The Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB), celebrated 38 years of academic excellence by hosting the second day of its flagship 7th Business Excellence Summit (BES) on September 14, 2025. Themed “Leading at the Edge: From Uncertainty to Impact,” the two-day event convened industry leaders, faculty, and students to explore strategies for thriving in today’s dynamic business environment.
The summit kicked off with a keynote by Mr. Kamadeba Mohanty, COO of Reliance Grocery Retail & Jiomart, Reliance Retail. Drawing from his extensive experience in banking, retail, and corporate strategy, Mohanty emphasised clarity of purpose, agility, and bold decision-making. “If you’re not failing in life, you’re not truly successful,” he told students, encouraging them to stay conceptually strong, embrace diversity, and seize AI-driven opportunities. His session included vibrant discussions on leadership, technology, and AI, followed by an engaging student Q&A.
The second session featured a powerhouse panel. Ms. Sapna Mohata, Vice President – Lending & Project Finance at NaBFID, shared her inspiring journey, urging students to trust their path, nurture passion, and step beyond comfort zones. She noted that while AI can handle routine tasks, critical thinking remains a human domain, emphasising mental resilience. Mr. Amit Pahuja, Director of Internal Audit at American Express GBT, spoke on leading through uncertainty, advocating for situational adaptability and choosing “the harder right over the easier wrong.” Mr. Aroop Mohapatra, Vice President at IndusInd Bank, traced the evolution of Indian banking, warning, “If you don’t disrupt your own business, someone else will,” while highlighting the risks of over-relying on AI. Mr. Bhaskar Roy, Head of AI (Customer Experience) at Tata Sons, focused on disruption, ethics, and innovation, urging students to prioritise ethical considerations as technology reshapes industries. Moderated by Prof. Shridhar Kumar Dash, the session concluded with an interactive Q&A and a vote of thanks from the BES team.
The third session featured Dr. Bhaskar Roy, Global Delivery Leader – Data Science & AI at Genpact, who dubbed AI the “new normal,” driving innovation and cost efficiencies. He proposed adding Platform as the 8th P of marketing and stressed responsible AI and continuous learning, stating, “AI won’t replace humans, but humans using AI will replace those who don’t.” Satya Swarup Das, Director of Product Management – Financial Services at Unisys, defined innovation as execution, using UPI as an example of balancing trust, speed, and quality. Debasis Mohapatra, Independent Consultant, underscored that leadership is about execution, not just ideas, advising students to “start small, scale with controlled acceleration, and lead from the front.” Moderated by Fr. Nithin Monteiro, SJ, the session ended with a lively Q&A and a vote of thanks.
The summit wrapped up with thought-provoking discussions on disruption, responsible AI, and leadership in uncertain times. Students actively engaged in Q&A sessions, reflecting on the need for adaptability, ethics, and lifelong learning. Fr. Nithin Monteiro, SJ, delivered closing remarks, followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks from the BES team, marking the successful conclusion of XIMB’s 7th Business Excellence Summit.
