It is a matter of immense privilege and pride to write this Editorial Note for the Platinum Jubilee Special Issue of Business Mandate, brought out on the momentous occasion of the Madras Management Association completing 70 glorious years of dedicated service to the management fraternity.
Founded in 1956 with just 12 visionary members, MMA has grown into one of India’s most respected and vibrant management associations, with over 8,000 members on its rolls. Over the decades, MMA has remained steadfast in its mission of promoting managerial excellence, thought leadership, innovation and professional development. Today, with over 800 programmes organised every year and the distinction of being recognised as the Best Management Association in India for 15 consecutive years, MMA stands tall as a beacon of excellence in the management movement of the country.
The Platinum Jubilee is not merely a celebration of the passage of time. It is a tribute to the vision of our founders, the commitment of our past presidents and office bearers, the continued support of our members, and the passion of Team MMA, who have together shaped this remarkable institution. It is also an occasion to reflect with gratitude, celebrate with pride, and look ahead with renewed purpose.
As part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations during the Annual General Meeting on 10 July 2026, MMA is privileged to launch several landmark initiatives, including the Platinum Jubilee MMA Awards for Managerial Excellence, the Special Platinum Jubilee Issue of Business Mandate, Volume 3 of Turning Points: Management Lessons from Legends, the Platinum Jubilee Coffee Table Book, and the Platinum Jubilee Logo. The occasion will also feature a special tribute to the past presidents of MMA, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the growth and stature of this great institution.
I extend my warm congratulations to the winners of the MMA Awards for Managerial Excellence 2026. The awardees were selected by an eminent panel of jury, supported by Deloitte as the Process Consultant. As part of the celebrations, the award recipients will also participate in a special seminar, where they will share their organisational journeys—stories of perseverance, innovation, excellence and transformational leadership. I am also delighted to present in this issue insightful articles on the award-winning organisations for the benefit and perusal of our members.
For me personally, it is indeed a special honour to be part of this historic milestone in the journey of MMA. As we celebrate 70 years of excellence, service and impact, we rededicate ourselves to MMA’s enduring mission of nurturing managerial excellence and contributing meaningfully to the progress of industry, institutions and society.
Let us join together in celebrating this landmark moment in MMA’s history and continue our collective journey towards greater excellence in the Platinum Jubilee Year and beyond.
Nurturing Minds, Shaping India’s Future
India’s greatest asset is not merely its natural resources, technology, or economic potential. It is its young population. With a large percentage of our citizens below the age of 25, India stands at the threshold of a powerful demographic opportunity—one that can transform the nation’s future if nurtured with care, compassion and purpose.
However, behind this promise lies a growing concern. Students today are under increasing pressure from academic competition, digital overexposure, social comparison, shrinking family support systems and the gradual erosion of traditional emotional anchors. While schools focus on learning and achievement, it is equally important that they become safe spaces where children feel heard, supported and emotionally secure.
Mental health is no longer a peripheral issue. It is central to education, character-building and nation-building. The recent emphasis, including the Supreme Court’s direction in 2025 for setting up a task force to address student mental stress, reminds us that the well-being of students must receive urgent and collective attention.
Parents and teachers play a crucial role in this journey. Children need more than instruction; they need encouragement, empathy and emotional scaffolding. A kind word, a listening ear, a supportive classroom and a caring home environment can make a profound difference in shaping a child’s confidence, resilience and outlook towards life.
At MMA, our CSR initiatives in schools are guided by this larger vision of student well-being. At P S North, with the generous support of Mr C Siva Kumar and Mrs Chitra Siva Kumar of Timelinks, we provide breakfast every day to all the children, ensuring that no child begins the day hungry or disadvantaged. With the support of Mr Seetharaman of Super Auto Forge, we are also helping create a conducive school infrastructure, comparable with the best, so that children learn in an environment that inspires dignity, confidence and aspiration.
Yet, we recognise that much more needs to be done. Supporting students is not only about providing facilities; it is about creating an ecosystem of care, nourishment, emotional strength and opportunity. As MMA celebrates 70 glorious years of service, we rededicate ourselves to this meaningful endeavour.
With the continued support of our well-wishers, partners and members, we are confident that we can contribute meaningfully to the mental, emotional and educational well-being of our children. In nurturing young minds, we are not merely supporting students—we are shaping the future of India.
E-Jagriti: Reimagining Consumer Justice in Digital India
India’s Digital journey has significantly expanded the role of technology in governance, public service delivery and citizen empowerment. From digital payments to online public services, technology is increasingly redefining the relationship between the citizen and the State. In this larger transformation, the Government of India’s E-Jagriti initiative stands out as an important step towards reimagining consumer justice for a new India.
For the Indian consumer, delayed justice has often been the greatest frustration. The process of seeking redressal has, at times, appeared slow, cumbersome and intimidating. While consumer protection in India has evolved over the years, the pace of change has not always matched the speed and complexity of a rapidly digitalising economy, where transactions are instant, markets are borderless, and consumer expectations are higher than ever before.
