One of the most brain-storming events of the year, Case Conquest, case competition of FLAME Kurukshetra 2025, brought together some of the sharpest minds in business to decode one of the most complex and meaningful challenges of our time: energy access in rural India.
The case, originally co-authored by Professor Dr. Smita Chaudhry from FLAME University and the late Professor Ganesh Prabhu of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, was thoughtfully adapted for the competition, a tribute to academic collaboration and real-world problem-solving. The reimagined case centered on Gram Oorja, a pioneering social enterprise driving sustainable energy access for remote communities, presenting participants with a rich, multifaceted business dilemma that balanced profitability with purpose.
Over an intense series of presentations, eight finalist teams, comprising postgraduate management students from FLAME and leading institutions across Pune, showcased their analytical acumen, creative thinking, and strategic insight. Each team brought a distinct perspective on scaling impact in the energy access sector, proposing actionable solutions that merged business viability with social value. Their clarity of thought, structured reasoning, and attention to nuance reflected a deep understanding of the sector’s challenges and opportunities.
The event was co-judged by Gram Oorja’s representative, Anshuman Lath, whose industry perspective added invaluable depth to the evaluation, alongside Dr. Smita Chaudhry, whose academic rigor and mentorship continue to shape the consulting culture at FLAME. Case Conquest 2025 stood as more than a competition, it was a celebration of applied learning, strategic empathy, and purpose-driven problem-solving. It reaffirmed the belief that the next generation of business leaders will not only chase profits but also power change, one case, one idea, one village at a time.
