XIM Bhubaneswar Hosts X-EMINENCE 2025
By Prasanna Kumar Paikaray
Bhubaneswar, Jan. 15: Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar organized X-EMINENCE 2025, The 6th edition of the annual business conclave of EMBA on 11thh January, 2025. The theme for this year was “Reimagining the future.”
The conclave was graced by the presence of esteemed leaders and distinguished guests, including Mr. Manish Pandeya, Partner – Consulting at Deloitte; Mr. Arnav Banerjee, Director – Supply Chain AI at Micron Technology; Mr. Avinash Samal, Head of HR (T&D) at Tata Consultancy Services; Deputy Registrar Fr. V. Arockiya Das, SJ; and Associate Dean of EMBA XIM University, Prof. S. S. Ganesh. Their invaluable insights and expertise enriched the event, making it a truly memorable and impactful gathering.
The conclave was divided into two sessions. The first session of the conclave began with the traditional lighting of the lamp, creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere. Prof. S. S. Ganesh and Fr. V. Arockiya Das, SJ, opened the event with thoughtful remarks, providing an overview of the theme and its importance. The session was seamlessly guided by Prof. Soumyajyoti Datta, whose moderation ensured smooth transitions and kept the discussions engaging. The first speaker of the day, Mr. Manish Pandeya, kicked off the event with his insightful address, setting the tone for an enriching series of talks. He exclaimed that, as humans, we never thought we’d be able to talk to someone on the phone while traveling on a train or flying in an airplane, but here we are today.
Mr. Arnav Banerjee, the second speaker of the session, began by highlighting the need to reflect on the past in order to shape the future effectively. He emphasized that without the ability to unlearn, we are doomed, stressing that unlearning, relearning, and continuous learning must go hand in hand for true progress.
The session’s final speaker, Mr. Avinash Samal, emphasized that individuals who fail to upskill and adapt to change risk become redundant, while those who are willing to learn, evolve, and envision the future remain unaffected by disruptions. He pointed out that before asking whether we can do something, we often limit ourselves by saying, “I cannot do this.”
The session was followed by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Prof. Soumyajyoti Datta. Following this, the floor was opened for an interactive question-and-answer session, where eager students could ask questions. The session concluded with a sincere vote of thanks from Prof. Soumyajyoti Datta, who expressed gratitude to all the speakers and participants for their valuable insights and contributions.
The second session of the conclave was moderated by Mr. Bhaskar Basu, who ensured a seamless flow of discussions and maintained an engaging atmosphere throughout. The first speaker, Mr. Sharat Chandra, Founder of Empower Edge Venture, delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking address. He began with the assertion that “The future is already here,” highlighting emerging trends and the transformative power of technology.
The second speaker of the session, Mr. Sachin Gangwar, Head of Sustainability at Tata Consultancy Services, delivered an insightful talk on the critical importance of sustainability in today’s world. He outlined the key drivers of sustainability, beginning with the legal mandates that require companies to actively reduce their carbon footprint, compelling them to take sustainability seriously.
The final speaker of the session, Ms. Sandhya Ramasubramanian, Senior Vice President – Finance at Anand Rathi Wealth Ltd., delivered an enlightening address on the fundamentals of finance and wealth management. She began by explaining the basic thumb rule of finance: greater returns come with greater risk, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making in investments.
The session was followed by an engaging panel discussion skillfully moderated by Mr. Bhaskar Basu, who steered the conversation toward emerging trends, including the digital product passport introduced by the EU and its potential benefits for students. The panel provided thoughtful responses, shedding light on the topic’s relevance and implications. Following this, the floor was opened for an interactive question-and-answer session, where enthusiastic students posed insightful questions, further enriching the discussion. The event concluded with a thank-you note from Mr. Bhaskar Basu, who expressed his gratitude to the esteemed speakers, participants, and audience for their valuable contributions to the success of the session.
