There is a uniquely eclectic and awe-inspiring method in Professor Jagdeep Chhokar’s modus operandi of conducting classes. His vast experience, diverse educational background, interests, affiliations and rich cross-cultural exposure bring out elysian words from the man forcing students to think out of the box and break the shackles of single and narrow minded approach of forming opinions.
Bywords like “A fish is the last one to know about water” and “Customer loyalty is a hoax” come in a perennial flow in the classes when he informs the practices that have been shaped into the functioning of existing organizations and the challenges prevalent in them along with the ways they have been or should have been dealt with. “Even the notion of time has different significance across different cultures” is the adage with which he begins the class in which he explains how the budding managers should stop being influenced by the western world and their methods and cease the approach of inculcating the customized western techniques in Indian business scenarios. India as the biggest democracy has its own set of problems, and the way they have been handled has been fairly good keeping in mind the volume of challenges that were laid in front. And finally, the gem, “Expect, accept and respect differences” is the perfect one with which he ends the amazing experience of the sessions on an intellectually enriching high note. According to him, by broadening our aspirational space and reflecting upon our strengths, we can work towards the betterment of the society in our own way by streamlining our targets and yet not being too radical in the formulation of new insights.
Professor Jagdeep Chhokar’s hunger for knowledge, decorum, sharp observational skills, pragmatic thoughts and the outstanding work, he and his team have been doing for the Indian democracy is an inspiration and motivation for everyone not to mention the students of IIMU. Such decorated teachers and great mentors are the real honour and insignia of IIMU.
All the people here at IIMU sincerely hope that he continues to nurture the future batches of IIMU with his body of knowledge and he and his team win many more such prestigious awards for the excellent work they are doing for strengthening the Indian democracy. Heartiest congratulations to him and his team!
(Professor Jagdeep S. Chhokar is a teacher/trainer, researcher, and advisor in management, a lawyer, a citizen activist, and a birdwatcher and naturalist.
A Ph.D. in management and organizational behaviour from Louisiana State University (USA), an MBA from Delhi University, Graduate Engineer from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (London) and the Institution of Production Engineers (London), and LL.B. from Gujarat University, he taught at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, for 22 years from 1985 to 2006. He was also Director In-charge and Dean at IIMA. Before that he worked with the Indian Railways in a number of engineering and managerial positions for 12 years, and as an International Marketing Manager in a public sector company for four years.
He is one of the founding members of Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an organization which works in the area of Electoral and Political reforms.
His association with IIMU dates back to the first batch since when he is taking Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour classes for the PGP students.
More information regarding Professor Jagdeep Chhokar and ADR can be found at:
jagdeepchhokar.wordpress.com
sites.google.com/site/jchhokar
adrindia.org
myneta.info)
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