KLS Institute of Management Education and Research (KLS IMER), Belagavi, celebrated its 36th Foundation Day on Wednesday with a programme focusing on entrepreneurship, workers’ welfare, social responsibility and the role of business in nation-building.
The programme began with an invocation song by KLS IMER students, followed by the welcome address by Shri Uday Kalkundrikar, Chairman, Governing Council, KLS IMER.
A floral tribute was paid to the late Shri Raosaheb B. M. Gogte. Students also presented a video profile of Shri J. D. Desai, Managing Director of J. D. Group, Belagavi.
Shri J. D. Desai was conferred the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year 2026’ award. Dr. Sumanth Desai, Assistant Professor and Coordinator, Foundation Day, read the citation.
Accepting the honour, Desai spoke about his entrepreneurial journey, recalling the challenges faced during the early years of establishing and expanding his business. He traced the growth of J. D. Group from its initial stages to its present position as a growing business organisation with a reported turnover of around ₹100 crore.
Business must contribute to society: Harish Bhatt
The chief guest, Harish Bhatt, former Brand Custodian of the Tata Group and best-selling author, stressed that businesses should look beyond profits and contribute to the welfare of workers and society.
“Prosperity is founded on the welfare of workers and society,” Bhatt said, highlighting the importance of creating businesses with a larger social purpose.
Referring to industrialist Jamsetji Tata, Bhatt spoke about his initiatives aimed at improving workers’ welfare, including accident insurance, pension schemes and provident fund provisions.
He also recalled Jamsetji Tata’s contribution to establishing India’s first steel plant and spoke about the historic interaction between Jamsetji Tata and Swami Vivekananda during Vivekananda’s journey to Chicago.
According to Bhatt, their discussion included the need for scientific research in India, a vision that eventually contributed to the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
The programme was presided over by Shri Ram Bhandare, Vice-President, The Karnataka Law Society, Belagavi, who delivered the presidential remarks.
Shri A. K. Tagare, Chairman, Board of Management, The Karnataka Law Society; Shri S. V. Ganachari, Secretary, KLS; and Dr. Arif Shaikh, Director, KLS IMER, were among those present.