Dr. Himanshu Rai
About
Dr. Himanshu Rai stands as an emblem of what can be termed as the perfect synergy between traditional Indian wisdom and cutting-edge management science. He is currently the Director of IIM Indore, his influence extends far beyond academia, as he passionately involves himself in shaping the next generation of global leaders.
He has been an alumnus of illustrious institutions including IIM Lucknow, MISB Bocconi, and XLRI Jamshedpur. As the Convener of CAT 2010, he spearheaded one of the most ambitious format changes in global testing history setting unparalleled standards.
He also did a stint for over 8 years at Tata Steel, India, where he played a pivotal role in developing quality systems for his departments and the communication policy for the company.
He has a unique approach for leadership, wisdom, and the confluence of tradition and modernity. Drawing from his deep personal interest in Indian history, fluency in Sanskrit, and reverence for India’s spiritual and traditional texts like the Vedas, he intertwines these ancient teachings with modern management principles.
He provides strategic consultancy to the Government of India, and in particular, has audited programs sponsored by the Planning Commission of India. He also provides strategic consultancy to the state governments in areas of restructuring, strategic HR management, and employee development.
Aspiring to bring in a moral compass to management education, he launched an elective course titled, ‘Justice, Ethics and Morality’, which has become one of the most popular courses now at the IIMs.
Awards and Accomplishments
Awards and Accomplishments
Dr. Himanshu Rai has published more than 30 papers and chapters in peer-reviewed journals and books, and his current areas of research include Negotiation, Cross-Cultural Issues, Management and Religion, Spirituality, Gender, Influence Tactics, 360-degree, Recruitment Advertising and Proxemics.
His research exploring the measurement of spirituality through an analysis of Vedic literature won him the best in-session presentation award at a conference in Costa Rica.
He is a recipient of the coveted ‘N.T.S.E. Scholarship’ and ‘Infosys Fellowship’. He was also awarded the ‘Best Professor in HRM’ by a leading publishing house last year and has also been adjudged as being among ‘25 most Influencing Voices from India’ by LinkedIn.
Why Dr Himanshu Rai ?
An avid quizzer, Himanshu has conducted over a hundred quiz shows across the country and has had a delightful stint in dramatics with many plays to his credit, both as an actor and a director.
With a potent mix of strong academic prowess, industry experience, and a deep-rooted respect for Indian traditions, his profile is a testament to his dedication to shaping leaders who are grounded yet global, ethical yet enterprising.
