IIM Ranchi, in collaboration with the TATA Steel Foundation, recently hosted the Certification Ceremony for the Grassroots Leadership Development and Local Governance Programme. This initiative aims to empower local leaders and strengthen governance at the community level. Mr. Sourav Roy, CEO of the TATA Steel Foundation, served as the Chief Guest for the event.

The year-long programme featured a 40-day residential leadership development course, divided into four residential and four field components. A key highlight of the certification program was its focus on Tata Steel Foundation Development Corridor fellows, who come from local communities and work across various panchayats to enhance local governance.

The curriculum covered five core modules: personal development, leadership, community development, project management, and local governance. As part of the training, fellows initiated impact projects at the panchayat level. The certification was offered in multiple languages—English, Hindi, and Odiya—to ensure inclusivity.

Fellows were also introduced to advanced technologies like ChatGPT, while refining their skills in community mobilization and local governance. Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Director of IIM Ranchi, addressed the gathering, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to fostering leadership and creating social impact. Mr. Sourav Roy, during his speech, posed three reflective questions to the audience: “If I don’t stand up for myself, who will?”, “If I stand only for myself, who am I?”, and “If not now, when?” He emphasized that while the certification can uplift individuals, their actions are what will drive real-world change.

The program exemplifies IIM Ranchi’s commitment to blending a global mindset with local responsiveness, contributing to both leadership development and community empowerment.