Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, virtually laid the groundbreaking and foundation stone of the Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), developed under the aegis of XLRI’s Centre for Automobile Design & Management (XADM) to impart design education at XLRI Delhi-NCR on June 17.
The ceremony held on the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus, 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.
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.
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, Avik 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 Shri Nitin Gadkari and guided by the vision of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are confident INDEA will become a key enabler in India’s journey to becoming a global design and innovation hub.”
