The function started with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony by IIM Amritsar Director who is Prof Samir Kumar Srivastava and other dignitaries. During his inaugural address the Director spoke of how business objectives need to match human value-based principles. He further added that even though technology is revolutionising workplaces, the human element cannot be done away with. He valued the role played by Yukti in bridging the gulf between academic learning and actual industry standards.

Students Sumeha Chakraborty and Amay Agarwal introduced the conclave theme - The Evolving Social Contract at Work after the opening remarks. In their presentation, they emphasised how organisations are now moving away from rigid structures to employee wellness, trust and collaboration. They added that businesses with a backbone of courage, clarity and collaboration are likely to thrive in the new world of work.

Trisha Gulati who is the Global Head of People & Culture at Ajmal Perfumes chaired the first panel discussion. It delved into how relationships in the workplace are evolving particularly in hybrid offices. The panel debated the need for trust, autonomy, and a sense of belonging at work. Gulati spoke of how employees nowadays seek recognition, meaning, and human connection at work.

Panellist Monalisha, HR Director at Myntra, discussed the significance of aligning personal and professional values among employees. She also emphasised the significance of sharing tacit company knowledge. Sunil Naik who is the VP of HR for India and South Asia at DHL Global Forwarding, agreed with the concept of customised HR practices and learning from experience. The presentation concluded with a Q&A session where the audience engaged actively.

The second panel brought along a fresh theme HR as Custodian of Purpose and Sustainability. Students Vartika Shrivastava and Bhavya Awasthi set the session rolling by discussing how sustainability and ESG values are becoming increasingly core to HR leadership.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Prasanth Nair who is the CHRO of Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Group CHRO. He outlined that company culture is what brings real purpose. When individual objectives of employees meet company objectives it creates a deeper sense of purpose, motivation and organisational identity.

Other panellists were Amarjeet Singh who is the  CHRO of Kirloskar Oil Engines and Sumanta Chaudhuri who is the Vice President and Head of HR in Vodafone Idea. Chaudhuri portrayed HR as the conscience of the organisation where ethical decisions were made and purposeful action taken. He stressed that ESG practices need to be ingrained in the company culture. Singh supplemented that not only should sustainability be a target but everyone's responsibility across the organisation starting with developing the right mindset.