'Backwaters 2008' at
IIM Kozhikode Focuses on Evolution of Business in Indiatext
'Backwaters 2008', the
Annual Management cum Cultural Fest of Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode,
came to a dazzling end on 13th January 2008. The fest focused on the on-going
evolution of business in India. The theme of the event for this year
was 'Evolution' and it was held between the 11th and 13th of January,
2008, at the scenic IIMK campus. text
The fest hosted its flagship
event, Reliance White Knight 2008, an event that is conceptually unique
across all B-school fests, where discussions were held on the theme 'Urban
Development'. Some of the interesting ideas, which emerged during the
presentations of the finalists, focused on improving healthcare, transportation
infrastructure and waste management. text
The panel of judges included
Ms. Rohini Nilekani and Mr. Prakash Gurbaxani, the CEO of QVC
Realty. The fest also included a media contest in collaboration with Sony
Entertainment Television. This contest was successful in churning out new
concepts for innovative shows including ideas for reality shows and new age
comedies. A few chosen concepts among these will be implemented by Sony
Entertainment Network's youth channel, SAB, for its forth-coming shows.
text
Backwaters, this year, also
featured a new business simulation game, spread across all verticals and
organized in collaboration with Gold Simulations, a US-based firm.
Labyrinth, an online treasure hunt, held as a precursor to the fest was huge
success with thousands of hits and hundreds of participants from around the
world. 'Deloitte Deal With It' was a game, which required participants to
value the fictional firms, based the financials given to them and negotiate
deals based on their analyses. text
Various other informal in-campus
games and cultural events also marked the three-day extravaganza. The annual
IIMK alumni reunion called Nostalgia saw alumni from all over the world
converge and interact with the students here. Another first for Backwaters this
year was K-Dio (the in house IIMK radio) going live on the net; this is
the first time in Indian B-school history that a campus has gone live on the
web. Apart from live quizzes, songs and other fun activities, K-Dio also served
as a channel through which alumni, who were not able to come to the campus, were
able to participate in 'Nostalgia'. Kolossus, the rock concert, served as
the grand finale to Backwaters with Parikrama, one of India's biggest and
most sought after rock bands, enthralling a jubilant crowd.text
Backwaters 2008 was sponsored by
Reliance Industries, Freudenberg, Deloitte, Bristlecone,
CapGemini, TCS, Vodafone, Lenovo, ONGC,
RPG, Gold Simulations, SET and Paymate. The Week
was the official print media partner for the event.text