E-Jagriti is therefore more than a technology platform. It represents a shift in thinking. It places accessibility, transparency and efficiency at the centre of consumer dispute resolution. By enabling consumers to seek redressal through a more convenient and technology-enabled mechanism, E-Jagriti has the potential to make consumer justice faster, more inclusive and more citizen-friendly.
Efficient consumer dispute resolution is no longer merely an administrative objective. It is an economic necessity. A marketplace can grow sustainably only when consumers have confidence that their concerns will be heard and addressed fairly. Trust is the foundation of every strong economy, and responsive consumer protection strengthens both market discipline and responsible business practices.
As India moves towards becoming a digitally empowered economy, initiatives such as E-Jagriti remind us that technology must ultimately serve people. The true measure of digital governance lies not only in the sophistication of platforms, but in their ability to reduce hardship, improve access and deliver justice with dignity.
E-Jagriti is a welcome step forward in empowering consumers and strengthening trust in the marketplace. It points towards a future where consumer justice is faster, more transparent, more inclusive and better aligned with the aspirations of Digital India.
Chinese FDI: Balancing Capital, Competitiveness and Strategic Vigilance
India needs foreign capital to accelerate growth, build manufacturing scale and deepen its participation in global value chains. However, in an era of heightened geopolitical rivalry, foreign direct investment can no longer be viewed only through the lens of capital inflow. The strategic design, sectoral focus and long-term implications of investment also deserve careful attention—particularly when it comes to investments from China.
China’s global investment strategy has been shaped by its strong export base, large trade surpluses and its ambition to influence critical sectors, emerging technologies and supply chains across the world. Recent studies, including insights shared by Georgetown University, highlight the importance of understanding the deeper implications of Chinese FDI—not merely as financial investment, but as a potential instrument of technology access, market positioning and strategic influence. These findings are highly relevant for Indian policymakers, industry leaders and institutions at a time when economic opportunity and national security concerns increasingly intersect.
India certainly needs to attract investment, technology and manufacturing capabilities. At the same time, it must ensure that such inflows do not compromise strategic autonomy, domestic innovation or long-term technological competitiveness. While India may still lag behind China in certain frontier technology areas and industrial ecosystems, it is by no means a technology minnow. In select sectors, India has demonstrated strong capabilities, entrepreneurial energy, digital depth and world-class talent. The challenge is to convert these strengths into scalable innovation, resilient supply chains and globally competitive enterprises.
The way forward lies in a balanced and calibrated approach. India must remain open to capital and collaboration where it serves national interest, while exercising vigilance in sensitive sectors and critical technologies. The focus must be on building domestic capability, encouraging technology transfer, protecting innovation ecosystems and ensuring that strategic dependencies are not created in the name of short-term economic advantage.
In this context, MMA organised a thought-provoking presentation on “India in the China+1 Era: Navigating Global Supply Chains Amid Shifting Geopolitics” on 7 May 2026 at the MMA Management Center. The distinguished panel comprised Dr P S Srinivas, and Dr Frank N. Pieke, from NUS Singapore; and Mr Josh Foulger, President, Dixon Technologies India Limited.
The panel offered valuable perspectives on global supply chain shifts, India’s opportunities in the China+1 strategy, and the larger geopolitical and economic implications of Chinese investment. Their insights, published in this issue with an embedded video, will help readers understand the opportunities, risks and strategic choices before India.
As MMA celebrates its Platinum Jubilee, this conversation is both timely and relevant. India’s growth journey will require capital, technology and global partnerships—but above all, it will require wisdom, vigilance and confidence in our own capacity to innovate. The future belongs to nations that can welcome investment without surrendering strategic judgment, and build competitiveness without compromising national interest.
MSMEs: Beyond the Backbone — Building India’s Resilient Growth Engine
MSMEs are often described as the backbone of the Indian economy. While the phrase is familiar, its true significance deserves deeper reflection. MSME Day, observed every year in June, should not remain just another event in the calendar, but serve as a reminder of the sector’s immense contribution, challenges and untapped potential.
India’s MSME sector is diverse and complex. It includes family-run businesses, traditional enterprises, rural entrepreneurs, export-oriented units, start-ups and technology-driven manufacturers. Together, they contribute nearly 30% of India’s GDP, about 45% of exports, and remain one of the country’s most important sources of employment and entrepreneurship.
However, numbers alone do not tell the full story. Many MSMEs continue to face challenges such as limited access to credit, delayed payments, technology gaps, compliance burdens and market uncertainty. To unlock their full potential, we must go beyond simply “supporting MSMEs” and begin by understanding their realities, aspirations and pain points.
In a volatile global environment marked by uncertainty, shifting supply chains and rapid technological change, strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of MSMEs is a national priority. Recent initiatives of the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India to improve credit access, ease of doing business and digital adoption are important steps in this direction.
At MMA, we continue to address these issues through our programmes and outreach initiatives. Through the MMA–KAS Entrepreneurial Development Programmes, we reach out to MSMEs across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to empower entrepreneurs and build managerial capability.
As MMA celebrates its Platinum Jubilee, we reaffirm our commitment to the MSME sector; in strengthening MSMEs, we strengthen enterprise, employment, innovation and the economic future of India.
