In order to pay tribute to the management guru and Padma Shri awardee Dr Pritam Singh on his birth anniversary, November 19, JK Lakshmipat University (JKLU), Jaipur, held its maiden edition of the Management Guru Day. The virtual event remembered the immense contribution of Dr Singh as a Board Member right from the inception of the university and also felicitated renowned scholar, internationally-acclaimed thought leader, and Padma Bhushan awardee Dr Jagdish Sheth for his exemplary achievements.
Acknowledging contributions
Dr Singh, prior to his demise in June 2020 following a cardiac arrest, served as independent Director in several private companies, was a former Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Lucknow, and a former Professor and Dean at IIM Bangalore. Besides serving the board of JKLU, he was also associated with Hero MotoCorp Ltd, Godrej Properties Ltd, and Parsvnath Developers Ltd.
JKLU held a prayer meeting on June 9, six days after his death, and Bharat Hari Singhania, President, JK Organisation, had announced that the university will commemorate Dr Singh’s birth anniversary every year as Management Guru Day. Incidentally, November 19 is also remembered globally as the birth anniversary of American management consultant, educator, and author Dr Peter Drucker, who had a colossal impact on management theory.
“JKLU and Dr Pritam Singh’s association goes right from the inception of the university. He often visited the university and talk to faculty members so that everybody can be proud of the university’s vision. We met him in March in the board meeting and never knew that it would be our last meeting. He was very close to our fraternity, both professionally and personally. We are very happy to celebrate his birth anniversary as the Management Guru Day and honour talent from the field of management. So, when we approached Dr Jagdish Sheth and narrated him our thought process, he didn’t even take a minute to give his confirmation for the event, despite his busy schedule,” said Dr RL Raina, Vice Chancellor, JK Lakshmipat University, Jaipur.
‘Incredible person with tireless energy’
Dr Sheth was felicitated with a citation and trophy for his outstanding contribution in management and his valuable insights on global competition, strategic thinking, geo-politics, and emerging markets. He delivered the first Dr Pritam Singh Memorial address on “Strategic Importance of India in the New World Order” on the occasion.
Speaking about his association with Dr Singh, Dr Sheth said, “I am honoured and grateful for being the first recipient of the Management Guru Day award in the respected memory of Dr Pritam Singh. Our association goes back more than three decades, when we met and immediately bonded over our similar views. He was an incredible person with tireless energy. He never felt tired to talk about what India needs in terms of management transformation. I had the privilege of working with him in Shanghai and got to learn so much from him. I understood what leadership is all about from him. I really enjoyed my experience with him.”