Thursday | Jul 03 2025 | 01:14:38 AM
The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), India’s first institution dedicated exclusively to automobile design and management, marked a historic milestone with its Groundbreaking and Foundation Stone Ceremony at XLRI Delhi-NCR. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, virtually unveiling the foundation stone and extending his support to this forward-looking initiative.
Held on the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus, the ceremony brought together a distinguished gathering of industry leaders, senior government officials, design and automotive professionals, academic stalwarts, and faculty members. The event underscored the rising significance of design in India’s evolving mobility ecosystem and positioned INDEA as a cornerstone institution in this transformation.
INDEA, developed under the aegis of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM), aims to revolutionise design education in the country. Led by Avik Chattopadhyay, Founder of INDEA and Chairperson of XADM, the institute is dedicated to cultivating a new generation of automotive designers and visionaries who are equipped to meet both global standards and local needs.
The foundation pillar titled Param—a Sanskrit word meaning supreme, highest, or ultimate—marks the beginning of a pioneering hub for innovation and excellence. Designed by India’s renowned installation artist and designer Vibhor Sogani, the striking steel structure rises skyward, embodying the institute’s aspirations for boundless growth and transformative knowledge. As the symbolic heart of INDEA, Param represents not just a foundation, but a future where state-of-the-art facilities will foster a thriving community of innovators, thinkers, and leaders in automotive design.
Virtually unveiling the foundation stone of INDEA, Gadkari said, “India’s automobile sector holds the key to economic growth, employment generation, and global competitiveness. As we strive towards the Prime Minister’s $5 trillion economy vision, our industry is evolving from being cost-driven to quality-led, anchored in smart design, robust safety, and sustainable practices. The future will be shaped by strong R&D, innovation, and next-generation testing and certification. I am confident that the young talent trained at INDEA will become catalysts for change, turning knowledge into innovation, and innovation into national strength.”
Speaking on the occasion, Fr. Dr. K.S. Casimir, Director, XLRI Delhi-NCR, remarked, “This ceremony marks a major leap in our vision of creating an institute that seamlessly blends design thinking, technical prowess, and industry alignment. Shri Nitin Gadkari’s digital presence as Chief Guest is not only an honour but also a strong endorsement of the vital role that design can play in India’s mobility future.”
Echoing the sentiment, Chattopadhyay, said, “INDEA is designed to be more than just an educational institute—it is a movement to elevate India’s design capabilities. With the encouragement of leaders like Nitin Gadkari and guided by the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are confident INDEA will become a key enabler in India’s journey to becoming a global design and innovation hub.”
The event also served as a platform to initiate future collaborations between academia and industry, fostering conversations around sustainable mobility, indigenous innovation, and the global positioning of Indian design talent.
