IIPM Blog Wars Redux

Here’s another one on the subject:

Taking a stand

Just bringing this to your notice. IIPM has dropped fake reviews on the Net even before spolgging. This is a year-old Mouthshut review. The author claims to be an IIT-Delhi graduate who dropped IIM Bangalore and joined IIPM.

Interesting points: his name doesn’t show up on the IIT Delhi alumni register, and there is no ‘Kanchenjunga’ hostel in IIT Delhi.

Here’s my link guys.
http://ramblingz.blogspot.com/2005/10/blogs-v-iipm.html

Fantastic effort by the blogosphere to rally around the guys who brought this whole issue to public domain. I really feel for the students at IIPM though!

here’s another post :http://kufr.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-in-wikipedia.html

here’s another post http://kufr.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-in-wikipedia.html

here’s another post:

I have been following this issue as well, from dubai, and am aghast at what kind of institutions we are trusting to shape our future.. I have also emailed this issue to a coupla newspapers here, will send you the online link if they have them updated..

In the meantime – rooting for gaurav and others..

I have been following this issue as well, from dubai, and am aghast at what kind of institutions we are trusting to shape our future.. I have also emailed this issue to a coupla newspapers here, will send you the online link if they have them updated..

In the meantime – rooting for gaurav and others..
http://dreamsnm.rediffblogs.com

Count me in too! I am all with the blogger community who support Gaurav and JAM. Let us not get bogged down or stoop down to unethical practices followed by the IIPM group (of sending illogical notices, responding on blogs with nasty messages etc). Let us fight for freedom of speech! Let Arindham do his best with his deep pockets, but we bloggers will fight out our best!

Another one from me: http://www.sandeepweb.com/2005/10/12/gimme-a-legal-notice/

I posted a link to the story on DIGG.com . Go ahead and DIGG the article so it can have a chance of making the DIGG frontpage and the DIGGnation (weekly) podcast.

Story here

Cheers.

Angelo
http://jangelo.i.ph
http://jangelo.racoma.net

hi
i think that a institute belongs to its students and looking at management education around i think one think that iipm does well is to prevent management from being an elitist profession
on that count it deserves kudos
on others i think i really dont kno

I think its time Arindam Chaudhri gets fixed once and for all. Apart from all this, he is playing with the future of students who are spending what seem to be amazing amounts for a third rate education.

Hello,
My name is Arka Mukhopadhyay, and I blog as kaashyapeya at http://kaashyapeya.blospot.com
I have documented my views on this issue on my blog.
Besides, I am one of the founders of the Bangalore bloggers’ community, which operates through the google group blogbang and the collaborative blog everymanscity. I have sent out a request to all members of the Bangalore Bloggers’ Community to join in a proposed protest march to the IIPM, Bangalore campus, to hand over a formal letter of protest to the authorities there. I urge bloggers’ communities in other cities where IIPM has a presence to also consider the same.
Regards,
Arka

Today’s Mumbai Mirror covers the story on Pg. 31. Here’s the online link:
http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=14&articleid=10112005239407501011200523933687#

As promised in my previous post thsi is my reaction and advise to Arindam and IIPM.
Read it here.

Hi,
Really gud to see so many ppl rallying behind Gaurav and others who have been ’sued’….lets take the fight to the IIPM and their chamchas and cteach them a leson they will never forget….let us all mirror Gaurav’s posts and the JAM MAG on all our blogs……lets see how many ppl will they serve with a “legal notice”
Sunil

Sandeep, when I look at this whole thing, I feel the pattern is more based on the geographic location of the bloggers. The reason IIPM sent the so called legal notices to Gaurav, Rashmi and Varna may be because they are in India and are easily accessible. I am confident that they haven’t figured out a way yet to sue Indian bloggers abroad. Patrix and Shanti are both is US… and it wouldn’t help IIPM’s cause even is they were served a notice. The harassment by IIPM can be continued at varied fronts in India.

Gaurav, Rashmi and Varna… All support to you…

IIPM fine print division served legal notice by IIPM large print division

Although Gaurav is clear that IBM did not ask him to resign, I still wish, they had asked him to stay back, and called IIPM’s bluff. This is actually going to give them more negative publicity..

Have linked to my blog as well. Although Gaurav is clear that IBM did not ask him to resign, I still wish, they had asked him to stay back, and called IIPM’s bluff. This is actually going to give them more negative publicity..

Gawker, you are one helluva Genius

heh thanks Vulturo .. This cows got a lot of milk in her.

