Kerala Cabinet turns students at IIM-K leadership workshop

KOZHIKODE: The Kerala Cabinet set aside its usual schedule and turned students for two days at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM-K), attending classes on Kerala’s future, artificial intelligence, healthcare, climate change and disaster preparedness.

The two-day leadership workshop, which began on Friday, brought Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and the ministers together to learn, discuss and formulate strategies for Kerala’s development over the next 20 years. Satheesan inaugurated the workshop by lighting the traditional lamp.

Senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, attended the first-day sessions, while IIM faculty and national and international experts took classes.

The programme opened with a session titled ‘Transformational Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Engaging People with Purpose and Effectiveness’, coordinated by IIM Dean Prof. Anandkuttan Unnithan.

Dr Aravind Srinivasan, Chief Medical Officer of Chennai’s Aravind Eye Hospital, led a session on developing Kerala as a healthcare hub. Climate change and disaster preparedness were also discussed, with Professor Dr Rajeev Shah of Japan’s Keio University and IIM Professor Anupam Das leading the sessions.

Saturday’s classes will focus on strengthening Kerala’s economic foundation, employment, entrepreneurship, skill development, higher education and improving the state’s position globally.

₹1,000 fine if phone rings

There were no concessions for ministers in the classroom, including the Chief Minister. A ₹1,000 fine was imposed if a mobile phone rang during class, with a special box provided for depositing the amount.

The same rule had been followed during a similar class conducted when Oommen Chandy was Chief Minister, when several ministers had to pay fines. Anticipating this, all the ministers kept their phones on silent mode.

Entry was also restricted. Apart from ministers, only the Chief Secretary, the Chief Minister’s secretary, the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and the State Protocol Officer were allowed in. Others present were faculty members. Case studies and video clips formed part of the classes.

Friday’s session ran from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., with a tea break at 11.30 a.m. and lunch from 12.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. Saturday’s class will conclude around 2 p.m.

Roji first, Muraleedharan almost late

Minister Roji M. John was the first to arrive, reaching the venue at 9.05 a.m. for the 9.30 a.m. class. The Chief Minister and other ministers followed.

Minister K. Muraleedharan arrived running at 9.25 a.m. and took his seat. Smiling, he said he was not late. A comment followed that he had been accustomed to arriving before the bell rang since his school days.

The ministers thus made different entries at the two-day leadership workshop organised at IIM Kozhikode.