MANTHAN 2000:
Emerging Topography of Business
Manthan is the annual Seminar organized by the Department of Personnel Management & Industrial Relations at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The Department of Personnel Management and Industrial Relations (P.M.&I.R.) at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), is one of the foremost centers of learning and research undertaken in the field of Human Resource Management, in India. For the past five decades it has been catering to the needs of industry by way of developing People Managers.
Situated in North Eastern Mumbai, TISS is housed in the midst of sheer vergure to provide the necessary atmosphere and climate for learning. It can be easily said that the aspect that distinguishes the Department of Personnel Management and Industrial Relations, T.I.S.S. from other Business Schools is the integration of classroom learning with hands on experience. All students along with attending classroom lectures go to various industries (Banks, Manufacturing units, Consultancies, I.T Companies etc.) twice a week to gain hands on experience of the real work place and its challenges. Being strategically located in Mumbai, the Institute has been inviting a host of successful managers as guest faculty, who share their knowledge and experience with the students.
Manthan is the annual two day seminar organized by the Department of Personnel Management and Industrial Relations. Being held in the month of August, it is primarily organized with the objective of providing industry-academia interface by providing a platform for practicing people managers to share their valuable experience and ideas for the larger good. In the past the seminar was addressed by industry stalwarts like Harsh Mariwala (Marico Industries), Dilip Ranjrekar (Wipro Infotech), Reena Ramchandran (Hindustan Organics Limited), Arvind Mishra (Arthur Anderson), Rustom Barucha (Nicolas Piramal).
Delegates attending the seminar come from a plethora of companies and include students from the premier management institutes in the country. This year we have structured the seminar as follows: On the first day we would be inviting eminent Speakers to expouse their views and experiences on specific subjects. The second day would begin with a Panel Discussion on issues of polemic interest. As part of our efforts to capture the future of business we would hold a theme based Paper Presentation contest, after the panel discussion in which the students from all the leading management institutes would participate. Last year we received nearly eighty entries for the same. After the paper presentation we would also be conducting a business-focussed quiz ‘Questzone’ for delegates. A journal entitled ‘Kosthabhum' an annual feature is also being published after the seminar to be distributed to delegates and people form industry and academia.
The Event, this year is focussed on the theme: FAULT LINES OF TRANSITION-THE EMERGING TOPOGRAPHY OF BUSINESS. Beneath the seemingly quiet land, seismic forces are in a state of flux. The tectonic plates are constantly moving to collide with each other and to part from each other. These seismic forces below the earth manifest themselves in erupting magma from the mouth of the volcano. The interface between two tectonic plates is what is called a Fault Line. It is exactly where will emerge either tomorrow’s tallest mountain or the deepest valley. We are at a fault line, one where old structures are increasingly being relegated to oblivion and new ones blossoming. Right from the high-flying arena of the net economy to the oldest industries of the manufacturing era, all are in state of transition. Change is all pervasive - it is the only unchanging reality today. What does this flux mean for us?
The rules of business in the Trimillenium are being rewritten allowing for greater opportunities and at the same time making us confront unprecedented risks. Are we geared to lift the mantle? What newer strategies, practices and culture we should build to thrive on this mega chaos maintaining our competitiveness for present and future.
THE INSTITUTE: Tata Institute of Social Sciences, better known as TISS, is located at Deonar, Mumbai. It was established as the Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work in 1936 to meet the pressing need for scientific training in the fields of social work and research. The Institute was renamed the Tata Institute of Social Sciences in 1944 and was later granted the prestigious status of a Deemed University under UGC. The Institute continues to evolve through significant contributions in the fields of Personnel Management and Social Work.
THE DEPARTMENT The Department of Personnel Management & Industrial Relations (PMIR) was inaugurated in 1965 to meet the growing demands of industry for professionals who are adept in human resource management. The Department offers a Masters Degree and a Diploma program in PM & IR which are highly valued in the Industry today. During the two years spent at TISS, the students are put through a range of experiences, both practical and theoretical in nature, for comprehensive development. This includes the added advantage of fieldwork in which students are exposed to a range of organizations during their two years, thus enriching the students' preparation for their careers in Industry. The Department has some of India's leading multinationals and domestic giants among its recruiters and maintains a perfect placement record.
E-mail the Manthan team at manthan@tiss.edu
Website concept and design by Dr. Somil Nagpal
