The doyen of Management Education in India, leaves behind a trail we shall endeavour to emulate
Remembering our beloved Founder & Chairman, Dr. Bala V. Balachandran
Bala V Balachandran (J L Kellogg Distinguished Professor of Accounting & Information Management (emeritus in service), Northwestern University and Founder, Chairman & Dean (emeritus) of Great Lakes Institute of Management, India passed away on 27th September, 2021 at Chicago after a brief illness. He was 84.
Born in Pudukottai, Prof. Bala (or ‘Uncle Bala’ as he was fondly known) completed his collegiate education at the Annamalai University, Chidambaram, served in the Indian Army briefly before departing to the US to pursue his Doctoral studies. From there began an illustrious career as Professor, Consultant, Mentor, Author, Entrepreneur, Life Coach and so much more. He helped recruit the first set of faculty members to IIM Bangalore in the late 60s, set up the Management Department at the MDI at Gurgaon through a joint collaboration with UNDP, Wharton and Kellogg. Working closely with N Chandrababu Naidu, his vision for a one-year-fast-track MBA program for working professionals was realized with the ISB in 2000 where he was on the Dean-search, faculty and curriculum committees. In 2004, he trained his sights on his native Tamil Nadu to set up Great Lakes Institute of Management which today has another campus at Gurgaon and is one of the best b-schools in the country. He received the 4th highest civilian award – the Padma Shri in 2001 for his contribution to education.
An eminent scholar, full of warmth and joie de vivre, Prof. Balachandran lived the life of a true Karma Yogi often stressing to his students that to do one’s duty in life was the best accomplishment of all. His life was filled with accomplishments and accolades of the finest kind.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Vasantha Balachandran, sons Dr. Sudhakar Balachandran (University of Illinois at Chicago) and Dr. Diwakar Balachandran (Anderson Cancer Center at Houston), their wives and grandchildren.
Tributes to Dr. Bala V. Balachandran from friends and well-wishers
Harry Kraemer
Clinical Professor of Leadership at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and Executive Partner at Madison Dearborn Partners
Philip Kotler
S. C. Johnson & Son Distinguished Professor of International Marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Shiv Shivakumar
Group Executive President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development, Aditya Birla Group
Vijay Govindarajan
Coxe Distinguished Professor at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business
Thank you for your very touching condolence messages and prayers through social media
With profound grief, we inform you of the passing of Dr. Bala V. Balachandran. Uncle Bala, as he was fondly called, was an inspiration to many. Although we will miss him dearly, we shall carry him in our hearts and live by the value system that he built for us. ???????? pic.twitter.com/42rq91eK3f
— Great Lakes Institute of Management (@GreatLakes_MBA) September 28, 2021
