The alumni of IIM Bangalore have stepped forward to raise funds to name a classroom on campus after the iconic Professor of Marketing Late PN Thirunarayana (aka PNT). Professor PNT was associated with IIMB for over 33 years. He retired in 2005 and has made an impact on batches since 1977. Professor PNT’s father was the famous Kannada playwright and poet, Padma Shri awardee P.T. Narasimhachar, popularly called PuTiNa.

IIMB’s alumni raised INR 2 crores and availed the naming rights of a classroom that allows the school to use the untied funds for purposes that it deems fit. Alumni giving back to IIMB has picked up speed over the last few years through individual and batch contributions. The PGP batch of 1986, PGP batch of 1993, Sandeep Runwal of the PGP 1993 batch and many other alumni made contributions to support this cause. 

The online classroom naming event was held on July 24 (Saturday), 2021, on Guru Purnima day. Alumni, faculty, retired faculty, students, and members of the family of Professor PN Thirunarayana joined the event, online. On this occasion, Professor Rishikesha T Krishnan, Director of IIMB, said: “Professor PNT was a legend in the Marketing area and generations of students benefited immensely from his teaching. I hope more alumni will participate in similar initiatives to acknowledge the great faculty of this institute.” Adding to this sentiment, Professor K. Kumar, Dean, Alumni Relations & Development, said: “The trend of alumni getting together to show their gratitude to their teachers and also exhibit a sense of giving back is a great tradition that is getting set up at IIMB.”

The donors were delighted that their alma mater was honouring Professor PNT by naming a classroom. The PGP batch of 1993 said, “We are proud and privileged to contribute to this wonderful cause. It is a tribute and symbol of our affection for our Guru.” Purushottam, on behalf of the PGP 1986 batch, said: “We are fortunate that we received Professor PNT’s infinite wisdom in our formative years and we are eternally grateful.” Sandeep Runwal, from PGP 1993 batch and the single largest individual contributor, added, “Professor PN Thirunarayana was a legend in Marketing and dedicating this classroom in his memory is a great legacy that IIMB is creating through this initiative.”