History was made yet again! The Madras Management Association has been conferred the prestigious Best Management Association in India Award by the All India Management Association (AIMA) for the year 2024–25.
This recognition, presented by Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Former Foreign Secretary of India, at the valedictory function of the 52nd National Management Convention held at Hotel Taj Palace, New Delhi, on 10th September 2025, marks an unparalleled 15th consecutive win for MMA.
Such a consistent record of excellence is rare and remarkable. It reflects MMA’s sustained contribution to the management movement in India and sets a benchmark that inspires other management associations across the country.
On behalf of the Managing Committee, the award was received by Mr. Lakshminarayanan, President, MMA, Mr. K. Mahalingam, Immediate Past President, MMA, and myself, as Executive Director of MMA.
This honour is not just MMA’s—it belongs to every member whose unwavering support has made this historic achievement possible. As we celebrate this proud milestone, we also renew our commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and impact—continuing to shape the future of management in India with the same passion and purpose that has brought us here.
“Celebrating Innovation for Every Indian”
The CavinKare–MMA ChinniKrishnan Innovation Awards 2025 once again paid tribute to the visionary spirit of Mr. Chinnikrishnan, the pioneer of the Sachet Revolution, who firmly believed that “what the affluent can enjoy, the common man should also be able to afford.” These awards are a fitting memorial to his legacy, celebrating innovations that make a real difference to society.
This year, the response was truly overwhelming, with over 300 nominations pouring in from innovators across the country. After a rigorous process, the awardees were selected by an eminent panel of jury, ensuring that only the most impactful and meaningful innovations were recognized.
The grand award ceremony, held in September 2025 at the IIT Madras Research Park Auditorium, spotlighted three exceptional innovators. These outstanding individuals now stand as the shining jewels in the crown of the Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards, carrying forward the torch of accessible and inclusive innovation.
In today’s rapidly changing world, the need for unwavering focus on innovation has never been greater—especially innovations that bridge divides and make products and services accessible to all.
The Chief Guest, Mr R Dinesh, Executive Chairman, TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited, delivered a thought-provoking address on innovation that inspired and ignited new ideas in the minds of all participants. His reflections reminded us that innovation is not only about technology but also about vision, empathy, and inclusivity.
I am delighted to present to you the article on Mr. Dinesh’s address, which also includes an embedded video for your viewing.
Together, let us continue to champion the spirit of innovation and build a future where ingenuity uplifts every section of society.
Navigating a Fractured World: India’s Strategic Position
Protests erupted in Nepal as countless young people descended onto the streets against Kathmandu’s ban on several social media platforms for failing to comply with registration requirements. Considering how deeply ingrained platforms like X, Instagram, and WhatsApp are in our daily lives, it seems inconceivable that they could be blocked. Millions remain dependent on foreign-run apps, making any attempt to reverse this reality nearly impossible. The incident highlights a larger truth: people today inherently view the freedom of online speech and association as a civil right.
Meanwhile, on the global stage, multiple flashpoints continue to reshape international dynamics. The unending Ukraine war, the one-sided Gaza conflict, U.S. President Trump’s tariff war on various nations, the Saudi–Pakistan Defence pact, and India’s evolving strategic challenges collectively signal attempts to rewrite geo-political, geo-economic, and geo-strategic realities.
In this complex context, MMA, in association with Policy Matters and KAS, organised a virtual seminar on “India’s Emerging Role in Evolving Global Dynamics.” The event featured a galaxy of eminent speakers, including Mr. M K Narayanan, Former Governor of West Bengal & Former National Security Advisor, who shared valuable perspectives on how India must position itself amidst these turbulent shifts.
I am delighted to present in this issue detailed articles from this seminar, accompanied by embedded videos. I invite you to read, reflect, and watch as we unpack India’s role in navigating today’s fractured yet opportunity-laden global order.
GST 2.0 – Building a Robust the Tax Foundation
To the credit of the GST Council, this round of reforms did not stop with the elimination of two rate slabs but went deeper, addressing several long-standing structural anomalies within the tax regime. This marks a critical step towards building a more transparent, predictable, and business-friendly taxation system.
