IIM Visakhapatnam Commemorates the Birth Anniversary of Late Ms. Vani Row
The Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIMV) commemorated the birth anniversary of Late Ms. Vani Row, an illustrious alumna of IIM Ahmedabad, through the Vani Row Memorial Lecture. The annual event celebrates her enduring legacy of leadership, excellence, and service while inspiring future generations of management professionals.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Professor Kaveri Krishnan, Dean (Administration), who introduced the distinguished guests and reflected on the remarkable life of Late Ms. Vani Row. She highlighted Ms. Row's extraordinary journey as a globally respected investment banker, her sharp intellect, unwavering determination, and pioneering spirit, which continue to inspire generations of young professionals.
Professor Shivshanker Singh Patel, Chair (PGP), delivered a special address titled "Towards Achieving Excellence in the Post Graduate Program." Reflecting on the what, why, and how of excellence, he described it as a pursuit that demands commitment, purpose, and continuous growth. He also noted that it was fitting that the Institute's highest point is home to the Vani Row Memorial Building, which houses the Institute's incubation centre, symbolising how Ms. Vani Row's legacy continues to inspire innovation and entrepreneurship.
This was followed by an address from Professor M. Chandrasekhar, Director, IIM Visakhapatnam, who reflected on the significance of commemorating Late Ms. Vani Row every year on 6 August. He shared that the vision of creating the Vani Row Memorial Incubation Centre, inspired by the idea of "giving wings to the dreams of aspiring entrepreneurs," became possible through the generous endowment of Dr. B. R. L. Row at a time when the Institute was still in its nascent stages. Today, the Centre has nurtured over 209 startups, nearly 75 percent of them women-led, demonstrating how a single act has evolved into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems (IIMV FIELD and Atal Incubation Centre) He remarked that every startup supported, every job created, and every life transformed reflects the enduring impact of Ms. Vani Row's legacy and the values she stood for.
A special segment titled "What It Means to Be a Vani Row Memorial Gold Medalist" brought together recipients of the Vani Row Memorial Gold Medal from 2020 to 2026. Through live and recorded reflections, the medalists shared how the recognition had shaped their academic and professional journeys, underscoring the enduring significance of Ms. Vani Row's legacy.
On behalf of Dr. B. R. L. Row, distinguished scientist, philanthropist, and father of Late Ms. Vani Row, Ms. Sunitha addressed the gathering and reflected on Ms. Row's inspiring journey. She conveyed Dr. Row's heartfelt appreciation for seeing his daughter's legacy continue to encourage and empower young women to pursue excellence in management education, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
The Chief Guest, Professor Aparajita Ojha, Professor and Former Director, PDPM Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM), Jabalpur, delivered the Vani Row Memorial Lecture. Drawing inspiration from Nobel Laureate Professor Amartya Sen's observation that "empowering women is key to building the future we want," she spoke about the transformative role of women in shaping society through education, leadership, and innovation. She highlighted the growing contributions of women in STEM in India and paid tribute to pioneering women such as Marie Curie, Susan Band Horwitz, and Dr. V. Shanta, whose groundbreaking work transformed cancer research and patient care while paving the way for future generations of women scientists.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Professor Amit Shankar, Dean (Research), who expressed gratitude to the speakers, guests, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and all those who contributed to making the event a meaningful celebration of Ms. Vani Row's life and legacy.
Faculty members, students, staff, alumni, and invited guests attended the event in large numbers, reaffirming IIM Visakhapatnam's commitment to honouring individuals whose lives continue to inspire excellence, integrity, innovation, and purpose.
