It is a moment of immense pride and satisfaction that Madras Management Association (MMA) has once again been conferred the prestigious AIMA Best Management Association in India Award for 2025–26, marking an extraordinary 16th consecutive year of national recognition.
The cover of this issue of Business Mandate captures this momentous occasion, with MMA receiving the coveted award from Mr Amitabh Kant at AIMA’s Platinum Jubilee National Management Convention held in New Delhi on 21 September 2026.
On behalf of the MMA Managing Committee, the award was received by Mr Lakshminarayanan Duraiswamy, Immediate Past President, MMA; Mr A R Unnikrishnan, President, MMA; and myself, Gp Capt R Vijayakumar (Retd), VSM, Executive Director, MMA.
This remarkable achievement is a tribute to the visionary guidance and unwavering support of our President and Managing Committee, the dedication and commitment of Team MMA, and the continued encouragement of our members, partners and well-wishers.
Above all, it reflects MMA’s relentless pursuit of innovation, out-of-the-box initiatives, extraordinary outreach and purpose-driven programmes that create meaningful impact across diverse sections of society.
Sixteen consecutive years of excellence is not merely a record to celebrate, but a responsibility to raise the bar even higher. This recognition strengthens our resolve to remain the “Fountainhead of World-Class Management Excellence” in this part of the country and beyond.
Our sincere gratitude to everyone who has been part of this extraordinary journey. The recognition inspires us; the responsibility drives us forward.
MMA All-India Management Students’ Convention 2026
Celebrating 25 Years of Inspiring Future Leaders
The world of business and management is undergoing a profound transformation. Artificial Intelligence, technological disruption, geopolitical uncertainty, changing workforce expectations and the growing emphasis on sustainability are fundamentally redefining how organisations operate and leaders make decisions. In this rapidly evolving environment, the challenge before management education is no longer merely to prepare students for their first job, but to equip them with the mindset, skills and values to remain relevant, resilient and successful throughout their careers.
It is against this backdrop that Madras Management Association (MMA) is delighted to organise its 25th All-India Management Students’ Convention – Silver Jubilee Edition, on Monday, 12 October 2026, at Valluvar Kottam Auditorium, Chennai, on the highly relevant theme “Future-Ready Leadership: Reinventing Management for a Changing World.”
Over the past 25 years, this flagship initiative of MMA has evolved into a vibrant national platform connecting aspiring managers with distinguished leaders from industry, academia and entrepreneurship. This Silver Jubilee edition is particularly significant as we celebrate a quarter-century of nurturing young managerial talent and inspiring the next generation of leaders.
The theme of this year’s Convention conveys a powerful message: the leaders of tomorrow cannot rely solely on the knowledge and competencies of yesterday. As AI and automation reshape industries and employment, future managers must combine technological fluency with creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability and, above all, ethical judgement. Technology will undoubtedly transform the way we work, but it is human ingenuity, empathy and leadership that will determine how wisely we harness its potential.
The Convention’s thoughtfully curated sessions will explore the journey from campus to entrepreneurship, transforming organisations in an AI-driven world, building future-ready careers and developing adaptive leadership capabilities to thrive amid change and uncertainty. Together, these discussions aim to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry expectations while encouraging students to become not merely jobseekers, but innovators, entrepreneurs and responsible leaders.
The Convention also provides an exciting platform for students to demonstrate their talents through a series of management competitions, culminating in the much-awaited “Chanakya – The Mastermind” Grand Finale, which continues to attract enthusiastic participation from management institutions across the country.
I place on record my sincere appreciation to CA M P Vijay Kumar, Convention Chairman, Executive Director & Group CFO, Sify Technologies Ltd, and the members of the Convention Committee for their outstanding efforts in conceptualising the theme, designing the programme and bringing together an impressive galaxy of distinguished speakers.
Our heartfelt thanks are also due to Marsh, our Knowledge Partner, for their valuable association and support. I particularly appreciate the guidance and contribution of Ms Anita Ramachandran, Founder, Cerebrus Consultants and Advisor, Marsh, whose rich experience and insights have greatly enriched the conceptualisation and content of this year’s Convention. My sincere gratitude also goes to our sponsors, partners, participating institutions and the dedicated Team MMA for their continued commitment to making this landmark edition a memorable success.
