Sambalpur, Jan 2: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur, one of India’s leading management institutions, hosted the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (Sector-Specific Roundtable) on the theme “Empowering Youth for Viksit Bharat in Odisha”, officials said on Friday.

The programme was organised in collaboration with Project Point Odisha under MY Bharat, an initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

The roundtable brought together 20 youth delegates, including MY Bharat Sambalpur representatives and tribal youth leaders, to deliberate on leadership, innovation, governance, inclusive development, and region-specific growth strategies aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The event was graced by Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, Satya Prakash Pattnaik, Former Director of NYKS, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Nihar Ranjan Dash, Special Secretary to Government of Odisha, Abha Mishra, State Head UNDP Odisha, and Dr. Sangram Keshari Samantaray, Chairperson and Founder of Project Point Odisha.

Prof. Jaiswal emphasised the transformative role of education and technology, particularly AI, in empowering youth to create impactful solutions. “The real shift must be from teaching to learning, where AI enhances critical thinking and problem-solving across education, industry, and governance. This is the pathway to Viksit Bharat,” he said.

Dr. Samantaray highlighted the importance of grassroots and tribal youth participation in nation-building, while Shri Pattnaik underlined MY Bharat’s vision of youth as change-makers through structured participation and leadership development.

The dialogue also focused on sustainable development practices within Odisha’s socio-economic and cultural context. Eminent policymakers, academicians, and sectoral experts shared insights on strengthening youth engagement in shaping India’s future roadmap.

Through initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, IIM Sambalpur continues to play a pivotal role in advancing national development conversations by leveraging academic excellence, youth engagement, and policy-oriented discourse. The institute reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing socially responsible leaders for India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.