STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu, under the visionary leadership of Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, continued its flagship Bandhan Cultural Immersion Program across the Jammu region on October 25-26, 2025.
The two-day initiative aimed at fostering cultural understanding and strengthening the bond between students and the local Dogra community witnessed overwhelming participation and enthusiasm from both sides.
As part of this unique initiative, 81 Dogra families from Jammu graciously hosted IIM Jammu students for a one-day cultural immersion experience spread across two days.
On Day 2 (October 26), 180 students from the MBA and MBA (Healthcare) programs visited 35 Dogra families, engaging in deep cultural learning and heartfelt interactions.
On Day 1 (October 25), 236 students visited 46 Dogra families, experiencing the warmth, hospitality, and cultural richness of Jammu’s Dogra heritage.
Inaugurated earlier on July 25, 2025, by Prof. Sahay, the Bandhan Cultural Immersion Program is the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, designed to turn society into a living classroom. Four students were hosted by each family, allowing them to experience grassroots culture, traditional Dogra values, community bonding, and the essence of value-based living.
Speaking about the initiative, Prof. B. S. Sahay stated that Bandhan is not merely an academic activity but a “soulful bridge” connecting people and cultures.
He emphasized that IIM Jammu embodies a “Mini India with a Global Vision” – rooted in Dogra heritage and aligned with the national mission of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Prof. Sahay underlined that education must extend beyond classroom walls and that true leadership emerges from understanding people, society, and culture. The initiative, he said, seeks to nurture socially responsible leaders through cultural immersion, social sensitivity, community engagement, and emotional development.
During their visits, students interacted with a wide cross-section of society- Army veterans, gallantry awardees, artists, entrepreneurs, social activists, educationists, sportspersons, and administrators. They learned about Dogra folk traditions, family values, and cultural heritage while enjoying authentic local cuisine. One student group even witnessed a traditional Dogra wedding, gaining firsthand insight into local customs and rituals.
Host families appreciated the initiative and expressed pride in sharing their traditions with the future leaders of India. Students reflected that the experience left a profound emotional impact, enriching their understanding of India’s cultural fabric and diversity.
The Bandhan Cultural Immersion Program reinforces IIM Jammu’s commitment to holistic, value-based education, bridging academia and society while promoting cultural harmony and national integration. The program was effectively coordinated by Ankush Varma, Chief Innovation Officer, IIM Jammu Srinagar Campus.