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The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), India’s first dedicated automobile design institute, has marked its official launch with the unveiling of a magnificent steel sculpture titled ‘Param’ at the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus. Designed by renowned Indian artist and designer Vibhor Sogani, the installation is a powerful visual metaphor representing innovation, aspiration, and the limitless potential of Indian design.
The foundation stone ceremony, graced by Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, took place on June 16, 2025, and marked a significant milestone in India’s automotive education landscape.
🔶 A Sculpture with Purpose: ‘Param’
Named after the Sanskrit word Param, meaning supreme, ultimate, or transcendent, the 16-foot steel structure embodies the spirit of innovation, creativity, and forward-thinking that INDEA promises to foster.
The sculpture features a quadrilateral form, drawing inspiration from the four directions, signifying the vast sources of influence the institution aims to channel. Each side of the sculpture carries a symbolic message:
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Panel One: Celebrates the unveiling of Param and the establishment of INDEA.
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Panel Two: Features a message from Marcello Gandini, the iconic Italian automobile designer known as the father of the wedge—a figure who inspires generations of vehicle designers worldwide.
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Panel Three: Bears INDEA’s motto: “Shape the future, for the greater good.”
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Panel Four: Is left intentionally blank—a tabula rasa—signifying unlimited possibilities and uncharted design territory for future students.
🔷 A Vision Sculpted in Steel
The dynamic, angular lines of Param reflect Gandini’s revolutionary wedge designs, which transformed the aesthetics of cars in the 20th century. The ascending structure evokes motion, progress, and evolution—qualities that resonate with the principles INDEA is founded upon.
“Param was envisioned as more than a sculpture. It is a symbol of aspiration, direction, and creative potential,” said artist Vibhor Sogani. “It’s meant to inspire anyone who sees it to imagine fearlessly and shape what lies ahead.”
🏛️ INDEA: A First in Indian Automotive Design
INDEA (Indian School for Design of Automobiles) is not just another design school—it is India’s first super-specialized institute dedicated to automobile design and management. Based within the XLRI Delhi-NCR campus, INDEA aims to offer a master’s level program in automotive and transportation design.
What sets INDEA apart is its focus on industry-relevant training, prototyping, design management, and hands-on experience. The institute seeks to fill a major gap in India’s design and innovation ecosystem—bringing local talent up to global standards in automotive aesthetics and function.
According to Avik Chattopadhyay, Founder of INDEA and Chairperson of the Centre for Automobile Design & Management at XLRI:
“Param is more than a symbol—it’s a statement of purpose. It signifies our commitment to pushing design boundaries and inspiring a new generation of Indian automotive visionaries.”
🌍 Global Influence, Indian Roots
The institute’s curriculum will emphasize India’s ‘Make in India’ mission by ensuring that world-class mobility products are conceptualized and designed in India. Through partnerships with top automobile manufacturers, design studios, and global design icons like Gandini, INDEA will act as a catalyst for innovation in India’s mobility sector.
The inspiration from traditional Indian art, as seen in Param’s minimalistic design, combined with modern engineering and futuristic themes, shows how the past and future can converge through meaningful design.
🧭 Param as a Beacon of Possibility
Placed at the entrance of INDEA, Param is both a landmark and a message—welcoming aspiring designers to a space where limits are questioned and creative freedom is encouraged.
The symbolic “blank slate” panel invites future generations to add their own chapters to the evolving story of Indian automobile design. As a monument, Param elevates the institute’s identity from merely educational to a cultural institution—one that champions Indian design on the global stage.
🔚 Final Words
With the unveiling of Param, INDEA has announced itself as a bold new player in global automotive design education. Supported by XLRI and envisioned by industry leaders and renowned artists, INDEA sets a precedent for design innovation rooted in Indian ethos, yet shaped for the world.
As Indian automobile design enters its next era, Param will stand tall—a sentinel and symbol of a future yet to be drawn.