We are especially encouraged by the overwhelming response from management institutions across India, with over 1,500 students and faculty members expected to participate in person, complemented by thousands more joining through MMA’s digital platforms. Such enthusiastic participation reinforces our conviction that young India is eager to learn, innovate and lead.
To commemorate this Silver Jubilee milestone, MMA is delighted to present this special digital edition of Business Mandate, featuring thought-provoking perspectives and insights on contemporary management issues and the emerging challenges and opportunities facing business leaders.
As we celebrate 25 years of this remarkable journey, one message stands out: the future will not belong merely to those who understand change, but to those who have the courage, competence and character to lead it.
My best wishes to every delegate for an inspiring, engaging and enriching Convention experience. May the ideas, interactions and insights gained here inspire you to pursue excellence, embrace lifelong learning and emerge as purposeful leaders who will shape the future of business and society.
The future is not something we simply inherit. It is something we have the responsibility to create.
70 Skills in 24 Hours – A Memorable Celebration of Learning and Excellence
As part of MMA’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, we successfully organised a truly unique and memorable initiative — the “Round-the-Clock 24×7 Non-Stop Management Carnival”, featuring 70 essential management and life skills delivered through 70 engaging sessions over 24 uninterrupted hours, from 24 to 25 September 2026, at the MMA Management Center, Chennai.
The Carnival was an outstanding success, with enthusiastic participation and a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day and night, including the midnight and early-morning sessions. It was particularly heartening to witness the auditorium remaining well attended throughout the 24 hours, reflecting the remarkable commitment of participants to continuous learning.
The programme attracted over 1,300 participants in person and more than 12,000 viewers online, with eminent professionals, trainers and thought leaders sharing valuable insights on leadership, artificial intelligence, communication, emotional intelligence, innovation, resilience, personal effectiveness and several other contemporary themes.
This ambitious initiative, made possible through nearly three months of meticulous planning, demonstrated the power of teamwork, collaboration and innovative thinking. My sincere appreciation to our President, Managing Committee, distinguished speakers, partners, volunteers and the dedicated Team MMA, whose collective commitment made this extraordinary learning marathon a resounding success.
More than an event, the Carnival was a celebration of MMA’s enduring belief that learning must transcend conventional boundaries of time, age and profession. It reaffirmed our commitment to being the Fountainhead of World-Class Management Excellence.
For those who could not join us, and for participants wishing to revisit the inspiring sessions, I encourage you to watch the recordings of this remarkable initiative through MMA’s digital platforms.
Watch the MMA Platinum Jubilee 24-Hour Management Carnival.
“The Carnival Concludes. The Learning Continues.”
Indeed, the 24 hours may have ended, but the inspiration and learning will continue to resonate for years to come.
Beyond the Hurdles – Celebrating the Champion’s Mindset for Leadership Excellence
It was indeed a proud and memorable occasion for Madras Management Association (MMA) to honour Ms Vithya Ramraj, Indian Olympian, Asian Games medallist and national record holder, at a special programme titled “Beyond the Hurdles – The Champion’s Mindset for Leadership Excellence”, organised in association with TimeLinks and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung at the MMA Management Center, Chennai.
Vithya’s extraordinary journey from modest beginnings in Coimbatore to the international sporting arena is truly inspiring. Her remarkable performance at the recent Asian Games, where she surpassed the legendary P. T. Usha’s long-standing national record in the 400m hurdles and secured Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, is a shining example of what determination, discipline and perseverance can accomplish.
The highlight of the evening was a fascinating conversation between Vithya and Padma Shri Mr Achanta Sharath Kamal, India’s celebrated table tennis legend. Their engaging interaction offered invaluable lessons on resilience, mental strength, teamwork, sustained preparation and performing under pressure — qualities that are equally indispensable for leadership excellence in business and management.
What stood out was the powerful message that champions are not made overnight; excellence is the outcome of consistent effort, an unwavering commitment to improvement and the courage to overcome setbacks. Vithya’s humility, determination and deep appreciation for her family, coaches and mentors made her journey even more inspiring.
