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Amazing Story of Prof. M.S. Pillai, Founder Director of SCMLD
Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Prof. M.S. Pillai briefly and I look forward to our detailed meeting.
He is the founder director of Sadhana Centre for Management and Leadership Development, Pune (SCMLD) which offers 2 year full time autonomous Post Graduate Diploma in Management.
Guess, how many days would it take to set up a b-school from scratch and get it going with 160 seats ?
An unbeliavable 40 days. Here is the chronology of events.
27 April 2004 - Prof. Pillai finds himself without a job after he fells out with Symbiosis Management after spending 16 years of service with them
27 May 2004 - The SCMLD concept was born
6 June 2004 - First Ad in Times of India
15 June 2004 - Second Advertisement
20 June 2004 - Formal work to setup classroom begins
7 July 2004 - Student admissions nearly completed
10 July 2004 - Fully furnished hostels for 160 students including 38 girls ready
14 July 2004 - Classes commence
All this happened out of relentless pursuit and support from SCMHRD alumni who committed money for the project, a friend offering his building, old colleagues joining to work without salary, tearchers volunteering to teach for free, 3 former students leaving their work at Ahmedabad, Cochin and Chandigarh and staying at Pune for forty days to setup infrastructure for the institute, more than thousands of such former students supporting in a variety of ways - placements, sharing valuable inputs, standing by for help as and when required etc. are the facts behind SCMLD's creation, uniqueness and its growth so far. It dedicates this to the noble emotion, spirit and energy of the universe that came through those involved and the journey has just begun. This true story was also featured in Business India, dated 25th October 2004 and can be viewed at http://www.scmld.org
SCMLD is continuously building a unique and unconventional institute emphasizing on inculcating habits essential for excellence, holistic health - physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual, - system thinking, integrity, initiative, character and the characteristics of being accountable and responsible.
I also met a few students who were very proud of their presence at SCMLD, they certainly thought this was the best institute in India, not so much for financial rewards, but the process they go through which helps them develop as leaders of tomorrow.
Really a very inspirational story and institute.
If you come across such inspiring stories and unsung heroes, do share here or call me on 098200 20753.
Regards,
Ajay Sanghani
CEO, ITVidya.com
Cell : 098200 20753
Professor Pillai is a man which Symbiosis Fraternity can never forget. I never got a chance to meet him but here in campus every one talks about him.He is the person who introduced Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) in campus. My best wishes to Professor Pillai for his Success in his Initiative … Perhaps very soon may be we all get chance to meet him personally.
Prof. Pillai is really a great man. I happened to meet him while I was at SCIT and it was his last year at SCMHRD. His vision and thoughts on leadership were really inspiring. He was the man who introduced Vippasana to Symbiosis and was really a wonderful experience.
I remember when it all happened, it was our summer break and I was in Delhi and one day I saw this full page ad of SCMLD. I thought another institute trying to copy SCMHRD, then I read the name of Prof. Pillai and I was amazed, that he is announcing a new institute and planning to start in matter of days. There were rumors in the campus that he was about to retire from SCMHRD and a new institute was a real shocker. But I heard from my friends from SCMLD that the alumni of SCMHRD chipped in with money and efforts to see it through.
He surely is very inspiring.
Truly awesome success story !!!
Sounds something like Amit Karpe would love to hear :-)