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LUCKNOW: Contrary to the reports that armed forces are a bit ‘harsh’ on its lady officers, these young women in olive believe that army is the best place to work “Nothing is perfect in this world. So you may also find some shortcomings here and there in armed forces as well. But if you ask my personal opinion, army is the best career option available. In fact, given an opportunity, I would like to continue with my services in army,” said Squadron Leader Abhilasha Bisht, who has served air force for 10 years under short service commission.
Abhilasha is one of the 65 defence officers who arrived at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow on Monday for ‘Mission MBA’ to prepare themselves for a different battlefield – a career in corporate world.
Started at the initiative of directorate resettlement, ministry of defence, the two years business administration post graduate programme (PGP) has been encapsulated by IIM-Lucknow experts into a six months MBA certificate programme which will equip officers with qualifications they would need for their second career.
Drawn from various divisions of the armed forces, the contingent which has enrolled itself for the course includes 21 lady officers. This is the fifth such programme IIM-Lucknow is hosting for defence officers. Most officers who have joined the course are from short service commission and are due to retire soon.
Like Abhilasha, Wing Commander Smriti Sharma also feels that working in army is the best experience in the world. “Since we cannot continue further in armed forces, we chose this MBA programme to make way for our second career,” she said.
Expressing similar sentiments, Wing Commander Anupma said, “Most of us have lived as civilians before joining armed forces, therefore it would not be a big deal to go back and work as a civilian again.”
The six months course will have five terms of four weeks each with examinations after every term. Officers will be taught and trained in basic functions, functional inputs, basic behavioural inputs, managerial skills, integration course and advanced course. They will get assignments, projects and pre-class homework as well.
Hierarchy will take a backseat as all of them will have to reside on the campus like an ordinary student.
Lieutenant Colonel NS Pandian, another candidate who has joined the course, said, “We are experienced in working in a structured format. The basics have been the same as in corporate world. Now we just need to sharpen our skills which would be required for a job in private sector.”
Lieutenant Colonel Avinash, another participant, felt that the six months MBA course at IIM-Lucknow would be a transition period which would help them develop qualities required for the second career.
Prof Prakash Singh, one of the programme director, said, “Participants will be introduced to contemporary business models and practices and helped to develop competence in various disciplines of management.”
Speaking at the Inaugural Session, the principal director, employment, Commodore Rajeev Karsolia asked the officers to put their home front concerns away for the next six month and prepare rigorously for this intensive program.
Prof S Nandi, dean at IIM Lucknow, cited the recent economic slow down and financial market turmoil in USA as a wake-up call for countries like India. Prof Abhishek Nirjhar, chairman, MDP, referred to this program as a battle field of a different kind. Prof Arunabha Mukhopadhyay, the program director proposed the vote of thanks.
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