My sincere appreciation to Mr C Siva Kumar and Ms Chitra Sivakumar of TimeLinks for their enthusiastic support and for facilitating this exceptional programme at MMA. Our sincere thanks to Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, our valued Partner in Excellence, and to Mr Achanta Sharath Kamal for making the evening truly memorable.
The overwhelming response from MMA members and the inspiring interaction with these two outstanding sporting personalities reaffirmed an important lesson: leadership excellence, much like sporting excellence, is built on discipline, resilience, teamwork and the relentless pursuit of higher goals.
I urge our readers, particularly young managers and aspiring leaders, to watch this inspiring conversation and draw valuable lessons from the remarkable journey of a true champion.
Watch the inspiring conversation:
Beyond every hurdle lies an opportunity to rise higher. The champion’s mindset is not merely about winning medals, but about inspiring others to achieve excellence.
GST 2.0 – A Welcome Step Towards a Simpler, Trust-Based Tax Regime
The latest round of GST reforms recommended by the GST Council deserves a hearty welcome. Following the significant rationalisation of GST rates in September 2025, which provided an important stimulus to consumption, the Council has now turned its attention to an equally critical dimension of tax reform — simplifying procedures, reducing compliance burdens and fostering greater trust between taxpayers and tax authorities.
The reforms announced in October 2026 represent a welcome shift towards a more business-friendly tax administration. Simplified registration procedures, faster processing of refunds, rationalisation of penalties, greater safeguards against excessive enforcement and the proposed removal of arrest provisions under GST are measures that could significantly improve the ease of doing business. Particularly for MSMEs, startups and small entrepreneurs, these changes promise much-needed relief from procedural complexities and uncertainty.
What makes these reforms particularly significant is the underlying philosophy — moving from an enforcement-driven approach towards a trust-based, technology-enabled and taxpayer-friendly system. While some of these measures may be long overdue, they reflect a growing recognition that sustainable tax revenues are best achieved not merely through higher rates or stricter enforcement, but through simplicity, transparency and voluntary compliance.
The immediate fiscal implications of these reforms must be viewed against their potential long-term benefits. A simpler tax regime can encourage more businesses to enter the formal economy, broaden the tax base, improve compliance and ultimately strengthen government revenues.
For the States, too, the path towards stronger public finances lies not necessarily in extracting more from existing taxpayers, but in creating an environment where businesses can grow, comply willingly and contribute more meaningfully to economic development.
Above all, these reforms reaffirm the spirit of cooperative federalism, which has been the cornerstone of India’s indirect tax transformation. The willingness of the Centre and States to work together towards a more efficient and equitable tax framework is both encouraging and commendable.
The real test, however, will lie in effective implementation. The reforms must translate into tangible improvements in the everyday experience of taxpayers, supported by responsive administration, technological reliability and consistent interpretation of tax laws.
GST 2.0 must ultimately be judged not merely by how much revenue it collects, but by how effectively it facilitates enterprise, strengthens trust and promotes economic growth.
A welcome initiative indeed — and an important step towards making India’s tax system simpler, fairer and more conducive to business excellence.
Geopolitical Realignment – Implications for Regional Stability and Global Peace
The evolving geopolitical landscape in West Asia has taken a significant turn with Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan activating their trilateral Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, signed in August 2026, in response to escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. The agreement, which incorporates a NATO-style collective defence commitment, represents a new dimension in regional security cooperation.
However, this strategic alignment raises more questions than it answers. Much will depend on how Iran responds, the extent of military engagement by the three countries and whether their respective national interests can be reconciled with their collective security commitments. History reminds us that military alliances, once activated, rarely unfold entirely according to the expectations of their signatories.
Beyond the immediate security implications, prolonged instability in West Asia could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets, international trade, investment confidence and economic growth, including for India.
The real challenge for political leaders is to exercise strategic restraint, avoid miscalculations and ensure that short-term security considerations do not undermine long-term regional peace.
Ultimately, the true measure of a successful alliance lies not merely in its ability to deter conflict, but in its capacity to preserve peace.
As always, we would be delighted to receive your views, comments and suggestions.
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating MMA’s Platinum Jubilee through the many special programmes and initiatives planned throughout the year. Happy Reading!!
