The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal inaugurated the three-day annual business fest “Coalescence 24: Climate Dash to Net Zero”. With its theme, ‘Climate Dash to Net Zero,’ on Thursday. The event emphasizes the critical importance of addressing climate change and striving for ambitious net-zero goals.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr Sibi Chakkravarthy M (IAS), Secretary, Govt. Madhya Pradesh (Department of Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion Department of Transport); S Ramanathan, Executive Director, BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) and Dr K. Ravichandran, Director, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
With the participation of an enthusiastic cohort of 69 students from prestigious institutes nationwide, this conclave commenced an inspiring start. In his inaugural address, Dr Chakkravarthy emphasized the importance of active participation in such conclaves, highlighting their significant role in enhancing students' industrial and entrepreneurial skills. He emphasized the journey from ideation to enterprise, encouraging participants to establish ventures that contribute positively to society through innovative ideas.
Additionally, Ramanathan engaged in a discussion on sustainable development with students, highlighting BHEL's green initiatives. Furthermore, Dr K. Ravichandran, Director of IIFM, highlighted the significance of embracing sustainable habits and environmentally friendly behavioural changes through the Mission LiFE initiative by the Government of India.
The inaugural day showcased several competitions including a Leadership Talk, panel discussion, and case study competition. During the Leadership Talk session, Mr. Amit Raje, Founder and Director of AIC-RTech, delivered a lecture on "Sustainable Technology and Corporate Sustainability Initiatives." Following this, a panel discussion was held on "Investing for a Sustainable Future – Driving the Transformation towards a Green Business Ecosystem."
The panel included distinguished personalities - Mr Raj Ganguly (Senior Agribusiness Specialist, The World Bank); Mr Kapil Dev (Chief Business Officer, National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange) and Mr Pankaj Kumar (Managing Director, Enviance). They emphasized the importance of inclusive growth and sustainability in creating value propositions within the markets.
