Centre for Advanced Studies in Social Science and Management

15/08/2026

A celebration of freedom, talent and responsibility at Centre for Advanced Studies in Social Science and Management (IDC). 🇮🇳

The Centre for Advanced Studies in Social Science and Management, Chandigarh, celebrated Independence Day with patriotic fervour, bringing together academic excellence, creativity and student participation.

The celebrations began with the flag hoisting ceremony, followed by an inspiring address by Chief Guest Mr J.S. Kundal, IAS (Retd.). He spoke about the country's immense faith in its youth and encouraged students to become agents of meaningful social change through their ideas and actions. He also delighted everyone by singing his favourite song, Maine Tere Liye Hi.

Dr Pramod Kumar, Chairperson, IDC, encouraged students to stand against exploitation, communalism and social inequality, while reminding them that building strong skills must go hand in hand with becoming compassionate and responsible human beings.

Students from the MBA and MA (Economics) programmes added colour to the celebrations through traditional and fusion dance performances, poetry recitations and declamation speeches on diverse themes.

The Recognizing Budding Minds segment, organised by Dr Japneet Kaur, honoured outstanding student performers.

Poster Making Winners:
🥇 Saurabh Kumar
🥈 Mritunjay Singh
🥉 Dhairya Jain

Declamation Winners:
🥇 Naina Pathania
🥈 Prachi and Namandeep
🥉 Supriya

The prizes were distributed by Prof. H.S. Shergill and Prof. Meenakshi Malhotra, followed by the vote of thanks by Dr Japneet Kaur.

A meaningful Independence Day celebration that brought together learning, creativity, patriotism and a strong message of social responsibility.

Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇳

15/08/2026

From Freedom to Leadership.

This Independence Day, CASSM celebrates the spirit of freedom and the young minds who will carry India's journey forward.

Freedom gives us the opportunity to learn, grow and dream. Leadership is about using that opportunity with responsibility, purpose and courage.

As an institution focused on management and economics education, CASSM believes that the leaders of tomorrow need more than academic knowledge. They need curiosity, critical thinking, confidence and an understanding of the world around them.

To our students and the young generation of India, the future is yours to shape.

Keep learning. Keep thinking. Keep growing.

Happy Independence Day, India.

07/08/2026

AI and data are changing the way we work and make decisions. But human understanding still matters.

The recent Global Management in the Age of AI: Future Pathways session at CASSM, IDC, Chandigarh brought together industry and public-sector perspectives on what the future holds for young professionals.

Ritesh Gauba, CEO, Epigamia, spoke about AI, consumer behaviour and the importance of human instinct in making business decisions.

Amit Dhaka, IAS, CEO, Invest Punjab, highlighted the importance of confidence, skills and continuous learning in building a successful career.

The session also encouraged students to look beyond classroom learning and understand the realities of the world they are preparing to enter.

We are pleased to see the discussion receiving coverage across multiple newspapers.

These conversations are an important part of creating meaningful exposure for students and connecting management education with the changing world around us.

06/08/2026

The best education goes beyond textbooks.

How do students prepare for a rapidly changing world?

In this engaging interaction, Dr. Gary Malhotra, Chancellor (University Business School Sydney (UBSS), Australia) and Shri Anurag Verma (IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner, Punjab), share why internships, practical exposure, and real-world learning are just as important as classroom education.

The discussion highlights how projects on issues like plastic waste management and stubble burning help students apply their knowledge to real challenges. It also encourages young learners to think beyond boundaries, develop a global perspective, and continue learning through experience.

When students step outside the classroom, they gain more than knowledge. They build confidence, solve problems, and develop the skills needed to make a meaningful impact.

Watch the conversation to discover why practical learning remains one of the strongest foundations for future success.

Watch the exclusive highlights from the CASSM Induction & Orientati...

05/08/2026

The Induction and Orientation Programme 2026 at CASSM opened with an engaging keynote session by Sh. Manohara Kumar, CEO, Whole Time Director, and Board Member, Toppan Specialty Films Pvt. Ltd.

Speaking on “Redefining Management and Economics in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” he shared meaningful insights on sustainability, the future of manufacturing, global opportunities, and the importance of integrity, attitude, and continuous learning.

His interaction with students offered a real-world perspective on how industries are evolving and what tomorrow’s management graduates need to focus on.

A thoughtful and inspiring start to the new academic journey.

04/08/2026

In this interview, Ritesh Gauba, CEO of Epigamia, shares practical insights on health, branding, and decision-making.