But the journey is far from complete. The Council’s focus must now expand to other pressing areas — clarifying legislative ambiguities, streamlining input tax credit (ITC) flows, introducing joint or coordinated audits to enhance efficiency, and strengthening dispute settlement mechanisms. Equally important is investing in the training of officers, ensuring that reforms are not just on paper but reflected in consistent and fair implementation.
If these measures are taken up in a time-bound programme, GST 2.0 can become far more than just a reform of rates and procedures. It can serve as the backbone of India’s growth strategy, enabling businesses to operate with confidence, boosting investor sentiment, and driving efficiency in the economy.
As India marches toward the ambitious vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy, GST 2.0 is not merely a fiscal necessity but a strategic reform — one that has the potential to transform India’s tax landscape into a true enabler of competitiveness and inclusive growth.
AI: Hype, Hope, or Hard Reality?
Even as artificial intelligence (AI) has become the ultimate business buzzword, a new survey suggests that the actual gains from it have been marginal at best. According to the Atlassian 2025 AI Collaboration Index, 96% of the surveyed organizations reported seeing little or no improvement in efficiency, innovation, or work quality.
Interestingly, the survey also highlights India’s unique approach: Indians are the least likely to abandon AI if its results fall short. Instead, they are more likely than others to refine prompts, persist, and experiment until they derive value. This resilience suggests that while AI may take time to live up to the hype, India is at no risk of lagging behind other economies in adoption and usage.
It is in this context that the MMA Annual Students’ Convention 2025 has chosen the theme: “Future Ready: Leveraging AI, Agility & Human Skills to Thrive in a Changing World.” The convention aims to bring greater clarity to young minds on AI’s role, limitations, and future potential.
My compliments to Convention Chairman Mr. Manoj Joseph, Managing Director, Thejo Engineering Ltd., and our knowledge partner EY for putting together an outstanding programme scheduled on Monday, 27th October 2025, at the IIT Research Park Auditorium. With a full house already registered, this promises to be a truly engaging and thought-provoking event. For those unable to attend in person, do make sure to watch it live online.
Eyes in the Sky: Securing India’s Space Assets
Under a global treaty, outer space is meant to remain free of weapons of mass destruction. Yet, satellites — the silent sentinels orbiting above — have long played a decisive role in military actions on the ground.
This year’s India–Pakistan conflict underscored that reality. Data feeds from Indian orbiters provided critical intelligence, enabling Indian forces to strike targets deep inside Pakistani territory. Reports also suggest that our adversary may have relied on Chinese space assets for its operations. In response, India is reportedly planning the deployment of “Bodyguard” satellites to shield existing orbiters from potential threats.
While India enjoys a clear advantage over Pakistan in terms of satellite capability, the larger concern lies in the prospect of intelligence-sharing among multiple adversarial players. In such a scenario, space dominance is not just about superiority but also about survivability.
Nobody expects space to turn into a hot battlefield, but complacency is not an option. As geopolitical rivalries intensify, India must prepare to secure its satellites against emerging threats — ensuring that our “eyes in the sky” remain vigilant, resilient, and beyond the reach of hostile interference.
Family Offices: Guardians of Wealth, Catalysts of Entrepreneurship
Family offices are fast emerging as the cornerstone of preserving and growing wealth, nurturing entrepreneurship, and strengthening governance in family-owned businesses. As India’s business landscape matures, family offices are evolving from being passive wealth managers to becoming active drivers of innovation, investment, and long-term sustainability.
In this context, Great Lakes Institute of Management, in association with Madras Management Association, is hosting a special conclave on 9th October 2025 on the theme “Creating Entrepreneurial Families – The Role of Family Offices.” The event will feature Mr C K Ranganathan, Chairman & Managing Director, CavinKare Pvt Ltd as the Chief Guest who will share his perspectives on the future and growing importance of family business offices in India.
This conclave promises to offer valuable insights for family business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals keen on understanding how family offices can play a transformative role in shaping India’s business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
If you are a part of a family business and would like to know more about this issue, please call Mr. Sundar from MMA at 9840123906 to register your participation at the conclave.
As always, we would be happy to hear your views, comments and suggestions.
Happy reading!
