INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CALCUTTA

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CALCUTTA

The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) was established as the first national institute for Post-Graduate studies and Research in Management by the Government of India in November 1961 in collaboration with Alfred P. Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, The Ford Foundation and Indian industry. The brown colour emblem of IIMC contains a twenty four petal lotus in the centre. In Hinduism, it is said that gods and goddesses sat on lotus thrones. A Buddhist story states that the Buddha appeared atop a floating lotus, and his first footsteps on earth left lotus blossoms. For Buddhist practitioners, a white lotus symbolizes purity, whereas a yellow lotus is associated with spiritual ascension. The lotus has a life cycle unlike any other plant. With its roots latched in mud, it submerges every night into river water and miraculously re-blooms the next morning, sparklingly clean. In many cultures, this process associates the flower with rebirth and spiritual enlightenment. With its daily process of life, death and reemergence, it is no wonder that the lotus holds such symbolism. Lotus symbolises beauty, grace, purity of mind, wealth, wisdom, knowledge, fertility and faith. A torch is kept on the lotus in a circle, symbolising enlightenment. This is ensconced by a circle, half of which is a gear wheel and the other half is a laurel of leaves, representing industry and agriculture. Below this in a semi circle the name of the institute is written. At the bottom the name of the place is written.