Vol 4, Issue 3, 2024

COMMUNIQUÉ

Welcome to the latest issue of Communique! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2025. The last quarter of the year was a perfect wrap up for the entire year. We bid adieu to our AMPPP Cohort of 2023-2024 with a combined graduation ceremony. We also have had the time to reflect on the past three quarters, assess our achievements, challenges and set the roadmap ahead for the new year. Read on to learn about our key accomplishments, initiatives, collaborations, events, and more.



Education

Graduation Ceremony of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy (AMPPP) Class of 2024

A combined graduation ceremony was held at the ISB Mohali campus, marking the success of participants of four advanced management programmes. A total of 180, including 45 participants from the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy (AMPPP), received their certificates. From the AMPPP Class of 2024, Vishwesh Shastri was chosen as the Valedictorian, while the Dean’s List honourees included Katyayani Sanjay Bhatia, Adityavikram More, Aparajita Rai, Neha Sharma, and Vishwesh Shastri. 

Gulab Chand Kataria, Hon’ble Governor of Punjab, was the chief guest at the ceremony and presented certificates to the students. He lauded the Indian School of Business for its mission to develop leaders for India who can make the nation self-reliant.

Other students who received their certificates were from the Advanced Management Programme for Healthcare (AMPH), Advanced Management Programme in Operations and Supply Chain (AMPOS), and Advanced Management Programme for Infrastructure (AMPI).

Shri Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Chairman, ISB Mohali Campus Advisory Board and Vice-Chairman, Bharti Enterprises, addressed the graduates and encouraged them to go forward with purpose, pride, and determination to make a lasting impact in the world. He also called on the students to be the brand ambassadors of ISB not only within India but across the globe.

 Professor Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, encouraged students to celebrate their achievements and use the privilege of ISB for the good of the people. 

Second Residency of the AMPPP

The second residency of the AMPPP cohort 2024-2025 was held from November 8th-17th at the ISB Hyderabad campus. The residency had the following courses and faculty:

Course Faculty Name
Data For Policy Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor & Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), ISB
Gender and Development Prof. Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) & Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), ISB
Policy Analysis and Decision Making Karan Avtar Singh, IAS(Retd.) and Chairperson, Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority
Foreign Policy and Geo-Politics Prof. (Dr.) Mohan Kumar, Dean, Strategic & International Initiatives, O.P. Jindal Global University
Digital Economy Ravi Shankar Chaturvedi, Managing Director and Co-investigator of Digital Planet — an interdisciplinary research platform at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
Ethics in Public Policy Dr Aarushi Jain, Policy Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), ISB  
Public Finance Dr Pushpinder Puniha, IRS (Retd.) and Senior Advisor, Finance and Taxation, Board of Cricket Control of India

The residency included one guest speaker session and three expert sessions as part of a day long workshop.

  • Seema Chowdhry, Director, Centre for Learning and Teaching Excellence (CLTE), Indian School of Business, held a session on ‘Navigating policy and Impact Messages: Communication Strategies’.
  • Rohan Kishore, Data & Political Economy Editor, The Hindustan Times, held a session on the ‘Role of Data in Policy Storytelling’.
  • KumKum Dasgupta, Senior Editor, The Economic Times, held a session on 'Putting the message out'.
  • Chhaya Sharma, IPS, Special Commissioner of Police, Training, & Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) and Special Police Unit for North-Eastern Region (SPUNER) held a session on 'Strength in Leadership: Transforming Justice and Empowering Change in Law Enforcement'.
T-Hub & Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC) Visit

As part of their ongoing second residency, the participants of the Advanced Management Programme in Public Policy (AMPPP) Cohort 9 explored the state-of-the-art facilities in Telangana, gaining invaluable insights into innovation and urban safety:

T-HUB & T-WORKS: The visit was hosted by Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Special Chief Secretary of IT & Industries, Government of Telangana. The AMPPP cohort witnessed how T-HUB empowers young entrepreneurs, especially women, by providing world-class infrastructure and mentoring. In his presentation, he highlighted how T-HUB has emerged as a catalyst for entrepreneurial excellence, transforming nascent ideas into viable business ventures.

