Dr Vikram Sarabhai was born as one of eight children into a wealthy, progressive industrialist family on 12th August,1919 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He grew up in a highly political atmosphere, being part of the elite that led India to independence. He was a renowned Indian physicist and industrialist who played a key role in initiating space research and also contributed significantly to the development of nuclear power in India. He received his early education at a Montessori-style at a school owned by his parents and later attended Gujarat College, Ahmedabad. Then he shifted to University of Cambridge, England earning a Tripos in Natural sciences in 1940. World War 2 forced him to return to India, where he undertook research in Cosmic Rays under physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkat Raman at the Indian Institute of Science , Bangalore. The range and breadth of Sarabhai’s interests were remarkable. He was actively involved in scientific research, he also showed his interests in industry, business and development issues. Sarabhai founded the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association in 1947 and was responsible for its activities until 1956. Sarabhai established the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which was later renamed the Indian Space Research Organization(ISRO). After the tragic death of Physicist Homi J Bhabha in 1966, Sarabhai was appointed the Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India. Sarabhai was Awarded two of India’s highest honours , the Padma Bhushan (1966) and Padma Vibhushan ( awarded posthumously in 1972).
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Reason For the Foundation of IIM Ahmedabad :
After India’s independence there was a strong push to build prominent educational institutions to support industrialization and economic growth. While the institutions like IITs focused on technical education, India needed top-notch management education to produce capable administrators, business leaders and policy makers. Dr Vikram Sarabhai was a key figure in this movement. He believed that both scientific and managerial competence were needed for India’s overall growth. The foundation of IIM Ahmedabad (IIMA) in 1961 was the result of collaboration between visionary leaders, government support, international partnerships, and local industrialists.
Key Figures Behind the Establishment Of IIM Ahmedabad :
- A true visionary, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai served as both the founding force and the chief architect of India’s space research initiatives. He was the driving force behind the IIM Ahmedabad, believing that the modern management education was essential for India’s economic growth.
- Ravi J. Matthai was appointed as the first person to hold the position of full-time director at IIM Ahmedabad. He was Known for introducing the “Institute model” where IIMA would function autonomously with strong academic freedom. He was so focused towards his goals that he rejected many prestigious global offers to build IIM A.
- Kamla Chowdhury was the first Faculty member of IIM A and was a Organizational Development Expert. She played a key role in faculty recruitment and early curriculum design. She was working previously on ATIRA (also founded by Sarabhai).
- Indian Govt. (Ministry of education & planning commission) , provided official banking and funding to establish a second management institute after IIM Calcutta. Indian Govt. also encouraged collaboration with foreign institutions , like Harvard Business School for IIM A.
- Harvard Business School, acted as an international academic collaborator. It partnered with IIMA to design its curriculum, and played a critical role in giving IIMA a world-class framework from the day one. Also the faculty from Harvard visited IIMA to train IIMA faculty and co-develop content
- Kasturbhai Lalbhai, was a prominent Ahmedabad based industrialist, who donated land and resources to establish IIMA. He had a full faith in Vikram Sarabhai’s vision. He was also a member of Ahmedabad Education Society(AES).
- Ford Foundation, provided financial and advisory support.For the initial development of IIM A, Ford Foundation provided technical as well as financial assistance. It also facilitated the partnership between HARVARD and IIMA.
A Book Of Memory” by Sudhir Kakar says Vikram Sarabhai’s Love Affair gave birth to IIM Ahmedabad
Sudhir kakar, nephew of Kamla Chowdhury, in his book entitled “A book of memory” mentioned that Ahmedabad got its institute of management because its founder Dr Vikram Sarabhai was in a relationship with Kamla Chowdhury, who was one of the key figures behind the foundation of IIMA. According to Sudhir Kakar’s book, Kamla Chowdhury, the first faculty member of IIM Ahmedabad, was also a friend of Mrinalini, the wife of Vikram Sarabhai. She left such a strong impression on Sarabhai that he offered her a job at ATIRA, the first institution that Sarabhai set up in Ahmedabad for textile research. After that they both entered into a relationship that lasted for almost 20 years, says the book. However, Kamla Chowdhury had begun to get uncomfortable in this love triangle and wanted to shift to Delhi. The book highlights that Vikram Sarabhai tried his best in every way to convince Kamla Chowdhury to stay in Ahmedabad. When nothing worked then Sarabhai tried to bring IIM in Ahmedabad , so that Kamla could stay in Ahmedabad only. However the daughter of Vikram Sarabhai, Mallika Sarabhai agreed that his father was in a relationship with Kamla Chowdhury, but to agree with this fact that he brought IIM to Ahmedabad just for Kamla Chowdhury, is not fair at all. By agreeing to this fact we would be doing a great injustice to his sight. Well, what’s the real or truth fact is still a question!
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 in 1961 was the result of collaboration between visionary leaders, government support, international partnerships, and local industrialists. It also had a love angle check details here.){kind=link}