The 7th Udai Pareek Memorial Oration held in Feb 2022 On Organization and Leadership in a BANI World

Jaipur, 10 February 2022:

The 7th Udai Pareek Memorial Oration was delivered virtually by Mr. Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman & MD, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. (HUL), on a current subject; of “Organization and Leadership in a BANI World.”

The lecture was presided over by Padmavibhushan Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, National Research Professor and Chairman of the National Innovation Foundation.

Mr. Sanjeev Mehta spoke at length on BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible), which explains complex changes, such as those triggered by the COVID-
19 pandemic. The VUCA concept guides developing organizations in a scenario of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity to give meaning in the face of uncertainties in a world of constant change, increasingly interconnected and digital. However, the COVID-19 pandemic created a scenario that made even VUCA seem like an insufficient descriptor.

These two terms, VUCA and BANI, were designed to explain the turmoil of their time, from a post-cold war world to the coronavirus pandemic. Categorizing uncertainties with concepts like VUCA and BANI is so essential. The BANI concept gives a way better explanation for what is happening around. It could be a starting point for developing proactive solutions and roadmaps to this overwhelming new world.

The oration began with the lighting of the lamp and paying a flower tribute to the late Dr. Udai Pareek. Sh. Apurva Kumar, Chairman, Udai Pareek HRD Research Foundation, gave a small brief on the vision of Udai Pareek HRD Research Foundation. The oration, which was organized by National HRD Network (NHRDN), Headquarters and Jaipur Chapter in collaboration with Udai Pareek HRD Research, was attended by distinguished personalities including Mr. Prem Singh Regional President (North), NHRDN, Mr. SV Nathan National President, NHRDN, Mr. SV Nathan, National President, NHRDN. Dr. Suresh Chandra Padhy, Secretary, NHRDN Jaipur Chapter, extended the vote of thanks.

“One of the key concerns that emerged in recent times is issues of employability. It is estimated that at the global level, aging of world economy would create a skilled manpower shortage of 56.6 billion but India alone would have a labour surplus of 47 million. Hence India is set to reap the benefits of demographic dividend with its huge working age population provided its youth is competent and employable. Having realised thee concerns, we decided to invite this year a leading scholar from the corporate world and fortunately Mr. Sanjiv Mehta, Chairman-HUL,” said Dr. Ashok Bapna, President National HRD Network, Jaipur Chapter.

It is to be noted that the Udai Pareek Memorial oration is held every year in memory of the late Dr. Udai Pareek. He was an internationally acclaimed academician who sowed seeds of HRD in India and gave new dimensions to HR and OB discipline in terms of HRD integrated system. An Advisor to numerous National and International Organizations was a former Professor of IIM and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Indian Institute of Health Management Research (IIHMR), Jaipur, India.