Integrated Command & Control Centre (ICCC): A tour was hosted by Shikha Goel, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Women Safety Wing of Telangana State Police for the AMPPP participants, showcasing the ICCC’s sophisticated tech-driven approach to urban safety, integrating traffic management with women’s safety initiatives. During an engaging interactive session, she provided profound insights into the centre’s multifaceted operations, addressing crucial aspects of women and child safety protocols.

A gala dinner was also held during the residency enabling the participants to unwind and interact with their peers outside of their classrooms.

International Executive Leadership Programme for Members of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly

In a first, Bharti Institute of Public Policy in collaboration with the Fletcher School at Tufts University, USA, held its first international Executive Leadership programme for the members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly accompanied by the officials of the Government of Meghalaya. Under the aegis of Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship programme, the Fletcher School hosted 24 members of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly for an exclusive week-long Executive Leadership programme at the Institute in Public Policy. This marks a new milestone for the Meghalaya Legislative Research Fellowship—a part of the larger collaboration between Bharti Institute of Public Policy, ISB, and the Government of Meghalaya, in fostering international academic and governmental collaboration.

The customised public policy programme aimed to build essential leadership, governance, and public policy development skills for Meghalaya's legislators, offering them a unique opportunity to engage with officials, scholars, and policy experts from diverse fields. The programme included interactive sessions on strategic planning, evidence-based decision-making, digital development, AI, climate change, health, and governance best practices.

The programme also included immersive experiences including a visit to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate, where participants engaged in a three-hour long simulation of legislative processes in a full-size replica of the Senate Chamber, addressing climate and energy policy.

The delegation had the opportunity to interact with the Massachusetts State Legislators, gaining insights into the U.S. legislative system and fostering cross-cultural understanding of governance.

This initiative exemplifies the strong, longstanding collaboration between the Bharti Institute of Public Policy and the Fletcher School to empower leaders with enhanced skills and knowledge to drive sustainable policy solutions. The training promises to positively impact governance in Meghalaya, paving the way for further academic and governmental exchanges.

Updates on State Government Engagements

UPDATES ON EXISTING PROJECTS

Platform for Development Research and Communications

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

  • Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business has been selected as a Lead Author for the IPCC’s ensuing Special Report on Climate Change and Cities. The special report will be a part of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) seventh assessment cycle. Prof. Anjal is a part of the prestigious global group of 150 climate experts comprising coordinating lead authors, lead authors and review editors, for the special report.
  • Dr Aarushi Jain, Policy Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, participated in the Ash Carter Exchange at Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. The prestigious event brought together leaders, technologists, and policymakers to explore the role of innovation in advancing the national security. The event highlighted Cambridge’s legacy as a hub for innovation and former US Secretary Ashton B. Carter’s vision of bridging academia and national defense.
  • Dr. Nikhat Khalid, Research Fellow, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, presented a paper titled "Factors Affecting Trade in Manufactures at Various Technology Levels Between India and ASEAN: A Panel Gravity Model Approach" at the India Management Research Conference (IMRC 2024): Confluence of Growth, Sustainability, and Resilience, held at IIM Ahmedabad in Finance, Accounting and Economics Track.
  • Saubhagya Samal, PMU Lead and Pranabandhu Nayak from ENACTS participated in “Reimagining Inclusive Solutions in Education” (RISE) with prominent educational organisations, senior government and district officers, and school heads at SCSTRTI.

Research Publication & Blogs

Outreach Activities

Bharti Institute of Public Policy launched the Centre of Excellence for Aerial and Water Robotics in collaboration with IIIT-Delhi & DRIIV- the flagship programme of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. As part of this collaboration, an MoU was signed to drive innovation in technologies, aimed at addressing critical social development and sustainability challenges.

