Date: September 12, 2025
Location: Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
The Jar XCHANGE session was held at IIM Bangalore on September 12, 2025, with the objective of offering BBA (Digital Business and Entrepreneurship) students meaningful insights into the evolving Bharat ecosystem. Announced on short notice, the event still secured 40 RSVPs, with 16 students ultimately participating. The session was inaugurated with formal remarks and a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony by Professor Suresh Bhagavatula of IIMB, setting an academic and cultural tone for the proceedings. The program was hosted by Comic Arvind, whose role as anchor, along with his short stand-up segment, ensured smooth transitions between sessions while keeping the audience engaged.
The agenda featured a diverse mix of panels and keynotes that blended academic perspectives with industry insights. The opening panel, Academic Context on Bharat, brought together Professor Suresh Bhagavatula, Rishi Kulkarni (Co-founder, REVSCALES & 1CLICK), and Dr. Sachidananda Benegal, who provided foundational views on India’s socio-economic and cultural landscape. This was followed by Built in Translation, featuring Jani Pasha (CEO, Lokal), Prashant Singh (Head of Product, Jar), and ethnographer Dharmesh Ba, who shared insights on building localized solutions and understanding consumer behavior. The session Decoding the Sacred included Prashant Sachan (CEO, AppsForBharat), Maahin Puri (Founder, Vaya), and Akashdeep Singal (VP Marketing, Jar), who discussed the intersection of technology, culture, and spirituality in products designed for Bharat. A keynote address was delivered by Nischay AG, Co-founder and CEO of Jar, who shared his entrepreneurial journey and learnings. The day concluded with The Art of Storytelling, a fireside chat with actor and content creator Danish Sait, highlighting the importance of humor, creativity, and storytelling in effective communication.
To enhance the student experience, all attendees received a curated goodies kit consisting of a branded t-shirt, a journal, and a tote bag. Networking opportunities were thoughtfully included through a tea break and a concluding dinner at MDC Woods, which provided students with informal yet valuable interactions with speakers and peers.
Overall, the Jar XCHANGE session provided students with exposure to diverse perspectives from academia and industry, practical lessons in areas such as storytelling and product innovation, and deeper appreciation of the cultural and market dynamics within the Bharat ecosystem. Beyond knowledge-sharing, the event fostered networking, community spirit, and campus vibrancy, reinforcing IIM Bangalore’s role as a hub for thought leadership, entrepreneurship, and meaningful student engagement.