Pune, 25 March 2026

 

The Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) successfully hosted its flagship annual business fest, SPARDHA 2026, under the inspiring theme “UDAAN – Where Aspirations Take Flight.” The two-day on-campus finale, held on March 20–21, marked the culmination of a nationwide competition that brought together some of the brightest management minds from across India.

The fest witnessed an overwhelming response during its preliminary online rounds conducted from March 8 to 16 on Unstop, attracting 2,172 registrations from students nationwide. The grand finale at VAMNICOM saw participation from 44 reputed institutions, with 142 finalists, reflecting the growing prestige of the event.

A Platform for Future Leaders

SPARDHA 2026 featured 15 diverse and intellectually stimulating events, including Best Manager, Business Quiz, Business Plan, Financial Analyst, Debate, and Marketing Case Study. Participants showcased exceptional analytical skills, creativity, and leadership capabilities, making the fest a vibrant hub of innovation, collaboration, and competitive excellence.

Key Winners

The competition crowned outstanding performers across categories:

Best Manager: ICFAI University, Raipur (Winner); PUMBA, Savitribai Phule Pune University (Runner-up)

Business Quiz: Pune University (Winner); National Institute of Management, Pune (Runner-up)

Business Plan: College of Agriculture, Pune (Winner); MANAGE, Hyderabad (Runner-up)

Coopathon: National Insurance Academy, Pune (Winner); PUMBA (Runner-up)

Debate: PUMBA (Winner); Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai (Runner-up)

Financial Analyst: MANAGE, Hyderabad (Winner); National Insurance Academy, Pune (Runner-up)

Marketing Case Study: College of Agriculture, Sonai (Winner); MANAGE, Hyderabad (Runner-up)

The fest commenced with an inspiring inaugural ceremony graced by eminent dignitaries. Dr. Medha Samant, Founder and Secretary of Annapurna Pariwar, attended as the Guest of Honour and highlighted the importance of community empowerment. Milind Akre, Additional Registrar and Director of the National Institute of Post-Harvest Technology, Pune, presided as the Chief Guest, while Dr. M. S. Powar, Regional Head of IFFCO, Pune, attended as the Special Guest.

Grand Valedictory Ceremony

The event concluded on March 21 with a grand valedictory and prize distribution ceremony. Mahesh Kendre, Managing Director of Godavari Urban Multistate Credit Co-operative Society Ltd., Nanded, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and applauded the participants for their enthusiasm and excellence.

The successful execution of SPARDHA 2026 was carried out under the guidance of Dr. Suva Kanta Mohanty, Director, VAMNICOM, with strong support from Dr. D. Ravi, Joint Programme Director, and Dr. S. Dharmaraj, Registrar. The event was coordinated by Dr. B. Kishor and Dr. Amit Borkar, along with a dedicated team of faculty members and student volunteers.

The fest received valuable support from leading organizations, including Advanta Seeds, UPL Ltd., Annapurna Pariwar, IFFCO, and Godavari Urban Multistate Credit Co-operative Society Ltd.

As a premier institute under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, VAMNICOM continues to play a pivotal role in shaping professionals in cooperative management and agribusiness through its flagship PGDM programmes.

SPARDHA 2026 once again reaffirmed its position as a premier platform for nurturing future leaders—empowering students to innovate, collaborate, and lead with confidence. The institute reiterated its commitment to fostering excellence, strengthening the cooperative ecosystem, and creating impactful learning experiences for the next generation of management professionals.

 

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PIB Pune | Harshal Akude/Darshana Rane

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