Bandhan in the midst of Jammu the City of Temples is a unique cultural immersion program created by IIM Jammu to facilitate social sensitisation, community bonding and celebration of Dogri culture and heritage. With the interplay of academic rigor and grassroots reality this one-of-a-kind curriculum offers students a life-changing learning experience. To start, 412 incoming MBA students will take part, split into sets of four or five and hosted by host families in the area. Over 100 families have shown interest and 100 families came out to the institute's ceremonial opening today indicating complete community support for this powerful cultural phenomenon. It started with a customary tilak, garlanding, and arti ceremony to express mutual respect and welcoming which was followed by a campus tour that introduced families to IIM Jammu's learning spaces, including the Nalanda Library, state-of-the-art classrooms and the Vedanta MDP Centre.

A number of guest-of-honour speakers were present on the occasion among them Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma (Retd.) Maj. Gen. Sunita Kapoor (Retd), Padma Shri awardees Dr S.P. Verma and Dr Jitender Udhampuri leaders from organisations such as the PHD Chamber of Commerce, Laghu Udyog Bharti and IIM Jammu faculty members and administrative staff.

Under the "Bandhan" project, students at IIM Jammu undergo experiential cultural activities to engage with the locals. This encompasses visiting households, eating with them and sharing stories with host families. They also engage in traditional music, crafts, rituals and food culture.

They are preceded by reflective presentations and discussions so that they understand better. Bandhan seeks to instill students with empathy, cultural understanding and sense of social responsibility and create connections between IIM Jammu and the community.

The function was brought to a close with a standing ovation to the dignitaries and the very first-of-a-kind Bandhan initiative, followed by the National Anthem. This was preceded with a group photograph. Shri Ankush Varma, CIO, Srinagar Campus, IIM Jammu, officiated the event and welcomed all the dignitaries and participants.

With Bandhan, IIM Jammu emphasises its resolve to create intellectually agile, culture-driven and emotionally sound leaders. The initiative is strongly in sync with the vision for Viksit Bharat visualised by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and is a reflection of how education can be utilised to promote human bonding, preservation of culture and reflective leadership.