IIM Nagpur and YASHADA Join Forces to Empower India’s Grassroots Leadership
College News & Ranking Index by Rebellion Research
Nagpur, June 16, 2025 — In a major move to strengthen local governance in India, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM Nagpur) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), Pune. The agreement paves the way for a collaborative initiative aimed at upskilling officers of Zilla Parishads and Panchayati Raj institutions across Maharashtra.
The strategic partnership focuses on executive education and capacity building for grassroots leaders, with programs tailored around leadership, communication, digital transformation, project management, and village development planning.
Dr. Bhimaraya Metri, Director of IIM Nagpur, hailed the MoU as a milestone. “This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in our mission of nation-building through grassroots empowerment. IIM Nagpur is committed to bringing its academic rigor to the service of local governance, which we believe is key to inclusive and sustainable development in India,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Dr. Mallinath Kalshetty, IAS (Retd.), Director of YASHADA, highlighted the synergy between the two institutions. “This partnership combines YASHADA’s grassroots insight with IIM Nagpur’s academic excellence. We are laying a foundation for more visionary and accountable leadership at the local level, essential for Maharashtra’s development,” he noted.
The signing event was attended by several key dignitaries including CAO Lt Col Makarand Alur (Retd), Professor Neelkanth Dhone, and Dr. Sapan Kumar Singh of IIM Nagpur, reinforcing the importance of the occasion.
