Power POW-WOW to WOW mumbai

Gauri Sinh / TNN / Nov 9, 2005, 20:57 IST

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City will play host to the who's who of the corporate and glamour world at the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Wharton B-School.

City will play host to the who's who of the corporate and glamour world at the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Wharton B-School.
When you think corporate power, what could come to mind are students of the prestigious Wharton School, at the University of Pennsylvania in the US. Its alumnus boasts business heavyweights globally. And in two month's time, Mumbai will play host to many of them!
As part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of Wharton, January 5, 6, and 7, 2006 will witness a global forum held in India for the first time.
Think an Indian presence which includes Reliance's Anil Ambani,Godrej industries' Adi Godrej, Mahindra and Mahindra's Keshub Mahindra, Unilever's Vindi Banga, HDFC's Deepak Parekh among others.

If that's not all, addressing the three day gathering will be Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Infosys' Narayana Murthy. And expected to attend �� the Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh himself.
There's no shortage on the glamour quotient either �� on the guestlist is business tycoon Donald Trump and steel baron Lakshmi Mittal. And then, superstar Amitabh Bachchan.
Already the excitement is building up as the foremost minds in corporate India put their collective weight behind the initiative. Not all are alumni �� many are parents of alumni who feel committed enough to help out.
"My children are Wharton alumni. I was on the Wharton board myself for about four years," says Adi Godrej. "Any event with such distinguished participants is good for India's interests.
The Indian story is well recognised, and with such eminent visitors there will be further exposure. India's association with Wharton is good for both Wharton and India."
"This will be one of the largest forums we've had," says Jeff Sheehan, Associate Dean for Wharton's MBA programme, speaking from the US. "We already have over 12 countries registered. Apart from France, Switzerland, the US, alumni from Pakistan, Japan, China, Nicaragua and Korea will all be in India."
'The Indian tiger is not only awake but running at full speed,' reads Anil Ambani's (class of '83) welcome note on the Wharton website. "There is room for all of us on the back of the tiger." Ambani is the chairman of the forum's organising committee.
Patrick Harker, the Dean of Wharton, as well as UPenn President Amy Gutmann too will be coming to the city for this. The topic up for discussion at the forum? Inflection point.
"Simply put, it is the point from which the rate of growth accelerates and everything seems to go just right," explains Gautam Chand, President, Wharton Alumni Association of India. "This is the way that it is now, with India." All geared for the power party, Mumbai?
gauri.sinh@timesgroup.com

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