India, the World T20 Champion!
India @ 2035: Charting the Road to Global Leadership
MMA’s flagship event—Annual Convention 2026—was organised on the theme “India @ 2035: Driving Progress in a Changing Global Paradigm.” At a time when global economy is being reshaped by rapid technological disruption, geopolitical shifts, climate imperatives, and evolving supply chains, the Convention explored how India can position itself as a major engine of global growth in the coming decade.
The Convention brought together distinguished economists, policymakers, industry leaders, and management thinkers for a series of six insightful sessions examining the key drivers of India’s future progress. Discussions focused on critical themes including growth arenas for India, future-ready talent and skills, resilient institutional foundations, innovation and R&D, and the evolving DNA of leadership required in a rapidly changing world.
In this cover story of Business Mandate, we present highlights from these sessions, including a special address by Dr C. Rangarajan, Former RBI Governor, capturing the insights and perspectives shared by eminent speakers, along with embedded videos, on India’s journey towards 2035 and beyond. We invite you to explore these perspectives and reflect on the opportunities that lie ahead for India.
MMA Women Managers Convention 2026
Women’s Day is not merely a celebration of gender; it is a recognition of a powerful force that sustains families, strengthens societies, and contributes to building a progressive nation. True empowerment goes beyond physical strength—it reflects resilience, compassion, wisdom, and the courage to lead with purpose.
The theme of this year’s Convention, “Women Leading with Purpose, Power and Generosity,” reflects the growing influence of women who are redefining excellence across sectors—corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, governance, science, personal branding, and sports. Across the world, women are breaking barriers, leading organizations with resilience, and inspiring society with achievements that demonstrate how progress accelerates when opportunity meets purpose.
Aligned with the International Women’s Day 2026 theme, “Give to Gain,” the Convention celebrates the spirit of generosity, mentorship, and collective growth. When individuals and institutions share knowledge, create opportunities, and advocate for inclusion, they build ecosystems where leadership flourishes and future generations thrive.
Authentic leadership lies at the heart of this journey. Women often feel the pressure to conform to traditional expectations in professional environments. This Convention highlights the importance of embracing authenticity—recognizing that individuality, confidence, and self-belief are powerful drivers of leadership impact.
The MMA Women Managers Convention 2026, on Saturday, 14 March 2026 at the MMA Management Center, will bring together inspiring women leaders, innovators, and change-makers for thought-provoking discussions and practical insights. With the dedicated leadership of Dr Sandhya Shekhar, Convention Chairperson, and the organising committee, we have curated a distinguished line-up of speakers who will share experiences, ideas, and strategies to empower women managers to lead with confidence and purpose.
I warmly welcome all delegates joining us in person and online, and dedicate this special Convention issue of Business Mandate to the inspiring women leaders who continue to shape the future.
Unlocking India’s Women Dividend: From Education to Economic Empowerment
MMA organised a unique conclave on the theme “Unlocking India’s Women Dividend: Accelerating the Journey from Education to Economic Empowerment” in association with Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai. The conclave focused on one of the most critical questions for India’s growth story—how to enable more women, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, to transition successfully from education to meaningful employment in urban centres.
Two insightful research white papers were launched during the conclave. The first, “Young Adults at Work in India: Intense Work for Some, Insufficient Jobs for Many,” highlights the paradox of India’s labour market, where some young adults experience demanding work schedules while many others struggle to find adequate employment opportunities, pointing to the urgent need to bridge the gap between education, skills, and jobs.
The second paper, “Unlocking Women’s Employment Through Safe Housing: Lessons from Tamil Nadu’s Thozhi Hostels,” underscores the critical role of safe and affordable accommodation in enabling women to migrate for education and employment, thereby strengthening their economic participation.
The launch was followed by a stimulating panel discussion with distinguished leaders who shared practical insights from their organisational experiences.
In this special issue, we are pleased to present the links to the white papers and the video recording of the conclave. I encourage our readers to explore these insights and join the collective effort to create more inclusive pathways for women in the workforce.
India, the World T20 Champion!
India has once again lived up to the expectations of over a billion people by emerging as the No. 1 T20 team in the world and lifting the coveted World Championship. The journey to the title was not without challenges. The team faced several hurdles along the way, including a setback against South Africa, but great teams are defined by their ability to rise above adversity. The Indian team demonstrated remarkable resilience and remained focused on the larger goal.
What stood out throughout the tournament was the team’s fearless approach to the game. The players performed with confidence and clarity, setting a new benchmark in their mindset—never allowing the fear of failure to dictate their game.
Equally noteworthy was the unwavering belief shown by the team management in their players. Even when some players were not performing consistently, the leadership continued to back them, and many rose to the occasion at crucial moments to contribute to the team’s success.
As the coach aptly remarked, sometimes a score of 97 by an individual can be as valuable as two boundaries at the end, reminding us that every contribution—big or small—can make the decisive difference in achieving a collective goal. This is a valuable management lesson for all of us: trust, resilience, and teamwork are the foundations of success.
Congratulations, Team India! The nation is immensely proud of you.
AI and the Changing Nature of Conflict
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming many aspects of modern life, including the nature of warfare and geopolitical strategy. Leading geopolitical thinkers and policy experts have increasingly called for greater scrutiny and accountability from technology companies developing advanced AI models. Some have even proposed global audit mechanisms and binding policy frameworks, similar in spirit to the Treaty on the Non‑Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to ensure that AI technologies are not misused in military conflicts.
While organisations such as OpenAI have stated that they have voluntarily drawn ethical red lines in the development and deployment of AI, the larger question remains: will leading AI nations such as the United States, China, and India work collectively towards global norms or even a form of “AI disarmament” for offensive military applications?
At the same time, the use of AI in defensive battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and decision support systems is likely to continue to evolve. These developments make it imperative for leaders, policymakers, and professionals to better understand the capabilities and implications of this transformative technology.
In this context, MMA organised an engaging discussion on “AI – For the Rest of Us: An Illustrated Introduction,” designed to demystify AI and help audiences understand its opportunities, risks, and broader societal impact.
Geopolitics in Turbulent Times: The Iran Conflict and Its Global Fallout
The escalating confrontation involving Israel, the United States and Iran is placing unprecedented strain on the regional security architecture that has long depended on American strategic guarantees. Iran has demonstrated its readiness to retaliate beyond its borders, while several Gulf states are reassessing the implications of their close defence partnerships with Washington. The situation underscores how quickly regional tensions can reverberate across global political and economic systems.
The policy approach of Donald Trump towards Iran has largely been anchored in pressure and deterrence — combining sanctions, military signalling and strong public messaging. Having entered his second term with a promise to avoid prolonged wars in the Middle East and to limit US military involvement in regional conflicts, the evolving crisis places the administration in a delicate position. Any retreat could be interpreted as weakness, while escalation risks widening the conflict into a larger regional confrontation. One enduring lesson from such developments is that national security cannot simply be purchased or outsourced; it must be continuously strengthened through strategic foresight and partnerships.
For businesses and policymakers alike, geopolitical turbulence carries significant implications. Supply chains, energy markets, global trade routes and investment flows can all be affected by instability in a region that remains central to the world’s energy and security dynamics.
Recognising the importance of understanding these developments, the MMA organised a special lecture on “Weathering the Trumpstorm: Business Strategy in a Tariff-First World” by Ajay Bisaria, IFS (Retd), Strategic Consultant, Author and Commentator on International Affairs. Drawing upon his diplomatic experience and deep understanding of global affairs, Ambassador Bisaria shared thought-provoking insights on the changing geopolitical landscape and its implications for business strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.
Readers are invited to watch the lecture video.