I know there might be enough folks who’ve already said this, but still… World class campuses my ass… I’ve seen the chennai campus.. since when is a single three or four storey building called a “world-class” campus? Probably qualifies as a “world-ass” building. More coming up on my blog later.

This gentleman has even included the IIPM tag in his post so then people end up there…

http://catciao.blogspot.com/2005/10/top-5-crazies-among-us.html

The IIPM tags (as well as all the other top tags) are in black font on the black background so you wont be able to see them. Hit Ctrl+A to see them…

Will the mainstream Indan media pick up this article and credit the bloggers. This is the part of the issue I am concentrating on. So far there have been two papers who have picked up the article, discussing things around the issue like legality, but not the issue itself. Lets wait and see, in the meanwhile, I am going to keep updating my post with any new information from the media.

Just to let you know my take on my legal notice:

http://absurdiav.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-afterthoughts.html

Tag metasearch for IIPM is also quite interesting
http://iipm.gada.be/b

(Via http://nullbit.wordpress.com/2005/10/12/the-power-of-blogs/)

DP,
I live in Brussels and noticed that IIPM have “contacts” right here in town. Trying to reach em, but no answer. Kill keep u posted.

I was pretty sure I wasn’t Chinese. Now I’m beginning to have doubts.

Does anyone see the need for Gaurav and Varna to get anticipatory bail? Or am I being paranoid and playing into the hands of the enemy?

Please add http://www.lakshmir.blogspot.com

Rajesh,

The e-mail that they have sent as a legal notice is crap…Based on that e-mail I don’t think they need to get any bails yet.

My opinion! If there are any lawyers opinion,that would be helpful…

I posted a link on DIGG.com. Let’s all DIGG (vote for) the story so it will be pushed up to the front page of DIGG news, and possibly be discussed in the weekly DIGGnation podcast.

Link here:
http://digg.com/technology/IBM_(India)_employee_resigns_over_blog_posts

Angelo
http://jangelo.racoma.net

Where do we go from here with the fight against IIPM!
Did IIPM Win?
http://desaraju.blogspot.com

I have just gone through a lot of blogs and posts regarding the IIPM issue. I will be writing about the issue on my blog. Just want to say that i support Gaurav and Rashmi.

oh boy! looks like I am totally clueless abt this due to my Paris trip.. just tuning in now..

Here is my URL in which I have written about the mis-management in IIPM.
http://kasthurisrinivasan.blogspot.com/2005/10/mis-management.html

Madhurima,

I guess I was thinking of getting anticipatory bail before any arrest warrants are actually filed. Legally speaking IIPM doesn’t even have a toe to stand on, but you never know what underhanded tactics they might surprise us with. Just in case bribes are passed around, I don’t think any of us would like to see our fellow bloggers spend even a minute in a police station.

An article on Mumbai Newsline –

Bloggers join hands against B-school

Sending on behalf of Rajesh J Advani:

Comment # 192

Rajesh J Advani said,

October 12, 2005 at 7:27 pm
Indian Express

An article on Mumbai Newsline -

Bloggers join hands against B-school
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=152721

In an yet an other blow to the IIPM, a major english language daily “Indian Express” has written an article on the IIPM issue titled “Bloggers join hands against B-school“.

Inn an yet an other blow to the IIPM, a major english language daily “Indian Express” has written an article on the IIPM issue titled “Bloggers join hands against B-school“.

This is cool,

More dirt from Indian Express, August 17,

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=144202

Read the comment of IIPM Crony. Lol.

I am disappointed. It’s a half-baked article. Doesn’t even mention Rashmi or JAM, the main article which Gaurav linked to. Looks like someone did a quick job. But hey, something is better than nothing. I hope some other MSM stands up and does a start-to-finish job on this.

Why not google boomb these guys. let the blogging community collectively bomb IIPM and the Arindham guy

My support and best wishes to Rashmi Gaurav and others involved. http://rk.negimaki.com/blog/index.php/2005/10/13/power-of-bloggers/

British Indian blogs also representing!
http://www.pickledpolitics.com/archives/82

I am with Rashmi and Gaurav Sabnis. I have written in my blog based in US and I am trying my level best to make everyone I know read it and write in support of Rashmi Bansal & Gaurav Sabnis.
We are all together against this rogue institue.