Demographic Dividend at Risk: India’s Call to Action on Jobs
India’s demographic dividend has long been regarded as one of its greatest strengths. A young and aspiring population can drive economic growth, innovation and national transformation. However, this promise can be realised only if India creates meaningful employment opportunities and improves the employability of its youth.
Today, India faces a serious jobs challenge—not only in terms of unemployment, but also in the quality, stability and dignity of work. Growing distress among casual labourers and informal workers reminds us that many remain outside the safety net of secure income, social protection and long-term financial stability.
A structural shift that was once visible, with workers moving from agriculture to more productive sectors, appears to have slowed and, in some cases, reversed. At the same time, unpaid and informal work often makes employment numbers look healthier than the reality on the ground.
The challenge becomes more urgent when we look ahead. By 2040, India will begin ageing significantly, with a large section of the current workforce nearing retirement. With informal employment still dominant, many workers may reach old age without adequate pension or social security support.
In this context, MMA organised a lively and thought-provoking discussion on “India Out of Work: Rethinking India’s Growth Story” by Prof Santosh Mehrotra on 22 June 2026 at the MMA Management Center. The distinguished panel comprising Mr Praveen Chakravarty, MP, Rajya Sabha; Dr V. Kumaraswamy, Columnist and Commentator; Dr A Kalaiyarasan, Giridhara Gopal, CEO, Addison, shared valuable insights on this critical issue.
I am delighted to present in this issue an article based on the discussion, along with the embedded video, for the benefit of our readers.
India’s jobs challenge should concern every citizen. Unless we act with urgency to expand employment opportunities, improve skills, strengthen manufacturing, support enterprise and enhance employability, India risks missing the full promise of its demographic dividend. The time for action is now.
India’s Monsoon Blues: A Wake-Up Call for Preparedness
The southwest monsoon is not merely a seasonal weather event for India. It is the lifeline of our agriculture, rural economy, water security and overall economic stability. Nearly 70% of India’s annual rainfall comes from the southwest monsoon, making its timely arrival and spatial distribution critical for kharif sowing, food production and rural livelihoods.
This year, the monsoon has begun on a worrying note. June 2026 recorded a sharp rainfall deficit of around 40%, far higher than earlier expectations, with the monsoon making a sluggish start after reaching Kerala with a three-day delay. While rainfall activity may improve as the season progresses, the early deficit is a reminder of the growing uncertainty around monsoon behaviour.
For a country where agriculture continues to support millions of livelihoods, any significant shortfall in rainfall has wider implications. It can affect sowing patterns, reservoir levels, groundwater recharge, food prices, rural demand and the broader economy. The concern is not only about total rainfall, but also about when and where the rain falls.
India cannot afford to treat monsoon variability as a routine annual concern. Climate uncertainty demands proactive planning, stronger forecasting, better water management, crop diversification, resilient infrastructure and timely contingency measures. Farmers, policymakers, businesses and communities must work together to reduce vulnerability and build preparedness.
The monsoon will always remain central to India’s growth story. The challenge before us is to ensure that our economy, agriculture and institutions become resilient enough to withstand its uncertainties. India’s monsoon blues must therefore be seen not as a passing worry, but as a wake-up call to plan better, conserve wisely and act with urgency.
CPCL–SOOPER–MMA Leadership Lecture Series: Inspiring Public Sector Leadership for Nation-Building
I am delighted to share that Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) has instituted the CPCL–SOOPER–MMA Leadership Lecture Series, to be organised every year on themes relevant to public sector leadership and nation-building.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser, Government of India. It was a highly insightful and thought-provoking address, setting the tone for a meaningful annual platform that will bring together distinguished leaders, professionals and young minds to reflect on the evolving role of public sector leadership in India’s growth journey.
In this issue, I am pleased to present the valuable insights shared during the discussion by Mr B Ashok, Former Chairman, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, and Dr Ashwin Mahalingam, Professor, IIT Madras. Their perspectives added depth to the conversation and highlighted the critical role of leadership, institutional excellence, sustainability and innovation in shaping the future of public sector enterprises.
On behalf of the MMA Managing Committee, I convey our heartfelt gratitude to Mr H Shankar, Managing Director, CPCL, for this timely and thoughtful gesture of instituting the CPCL–SOOPER–MMA Leadership Lecture Series. This initiative will go a long way in empowering management professionals, public sector leaders and young executives with ideas, insights and inspiration.
As MMA celebrates its Platinum Jubilee and 70 glorious years of service to the management movement, this collaboration with CPCL is both significant and timely. It reinforces our shared commitment to leadership development, professional excellence and nation-building.
I extend my warm wishes and heartfelt gratitude to all our members, Managing Committee members, past presidents, office bearers, well-wishers and Team MMA. MMA’s remarkable journey and achievements would not have been possible without your active support and commitment. Let us join together in celebrating this proud milestone and continue our collective effort to keep MMA the numero uno management association in India.
As always, we would be happy to hear your views, comments and suggestions.
Happy Reading!!
