Singhania advocates more autonomy for IIM-A

Addressing his first convocation at the Indian Institute of Mangement, Ahmedabad (IIM-A), Chairman of the Board of Governors, Vijaypat Singhania spoke of need for more powers to the institute and asked students to draw a 'Lakshman Rekha' of values in their life which they should never cross. Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who was the chief guest for the function asked students if they were willing to look beyond the immediate circle of family, work and friends and take on greater challenges that face the country.

"I am informed the Board of Governors has been looking into aspects of management as specified in our charter, that need a review, such as the faculty compensation package, to prevent erosion in the quality of the faculty. Some more meaningful discussions are required with the Central Government to enable the Board to take swift corrective action. Unfortunately, red tape rarely changes its colour, " said Singhania. He emphasised that world class institutions thrive on academic freedom and uncompromising pursuit of excellence.

Singhania cautioned the graduating students that the IIM-A tag came with responsibilities. Quoting Field Marshall Montogomery, he said, "You can have discipline without liberty, but you cannot have liberty without discipline. Let discipline become a guiding factor in your life, ".

Chidambaram on the other hand spoke of two Indias which are in contrast to each other in terms of appropriate design, delivery and effective implementation . "I wonder if some of you, at some stage in your lives, will come forward and volunteer to work as monitors and evaluators at the block or district levels. That is the battle ground where the war on poverty, ignorance and disease will be won or lost, and we need more selfless foot soldiers on that ground, "

317 students in all received their diplomas at the IIM-A's 42nd Annual Convocation through the institute's Fellow Programme in Management, Post Graduate Programme in Management, Post Graduate Programme in Agri-Business Management, and Post Graduate Programme for Executives.

Bakul Dholakia, Director, IIM-A talked about the achievements of the institute for the year 2006-07 and announced that Ravindra Dholakia, one of the faculty members of the institute has been appointed as an expert member on the Sixth Central Pay Commission. This is for the first time that a faculty member from the IIMs has been appointed on a Central Pay Commission, he added.