A legal eagle tells me that IIPM could be on a sticky wicket if they go to the courts. The reason being, the court will first of all question the right of IIPM to use the words INDIAN INSTITUTE in their name. It seems, it’s illegal to use words like INDIAN OR NATIONAL unless you are a government institution. I believe a few insititutes were hauled up by the courts, recently, for pasting these prefixes to their names. Hope that offers hope to the legally harassed.

I am in full agreement with Gaurav & the others who speak out against IIPM. I have one yardstick that I use to measure the general quality of any B-school. My experience tells me that the better thw quality of an institution gets, the lesser publicity it will require to attract students. To quote a few examples, all the Ivy league institutes issue just a single admission notification each, but they manage to get the cream of the MBA aspirant pools while on the other hand, we have places like IIPm & it’s ilk who spend crores of rupees on publicity & still achieve nothing out ou it.

Hello, I support Gaurav Sabnis, Rashmi and all the blogger community in this issue.

http://tusharvjoshi.blogspot.com/2005/10/freedom-of-speech.html

Regards, Tushar

I am New to blogworld…support your cause…will try to post something on it in my blog.

While I strongly support Gaurav on his post on the Institute, I find it ridiculous that he chose to quit IBM. That’s as immature as those dudes threatening to burn their laptops.

So what is he going to do next? If he joins MicroSoft and the students threaten to burn all their PCs running Windows, wil he quit MS too?

His act has actually taken the wind out of the sails.

My take -

Based On A True Story

Posted about this issue at – Are you being served? May the force be with Gaurav and Rashmi.

A lawyer friend of mine who looked at the legal notices sent by IIPM found them hilarious and ful of legal holes.
More importantly he has offered to help bloggers with legal advice or clarifications if needed.

My update on this here: IIPM – Blog Wars: An Offer of Legal Advice

Here’s my post on the issue:
http://jpostcards.blogspot.com/2005/10/postcard-from-j-blog-sweat-and-tears.html

~j~

I wrote about what do you find if you search IIPM on Google and Yahoo! I am surprised that I like Yahoo! results more.

I’ve done my by bit at my blog http://www.bombaylives.blogspot.com

cheers
satish

My opinion is here! http://liklasa.blogspot.com/2005/10/my-very-precious-opinion.html

http://chavakiran.blogspot.com/2005/10/blog-post_13.html

I strongly rebut the disgusting and despicable techniques used by IIPM against an academic scholar and the journalist. They r trying to manipulate against the public voice. What management lesson is this !!
Hats off to you Gaurav.

Instead of doing research/typing long pages/asking for more agitation, why not ask for a formal permission to visit IIPM facilities, by some neutral but authoritative observers. Those supporting IIPM should lend their hand to help, as it would also prove their sincere desire to let people get the ‘facts’ about their beloved institute.
Let the observers verify the truth behind the tall comments and state of the art infrastructure. Let them verify the records of the lectures by profs from Yale n Harvard. We all can trust their views and that wd also put all the doubts to rest.

Let the truth prevail ..

I strongly rebut the disgusting and despicable techniques used by IIPM against an academic scholar and the journalist. They r trying to manipulate against the public voice. What management lesson is this !!
Hats off to you Gaurav.

Instead of doing research/typing long pages/asking for more agitation, why not ask for a formal permission to visit IIPM facilities, by some neutral but authoritative observers. Those supporting IIPM should lend their hand to help, as it would also prove their sincere desire to let people get the ‘facts’ about their beloved institute.
Let the observers verify the truth behind the tall comments and state of the art infrastructure. Let them verify the records of the lectures by profs from Yale n Harvard. We all can trust their views and that wd also put all the doubts to rest.

Let the truth prevail ..
http://thatsinvincible.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-jamed.html

NDTV will be covering the IIPM fracas tonight.
http://www.desipundit.com/2005/10/13/ndtv-to-cover-iipm-fracas-tonight/

http://chavakiran.blogspot.com/2005/10/blog-post_13.html

Here goes my post.

