IIM-Ahmedabad controversy over logo change

IIM: The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A), the country’s top B-School, is embroiled in a huge dispute over management’s plan to replace the school’s historical emblem, a move strongly opposed by former and current faculty members.

The IIM’s top governing council has chosen to replace its distinctive design with two new logos, one for domestic audiences and the other for overseas ones.

The current emblem, which was adopted in 1961 when the institute was founded, is based on a motif inspired by an exquisite carved stone latticework ‘jaali’ from the 16th century, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, commonly known as Sidi Saiyyid ni Jali.

The logo also features the Sanskrit verse ‘Vidya viniyogadvikasa,’ which means ‘growth by knowledge diffusion or application.’ The logo was chosen by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, a pioneer of India’s space program, as the main architect of the city’s renowned business management school.

40 Faculty of IIM signed letter over logo change

A letter signed by more than 40 faculty members recently addressed the issue of the logo change, claiming that management did not engage with faculty members about the change.

Faculty members wrote to the chairman of the IIM-A board of governors, Kumar Mangalam Birla, claiming that changing the emblem would have “far-reaching repercussions and long-term consequences” for the top management school with a global reputation.

According to a statement signed by faculty members, the IIM-A board supported the idea to replace the current emblem with two new designs during a recent meeting. The impression of the mosque’s grille is present in the new logos, but it is less prominent. The Sanskrit shloka, on the other hand, appears only in the worldwide logo.

The members indicated in the letter that the current logo served as the institute’s identity. “The ‘jaali’ and the Sanskrit verse define us and our Indian ethos,” says the logo. It is a symbol of our Indianness, our connection to “vidya,” and our relationship to the Institute for us.” 

Bakul Dholakia, a former IIMA director, blasted the action, questioning how it could have been considered at all given it did not come from the institute’s academic council. According to him, the decision “defies logic and reason” and will dilute IIMA’s strong reputation. 

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