---

Nothing prepares you for an experience as exhilarating as a B-School orientation. Abhyudaya 2026 was nothing short of a beautiful blur of knowledge, growth, and meaningful connections. When you first enter a business school, you have a mammoth of questions on your mind about everything that this place has to offer, and Abhyudaya 2026 was exactly that much-anticipated prelude for the journey ahead of us.

Our orientation programme unfolded over a series of thoughtfully planned sessions and activities. It commenced with the inaugural programme, followed by introductory academic sessions, leadership talks, ice-breaking activities, Community Connect, and finally, an outbound activity. Every event served a unique purpose, gradually introducing us to the culture, values, and expectations of life at IMT Hyderabad.

On the morning of 17th June 2026, dressed in formals head to toe, we raced down to the auditorium to attend the inaugural programme. The session included an inspiring oration by the esteemed Director of IMT Hyderabad, Prof (Dr) K M Baharul Islam, followed by addressal from other dignitaries. We then had an immersive leadership session in the second half of the day, where guests from the corporate with more than a decade of industry experience shared their insights while also answering questions from the freshmen. This concluded the first day of Abhyudaya for us.

The next few days began with ice-breaking activities, wherein we indulged in fun activities designed by the faculty that genuinely helped us get to know one another better. I wish to take a moment to appreciate the efforts of all the faculty members in making us feel warm and welcome at the institute. You know you are in the right hands with the very first interaction itself, and I am quite certain that each one of us felt the same about the faculty at IMT Hyderabad.

Introductory sessions in the first half and leadership talks in the second half were what our days looked like over the next couple of days. The introductory sessions gave us a sense of what the academics in the first trimester would entail and what was expected of us. Leadership talks are always valuable as you get to share the same space as accomplished professionals from the industry and learn from their experiences.

A poignant event of Abhyudaya is Community Connect, an initiative aimed at making students aware of the social impact that responsible business leaders can create, which is what IMT stands for. As part of the outreach programme, we visited several NGOs and foundations, including Bala Vikas Center, GMR Varalakshmi Foundation, Nirmaan, and Swarna Bharat Trust. We learnt a vital lesson: sustainable and socially responsible business practices are the future, as society and businesses always go hand in hand.

The most engaging part of the entire orientation was the outbound activity at Hidden Castle. It was absolutely fun! From magic shows to exciting games and delectable food, it had everything. And of course, the joy of being on a bus ride with your peers doubles the fun – music, laughter, and endless chatter all the way!

The word Abhyudaya literally translates to “an auspicious dawn”, and I think it truly lived up to its meaning – a perfect amalgamation of knowledge, spirit, and purpose, setting the tone for the journey ahead of 300+ students as they look forward to a rigorous yet delightful two years.