Ahmedabad: The Indian Institute Of Management Ahmedabad has landed up into a major controversy, over the management’s call on changing logo his historical logo. This move has been opposed by their past and present working members.
The top authorities of the institute has decided to replace it’s existing logo with two new logos, each for the domestic and international audience.
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.
‘Vidya viniyogadvikasa’ a Sanskrit Verse, meaning development through the distribution or application of knowledge, is included in the logo. The logo has been elected as a key architect of the premier business management school in the city, by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.
A letter signed by 40 faculty member raised the issue of logo change in stating that the management did not hold any discussion with the faculty members regarding logo change.
Faculty members wrote to the chairman of the IIMA 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.
The proposal of replacing the present logo with two new logos was approved by IIMA board members, in a recent meeting, as per the letter signed by the faculty members.
The new logo portrays impression of the mosque’s grille, however, it is less prominent.
The Sanskrit Shloka is there in the international logo.
In the letter the members have said, “The logo is our identity – the ‘jaali’ and the Sanskrit verse define us and our Indian ethos. For us, it is a symbol of our Indianness, our connect with “vidya”, our link to the Institute.”
Former IIMA director Bakul Dholakia also slammed the move. He also asked that how it could be considered when it did not come from the academic council of the institute.
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