To create sensitivity among students and feel attached, liable towards the society, IIM Udaipur taught Indian Social & Political Environment to the post graduate students as a subject by leading academicians and experts from various development fields.

This year’s course was taught by Prof. Sanjiv Phansalkar from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and a number of experts from various fields relating to the development of backward classes & minorities, rural livelihoods, women-related conditions, status of Naxalism and of the North-East states.

The most prominent part of the whole course was the Rural Immersion Program which was a way to sensitize future managers and make them aware regarding the prevalent social conditions in backward areas.

Other than classes, the course pedagogy involved a variety of case studies & assignments like role-plays, study of some of the national reports & giving implementable suggestions, understanding of the issues spread nationally and staying in a village for research.

The entire batch was sent in groups of five to various villages around Udaipur to complete a project focusing on the individual village profile, livelihood opportunities, their cropping pattern, basic facilities, health, education, social situations, rites & cultures, status of marginalized communities & on the basis of that; deliver key findings and suggestions.

Supported by various NGOs from Udaipur, individual student groups went to more than 20 villages in rural areas like Kotda, Ogna, Jhadol, Gogunda, etc. for a 5 day stay.

The Rural Immersion Program helped the students understand a whole new social system but also gave them a firm direction towards becoming sensitive and responsible managers.