IIM Ahmedabad, one of the most prestigious business schools in India, has released three groundbreaking case studies on the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Shatabdi Mahotsav, which was held from 15 December 2022 to 15 January 2023. The case studies provide invaluable insights into leadership, large-scale project execution, and innovative management.
These peer-reviewed case studies were officially launched by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Ahmedabad in the presence of the authors – distinguished IIM professors, Prof. Vishal Gupta, Prof. Saral Mukherjee, and Prof. Chetan Soman.
Similar to the Kumbh Mela case study by Harvard University, IIM Ahmedabad conducted case studies on the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Centenary Celebrations, exploring the meticulous planning, execution, and leadership behind the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar (PSM Nagar), a 600-acre spiritual wonderland built in just nine months that hosted over 12 million visitors during the month-long celebrations. The studies provide a comprehensive analysis of the organizational excellence displayed in creating and managing PSM Nagar.
In his case study, Prof. Vishal Gupta, an organizational behavior professor at IIM Ahmedabad, has highlighted the celebration’s unparalleled scale, people management, service orientation, and leadership principles.
Prof. Saral Mukherjee and Prof. Chetan Soman, professors in operations management, have explored innovations in design, logistics, and sustainability in their case studies, offering a new dimension to managing large-scale projects. They highlight the integration of technology to streamline operations, ensure sustainability, and enhance the visitor experience. They elaborate upon the meticulous planning and logistics involved in constructing a mini-city with diverse facilities in a short timeframe.
During the launch event, Prof. Vishal Gupta expressed, “In September 2022, when I first visited the Pramukh Swami Maharaj Nagar site, it was still under construction. At that moment, I thought, 'The inauguration is set for December, and we are already in September—what could possibly happen in just three months?' But when I saw the completed Nagar in December, I couldn’t believe that such a magnificent place could be built in such a short time. Witnessing the creation of this Nagar showed me how deeply people can be motivated to contribute selflessly without any concern for personal gain. Sustaining that level of motivation over time is something no management institute could ever imagine. This Mahotsav, in my view, symbolizes the limitlessness of the human spirit."