my take on this

Was it opinions or allegations why is iipm suing indian blogger ?
http://puneetworld.indiablogs.org/archives/2005/10/opinions_vs_all.html

a summary inshort point i have covered
-Freedom of speech Allegations VS opinions
-did gaurav make allegations or expressed his opinions ?
-Its morally unethical amateurish to sue someone for their opinion
-Are indian cyber laws redundant ?
-freedom of speech support badge few designed by me

and also not to mentioned “getting sued is not in my priority list thus a little disclaimer below in my postif at all its needed or not time would tell ”

lol

Hi,
I had emailed legal expert Naavi to find out how valid these electronic legal notices are.
He says:
“though notices in e-form are legally recognizable, legal notices prior to launch of court proceedings may require to follow established court procedures. I suppose that if the defence refuses to acknowledge the notice, Court when approached may direct the petitioner to serve another proper notice through paper”.
The entire mail is available on my blog for those who want to know more.
But what that quote above tells me is that if you’ve got an electronic legal notice, you can simply trash it and not acknowlege receipt.
The court will ask them to send one on paper. Let them send one on paper if they are serious. And how do they find your postal address?? Google wont give them, they are bound by contract not to…

The whole fiasco behind the IIPM threats have totally grossed me out. I have joined in the fight. I would have liked to jot down some of MY OWN views on this, but i feel terrible about jotting this down in such a rush. I really havent done it any justice at all. But, still i have passed the word around.. and will update more briefly later sometime. For now, i have it up on my blog. Thanks. You guys r really doing an amazingly great job. much much much appreciated!!

With IIPM officials denying any knowledge of these notices, I am more than convinced that these notices are a hoax.

We are rallying behind Gaurav and Rashmi in this matter. Gaurav is our good friend, through the Mumbai and Pune quizzing circles. After all, there is always something called “proper channel” and IIPM should have abided by the rules of law in response to any publication; it should have clarified its position first. Now I am thinking that the numerous engineering and medical colleges that are run by politicians are much better than these self styled private institutions in cases of college administration and abiding by guidelines set by premium Indian educational agencies like Medical Council of India (MCI), The ILS and All India Council of Technical Eduaction (AICTE). The unprofessional attitude of IIPM is highly condemnable.

Here is my contribution to the fight. Let truth prevail.

http://sumeetsingh.net/blog/?p=31

- Sumeet

We are rallying behind Gaurav and Rashmi in this matter. Gaurav is our good friend, through the Mumbai and Pune quizzing circles. After all, there is always something called “proper channel” and IIPM should have abided by the rules of law in response to any publication; it should have clarified its position first. Now I am thinking that the numerous engineering and medical colleges that are run by politicians are much better than these self styled private institutions in cases of college administration and abiding by guidelines set by premium Indian educational agencies like Medical Council of India (MCI), The ILS and All India Council of Technical Eduaction (AICTE). The unprofessional attitude of IIPM is highly condemnable.

Here’s my half a cent worth.

http://vishkanya.blogspot.com/2005/10/blog-wars.html

also, from some of my friends.

Samit Basu
http://samitbasu.blogspot.com/2005/10/still-blinking-in-disbelief.html

Vishnupriya Sharma
http://sleepyface.blogspot.com/2005/10/blogger-and-scam.html

Laura
http://roadsanddays.blogspot.com/2005/10/with-you-rashmi.html

Prithviraj
http://mediaperspectives.blogspot.com/2005/10/is-india-free.html

Hemangini
http://hemanginigupta.blogspot.com/2005/10/gaurav-sabnis-story.html

so NDTV is doing the role of the arbitrator. Good to see that. But it’s evident from the non-coperation of IIPM, that they are in much shallow water than they claim and also no official statement giving the facts has come out yet from them.

I hope their disgusting acts and fraudulent claims meet the treatment they deserve !

(sad to know that today’s media coverage is postponed )

2 things:

[1] At what exact time does the program come on TV?

[2] Can we host a recording on the Net? Wont we have to take permission from NDTV first? We dont want to get into a legal tangle ourselves, do we?

And the program wont air tonight
http://alaphia.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-vs-bloggers.html

And I tried to comment on the post that announced the NDTV coverage but was unable to do so inspite of trying 6-7 times. Any tech problem at your end?

Maybe I am being paranoid but I just hope that the postponement is actually that and that NDTV has not shelved the program…

Varun,
I have removed the NDTV post as the program has been postponed.

Here is my view on it http://www.techmag.biz/Indian_blogger_vs_IIPM_whats_up

hey
Gaurav we are all with you…………..

The legality of the whole issue. Can we now sue the new bloggers for defamation of Rashmi’s character????

Why not submit this to Slashdot? I’m sue they’ll want to run this story as well…

My support here:
http://jatsdoit.blogspot.com/2005/10/i-want-legal-notice-too.html

Hope I get a legal notice too!!

Yeah, useless colleges need to be chucked out, atlest the future guys will have a better life

Support Rashmi and Gaurav fully. Aghast at the deliberate vilification.

