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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗜𝗜𝗠 𝗔𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗱 !! In the early 1960s, the Government of India decided to create premier management institutes to build leaders for India’s industrial growth. Ahmedabad was chosen as one of the locations because of the active industrial community and philanthropic families like the Sarabhais. Vikram Sarabhai, already a renowned scientist and educationist, played a pivotal role in convincing the government and local leaders to support the project. He envisioned a management school that would combine global best practices with Indian realities. The Government of India sought collaboration with Harvard Business School to shape the academic structure and curriculum. Harvard professors, including George Robbins, worked closely with Indian leaders to design teaching methods, case-study approaches, and faculty training. Parallelly, the physical form of the institute took shape under the influence of Vikram Sarabhai’s connection with Louis Kahn, the legendary American architect. Their relationship, often described as a deep personal and intellectual bond, became central to the story of IIM Ahmedabad’s campus. Louis Kahn, despite being a global architect, treated the project with a special passion, creating monumental red-brick designs with bold geometric patterns. The architectural design symbolized openness, discipline, and modernity, aligning with the institute’s educational vision. Local industries, particularly the textile business community of Ahmedabad, provided funding and governance support, which ensured strong roots in the city. The institute was formally established in 1961 and admitted its first batch in 1964. Over time, IIM Ahmedabad’s case-study teaching approach, rigorous academics, and global partnerships made it the most prestigious management school in India. The blend of government initiative, Harvard’s academic input, industrial patronage, and the “love affair” between Sarabhai’s vision and Kahn’s architecture gave IIM Ahmedabad its unique identity. Today, the campus is regarded not only as a hub of management excellence but also as one of the finest examples of modern architecture in India. Follow vishakha Jangir for more such ideas.