Bharti Institute of Public Policy has partnered with the India Conference at Harvard for Policy Hackathon — a unique platform designed to unite data enthusiasts, policy experts, and innovators to tackle pressing policy challenges. Prof. Prof. Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor & Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, encourages policy enthusiasts to participate in the Policy Hackathon.

Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) & Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business engages in a free-wheeling conversation with Nirbhaya fame IPS Officer Chhaya Sharma, Special Commissioner of Police, Training, & Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) and Special Police Unit for North-Eastern Region (SPUNER). Chhaya Sharma led the team of investigators in the infamous Nirbhaya Rape case that rocked the country in 2012.

BIPP IN News

The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department (APFD), Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation Limited (APFDC), and Bharti Institute of Public Policy announced a strategic collaboration to revolutionise forest management and community livelihoods in Andhra Pradesh. The MoU aims to create a comprehensive Resource Inventory of Seasonal Forest Produces (SFPs) using advanced digital and geospatial technologies. Read the news in The Hindu Business Line | Press Trust of India | Latestly | The Week | Bizzbuzz news | Rediff

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP) organised a four-day Advanced-Level Research Workshop for the Faculty Members under the Department of Higher Education, Government of Goa. The workshop was organised as part of the knowledge partnership between the Government of Goa and BIPP. Read the story

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy (BIPP), in collaboration with IIIT-Delhi and the DRIIV Foundation, signed an MoU to establish a Centre of Excellence on Aerial and Water Robotics for Development and Sustainability (CoE -AWRDS). As part of the MoU, BIPP will provide its expertise in public policy, impact assessment, policy recommendations, and partnership facilitation. Read the news in The Hindu Business Line | Deccan Chronicle | Manufacturing Today  | Silicon India Rural Voice

TEAM IN NEWS

Professor Ashwini Chhatre was quoted in a story that talked about how drones can deliver new hope to farmers. Prof. Chhatre opined that the climatic variations across the country necessitate the development of drones with enhanced resilience to operate in extreme temperatures, monsoon rains, and high dust environments. Read the full story in The Financial Express.

Ashwini Chhatre, Associate Professor & Executive Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business, was interviewed on the AgriBusiness Matters videocast by Venky Ramachandran. Watch here on YouTube

Anjal Prakash published an op-ed, 'Reassessing the Indus Waters Treaty Amidst Real Climate Challenges' discusses the increasing strain due to climate change and population growth on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Read in The Quint

Anjal Prakash published an op-ed' Looming Air Pollution Crisis Beckons Urgent Attention', discussing the significant rise in air pollution levels in the north-western India. Read in The Tribune

Anjal Prakash published an OpEd 'As Disasters Intensify, Climate-Resilient Infra Is No Longer Just an Option for India’ discussing the importance of climate-resilient infrastructure in India to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Read here ABP Live

Anjal Prakash, participated in the debate on at NDTV's LeftRightCentre discussing rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, inadequate sewage management, encroachment, and more as the reasons for the continued pollution of the national capital and river Yamuna. Watch here

Anjal Prakash published an op-ed 'India's Perspectives at COP29: Charting a path to fair climate action', discusses India's participation at COP29. Read here in Forbes

About Bharti Institute of Public Policy

The Bharti Institute of Public Policy is an integral part of the Indian School of Business. Functioning as an independent think-tank, the institute engages with policy makers by providing them with critical, evidence-based analysis of public policy rooted in data. The institute works on policy challenges across diverse domains, the main ones being Agriculture and Food, Environment, Education, Financial Policy, Governance and Digital identity.

Call for Working Papers & Research Blogs

It is for the relentless dedication of our amazing team that Bharti Institute keeps on scaling new heights and flourishing even when times get pandemically tough. We thank our researchers, associates, managers, writers, and coordinators for their contribution and noteworthy effort to Bharti Institute’s innovative programmes, change oriented collaborations, and dynamic pursuits. Miles to go, together!

Compiled by: Smriti Sharma