Grave Loss For The Management Fraternity – Dr Pritam Singh

Atul Sobti Jun 08, 2020

The sad demise of Dr Pritam Singh has left an irreparable loss to the management fraternity. The loss is not only of an educationist but an exemplary management guru, a powerful orator, an excellent strategist and a leader.

Dr Singh was a true mentor who inspired many to be great managers. His experience, zeal for management and attention to details gave new stature to MDI, IIM Lucknow and IMI while he also contributed significantly to IIM Bangalore and Administrative Staff College of India. Students regarded him not only as their teacher but also a coach and a counsellor who gave a meaningful direction and advise thereby instilling confidence in them to make even the most difficult decision smoothly yet thoughtfully. He always used to say “ability to succeed comes from your thought of doing the undoable”. Such words have inspired many to not only succeed in the corporate world but also as entrepreneurs.

He not only taught students but also trained managers to excel in their management skills. In his nearly five decades of career as a Management Professor, he mentored many to succeed as CEOs. His workshops to become true leaders have been sought after across the corporate world. His fearless views and perspectives on policy, government and education has earned him respect from many.

It was his love for the domain that earned him many accolades in his lifetime. The most coveted indeed was the Padma Shri for his outstanding contribution in the field of management education. Not only from India, but Dr Singh also received many international awards in recognition of his contribution to the management society.

He was also a member of PMs Empowered Committee for selection of eminence institutions of India formed in 2018. During his lifetime he authored seven academically reputed books, three of which are award-winning along with over 60 research papers in various national and international journals. He was a globally sought-after speaker and addressed various Indian and global audiences, including Chambers of Commerce in various countries, notably, Holland, France, Germany, Greece, Russia, UK, USA, Thailand, Mauritius, Egypt etc.

I had a long association with Dr Pritam Singh which started with BHEL and continued at SCOPE. After joining the BHEL Board in the year 2013, when I met him in IMI New Delhi, which incidentally was also my alma mater, I was in awe with the vision he had for the institute and his enthusiasm to lead the educational institute was intense. I also had the good fortune to be invited by him to many of his management programs to address the participants. It was indeed a great honour to share the dais with him on multiple occasions. His mythological quotes during his addresses shall continue to ring in my ears and motivate me.

After my joining as Director-General of Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) in August 2019, we were in regular touch and he always used to give me his words of wisdom. In fact, we were discussing the possibilities of organising a programme for senior executives of PSEs at SCOPE under his guidance.

As he leaves for his heavenly, I personally and on behalf of SCOPE, can only wish that his soul rests in peace. However, he will be deeply missed in the education space as a great academician & institutional builder, in the management space as a mentor for crafting winning strategies and in personal space as a great human being.