He speaks about how protein awareness, balanced diets, and healthier lifestyles are becoming a bigger part of everyday life in India. He also explains why strong brands need to adapt to regional tastes while keeping one clear product identity.

One of the most important takeaways from the conversation is his view on AI. It is helpful, efficient, and powerful, but it should not become the final decision maker. In the end, instinct and market understanding still matter most.

A thoughtful conversation for students, marketers, and business leaders alike.

04/08/2026

How important is human instinct in the age of Artificial Intelligence?

This question took centre stage during the interaction session on "Global Management in the Age of AI: Future Pathways" at CASSM, IDC Chandigarh.

Ritesh Gauba, CEO, Epigamia, shared how AI and data are transforming business, but understanding human behaviour remains essential for creating products and services that truly connect with people.

He encouraged students to stay curious, challenge themselves every day, and build discipline for long-term success.

Joining the discussion, Amit Dhaka, IAS, CEO, Invest Punjab, reminded students that confidence, skills, and lifelong learning matter far more than background.

Dr. Pramod Kumar, Chairperson, IDC, emphasized that while AI is reshaping the future, it cannot replace human intelligence and reasoning. He also shared IDC's commitment to creating more opportunities where students can learn directly from industry leaders and policymakers.

The session was further enriched by Dr. Garry Malhotra, Chancellor, University Business School Sydney (UBSS), Australia, while Prof. Alan Bowen-James and Dr. Mrigakshi joined virtually from Australia.

A valuable exchange of ideas that connected classrooms with the realities of today's professional world.

30/07/2026

CASSM’s Induction and Orientation Programme 2026 began with meaningful addresses from distinguished voices across academia, industry, and public service.

Welcome Address: Dr. Chandan Awasthi highlighted CASSM’s academic philosophy of integrating academia, industry, policy, and research, with a focus on preparing students to be professionally competent and socially responsible.

Inaugural Address: Sh. Anurag Verma, IAS, appreciated the internship projects for their practical relevance and societal impact, and noted the value of linking academic learning with industry engagement.

Address by the Director, MBA Programme: Prof. Meenakshi Malhotra introduced CASSM’s interdisciplinary vision, bringing together social sciences, management, artificial intelligence, and public policy, along with experiential learning, industry orientation, and the UBSS exchange programme in Australia.

Student Project Presentations: The student projects on plastic waste management at Apni Mandis in Chandigarh and an AI-powered fire-to-air quality prediction platform reflected how learning can be applied to real-world sustainability and policy challenges.

Keynote Address: Sh. Manohar Kumar spoke about internship opportunities, industry-academia collaboration, experiential learning, and the practical skills students need for future careers.

Address by Prof. Nilesh Arora: He spoke about the academic structure and industry relevance of the CASSM and Chandigarh University programmes.

Address by Dr. Garry Malhotra: He highlighted the value of international education, cross-cultural learning, and global exposure through student exchange.

Valedictory Remarks: Prof. B.S. Ghuman closed by emphasizing faculty strength, holistic education, ethics, and social responsibility.

29/07/2026

Can a society truly move forward without first understanding its past?

In this thought-provoking article, Dr. Pramod Kumar, Chairperson of the Institute for Development and Communication (IDC), Chandigarh, reflects on Punjab's decades of conflict and the importance of truth, accountability, and reconciliation in building lasting peace.

The article explores how historical events continue to shape public life and why documenting every victim's experience, encouraging institutional accountability, and preserving collective memory are essential for a stronger future.

It also presents the idea of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Peace Memorial as meaningful steps towards healing and democratic resilience.

Read the article and share your perspective respectfully in the comments.

24/07/2026

Are we truly acting as active citizens, or have we let ourselves be reduced to just voters at election time?

In an insightful conversation with Hamir Singh Ji on P**aangh TV, Dr. Pramod Kumar, Director of IDC, unpacked the socio-political journey of Punjab, from the painful memories of the 1980s to the current political landscape.

Discussing the recent debate around the Jaswant Singh Khalra biopic, Dr. Kumar stressed that Punjab does not need more polarization; it needs genuine closure. He explained that true peace is not just the absence of violence, but the removal of the conditions that create violence. When the bureaucracy and legal systems failed in the past, political leaders escaped accountability while ordinary people across all communities paid the price.

Dr. Kumar emphasized that instead of sweeping history under the rug, society needs a formal Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Peace Memorial. More importantly, he warned against a political culture that trades long-term rights like healthcare and quality education for quick freebies.

Do you agree with Dr. Kumar that we need a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to finally bring closure to the past? Share your thoughts in the comments below. ਪੁਲਾਂਘ - ਇੱਕ ਉਮੀਦ

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