What we tried to do
with this theme, ‘Vivartanam Bharate’, was to bring the experts on stage and encourage
students to be a part of this transformation rather than just being a mere witness to it.”
About SIBM Bengaluru:
Ever since its inception in 1978, SYMBIOSIS has been synonymous with progress. The trend
of progress has been continued by setting up of SIU’s first campus outside Maharashtra at
Bengaluru in 2008. SIBM Bengaluru is now one of the leading B-Schools of the country. The
focus, now, is on matching global standards of management education. SIBMB instills a
work culture which is unparalleled among various institutions. It provides a holistic approach
to management which goes a long way in creating a dynamic identity. Vibrant student
associations and committees complement the program with a number of activities involving
institute-industry interaction.
For additional information on subject of this release, please feel free to contact:
Leona Jennifer Ankita Chauhan
+91-9600037833 +91-9983714327
[email protected]
http://www.sibmbengaluru.edu.in/
SIBM Bengaluru, #95/1, #95/2, Electronics City, Phase-1, Hosur Road, Bengaluru – 560100.