The course focused on management lessons from the understanding and interpretation of Conflict in Panchatantra
More than 25 students across two programmes of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, learnt management lessons from Panchatantra, an ancient collection of fables, in a course offered outside the curriculum. The classes were scheduled after dinner, between October 3 and 11 so that the academic calendar remained undisturbed.
The course was conducted as an experimental offering by professor N Ravichandran, faculty in production and quantitative methods area at IIMA and former director, Indian Institute of Management-Indore. Initiated on popular demand by students from professor Ravichandran's Capability, Competence and Competitive Strategy (CCCS) course, the conversations generated tremendous interest, and the offering was an instant hit among students of the campus.
Talking about how the idea for a class on Panchatantra evolved, a second-year student PV Aditya said, "We thought a standalone course on Panchatantra would be enriching and initiated conversation with our faculty for the same. Enthusiastic participation from the community despite the schedule reaffirmed our belief in the necessity of such a course."
Another student, Balaji Uppala said, "Panchatantra is the mother of all fables. This course helped us recognise the book as a useful source for management lessons. Our faculty interwove examples from real life business scenarios to impress on us how stories from Panchatantra can deliver powerful lessons for both personal and professional development."
The course focused on management lessons from the understanding and interpretation of Conflict in Panchatantra. Talking about the course, professor Ravichandran said, "Conflict is an indication of interest across different agencies. At the fundamental level, individual conflicts occur due to differences in objectives where tactical measures lead to conflict resolution. Conflicts at philosophical or ideological levels are enriching and intellectually stimulating. All parties stand to gain by resolving ideological or philosophical conflicts through deliberations and discussions."
The professor is planning to offer an improved and enlarged version of the course to a larger audience in November.
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