The inaugural function for the Master Program in Government, Batch 04 as well as the International School for Broadcasting and Journalism (ISBJ) was organized on 05th September, 2008 at Saint Dyaneshwara Hall, MIT Pune, at 3.00 pm. The fourth batch of MPG was inaugurated at the gracious
hands of Lt. Gen. Rajender Singh SM, VSM, highest ranking holder in Indian Army, and Shri Sudheendra Kulkarni, a veteran journalist and former media advisor to PMO. The dignitaries on the dais were Lt. Gen. Rajender Singh (the Guest of Honor), Shri Sudheendra Kulkarni (the Guest of Honor), Prof. Rahul V. Karad, Chief Initiator and Dean, MIT School of Government (MIT-SOG)and
Dr. Francis A. Menezes, Academic Mentor, MIT—SOG, Mr. Yashvant Rajwade, former IAS officer and
Election Commissioner, Maharashtra and Prof. Gp. Capt. Apte, Acting Director MIT-SOG and Director, MIT School of Management and MIT School of Business. The dignitaries off the dais included
Col. (Dr.) Sneh V. Sharma, Associate Director MIT-SOG, Dr. Shrikant Paranjpe, Academic Advisor MIT-SOG Shri. Pardeep Choudhari, All India Youth Congress Spokesman and Associate Director, Institutional Relations, Dr. Purushottam Reddy Shri. Shashidharan, Director, MIT- ISBJ and other staff members of MIT- SOG as well as MIT- ISBJ. The function started with national song, Vandematarm followed by welcome address by Prof. Rahul V. Karad, Dean MIT- SOG and MIT- ISBJ. He expressed his deep concern about the need of professional politicians for the country like India and stressed
that the present situation in India is thriving for good and polished politician who take the nation forward and keep it in the line of the world class nations. His speech inspired the students of both MIT-SOG and MIT- ISBJ. It was followed by the felicitation of the dignitaries on the dais at the hands of Prof. Rahul V. Karad. After the felicitation, the gathering was addressed by Dr. Paranjpe, who briefed about the journey of MIT SOG so far also elaborated about the expectation of MIT-SOG from the new
students. Later, Lt. Gen. Rajender Singh delivered his inaugural address. At the outset, he appreciated the initiative and efforts taken by Prof. Rahul V. Karad in starting an institute like MIT-SOG, and also stressed on the need and relevance of such institution for nation building. He emphasized on need to change and narrated his own experiences regarding how the army has adopted new policies and is
changing by incorporating new technologies. He explained the changes taken place in army after the

China and Pakistan war. He made special mention in his address to the students that one has t0 be ery vigilant and cautious in their attempt, while dealing with foreign policy, mainly with the neighboring countries. The second inaugural address was delivered by Shri. Sudheendra Kulkarni ji. He stressed the
importance and relevance of ethical media and ethical leadership. He criticized the current 'Braking News' culture in the media and emphasized the need for responsible and socially driven media. He also shared his experiences when he had visited MIT—SOG to interact with the students of the previous batches. He applauded the initiative by Prof. Rahul V. Karad of starting an institute like MIT -SOG. He
gave the example of Mr. Vasanth Kumar, an alumnus of MIT- SOG, who is actively struggling for social causes and appealed the students to follow the footsteps of past students like him. He also answered some of the queries of the students satisfactorily. The function was concluded with the vote of thanks by Col. (Dr.) Sneh V.Sharma, Associate Director, MIT- SOG with his apt remarks, followed by National Anthem. Ms. Mukta Kulkarni, Academic Administrator, MIT-SOG was the Master of Ceremony.