Bhubaneswar: For most seagulls, life consists simply of eating and surviving. Flying is just a means of
finding food. However, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is no ordinary bird. For him, flying is life itself. Against the conventions of the seagull society, he seeks to find a higher purpose and become the best at doing what he loves.
‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’ by Richard Bach is a fable about the importance of making the most of our life, even if our goals run contrary to the norms of the society. Through the metaphor of flight, Jonathan’s story shows that if we follow our dreams, we too can soar.
This story by Richard Bach has inspired many and Prof. Biswajeet Pattanayak is no exception. In fact ASBM University, and its earlier form – Asian School of Business Management – owe their existence to the profound impact that Bach had on him. An internationally known expert in the domain of Human Resource Management, and a widely acclaimed management Guru, Prof. Biswajeet Pattanayak had an exceptionally enriching career with remarkable achievements, including becoming a full Professor in
Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at the very young age of 35.
He went on to adorn the position of Director of the Reserve Bank of India run Indian Institute of Bank Management at the age of 37, a rare distinction again. In an exceptional manner, Prof. Pattanayak combines all the qualities of a management educator, a wonderful teacher, an excellent trainer, a consultant to industry, a prolific writer and an accomplished researcher. These attributes of the Founder Leader have shaped the culture of the organisation that he envisioned.
Leaving aside the coveted positions that he had occupied, Prof. Pattanayak preferred to return to his home state Odisha to pursue his dream of creating an IIM out of a private business school to provide an affordable platform to meritorious students across the country, and outside as well, interested in pursuing a career in management. That is how Asian School of Business Management was established in 2006 in the very lap of nature in a green campus close to Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary at Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.
It was built in record time of 180 days and was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Vice President of
India, His Excellency Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat with the words, “a new sunrise in management education”. His Excellency Shri Rameswar Thakur, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha and Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha had also graced the occasion.