To set record straight, wish to say A. Sandeep, Dean of IIPM was the one who was debarred from IIM, Calcutta for unethical practices and nefarious activities. If in doubt, go and ask any 1996 or 1997 IIMC pass out on his dubious reputation.

Hi! An update: I spoke to express last night and they seem to have published a story. Have done a on-camera interview with NDTV today, it should be aired on Mumbai Live at around 10:00 p,m. Be sure to watch!

NDTV program is back on!

Is anyone actually intending to sue IIPM for false advertisements? This should be the easiest way out to shut their tall claims and close them forever.
Wish I could watch the NDTV release, unfortuantely not in USA.

Good going Varna, DeisPundit and Gaurav.

Suggest we all unite and set up a blog dedicated solely to end such unethical practices and illegal activities going on in India. This one single blog should be the forum to help address all such issues and can be linked through all other blogs. That way we can all do our bit for our country. But with so many millions of blogs, we might be lost. Let us have one blog dedicated to such matters.

Let me know what you guys think.

Something fishy this way cometh

Here it is on NDTV:

http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Row+over+IIPM+blogs&id=79968

Have blogged about this and how, if they’re willing to burn their own laptops while claiming to be an educational establishment, should burn all other signs of being a school as well.

Dear People

Good Evening!

Why are we doing all this? Aren’t we all esclating and instigating this issue to a greater controversy?
What is the need of doing such ridicilous acts?
As, an alumni of the same Busines School ( Batch 1995-98) I admit to the fact that IIPM has been one of the best B schools in India and I have got substantial facts with me to take a strong stance. It’s being 7 and half years I have been working in various sectors at different capacities. What all that has been expressed here is the common unbelief based on the personal frustrating experiences of some of those who did not get placed in any organization or might have had some other reason to get indulged in such dirty piece of act.
Do we know what are we doing? Who are we targeting? How does it effect the image of those who have boasted upon various achivements in their professional careers and owe it compeletly to their learning platforms.
Well, it’s quite easy to raise fingers and dubious views about any institution advocating the fact that it is for a COMMON CAUSE.
I hereby condemn and feel sad for such incidents. It shows the extreme level of incompetency in us at such an age. We all are competent and confident enough to see what’s wrong and right at our surroundings. This Business School ( IIPM) has been in existence since 1973 and has produced top class performers holding various assignments in good blue chip orgaizations. I never as a matter of fact felt deprived of the fact that I am an alumni of the same business school. I am quite contented to see that I have been able to deliver quite well in life because of a strong platform and high value added learnings at IIPM.If you feel and getting into the quest of carrying out these ridiculous comparisions then do take some extra pain of finding some more facts about what students learn at IIPM.
People feel ashamed of the fact that it is quite easy to get into this institute and henceforth everything comes with an easy virtue…… I feel pity for such people who simply find their ways out to express their frustration in mapping their INCOMPETENCIES. We all are aware of the stringent procedures of getting in any of the IIM’s and other Management institutions. I have personally carried out a research sometime back to see the admissions process in these institutions. You will be stunned to notice that none of these educational institutions have a clear transparent procedure of imparting admissions to students. Here are some of the questions that need to be addressed:
All the IIM’s put together will not have more than 626 seats this year. Does that mean only 626 people have the right to be acclaimed and tagged as IIM’s alumni and get off a to a high start in their careers. Are we not confining the quality of education to some handful of people in the society and then talk about big reforms and knowldege transformation in the country based on their skills and knowledge? Does our contry need only 600 Management graduates every year. GIVE ME A BREAK……

Secondly, the quality of education at IIPM is at par with any of the edicational institutions not only in India but anywehere around the world. I have attended quite a few Management Development and Executive Development Programs held at various universities in India. Trust, me the amount of knowledge and skills that an alumni of this institute possesses is the same what people carry from different educational institutions?
Why there is a hue and cry when you see yourself at the same stage, enjoy the same status in the society and work among those who hail from various other segments from the society?
This entire exercise of dragging and swamping the image of an institution which has done radically well for the masses is quite sad and holds us responsible to the DAMAGE CONTROL EXERCISE. If we think, that anyone is malicious and operate with wrong intentions, then we must find out the reasons. Let’s not bombard and preach to any such conclusions.
Let’s all work in tandem and encourage the youth of India to add glory to this country. No educational institution is bad or good. Had this institute not been good or worthwile, it would have been a history. It is not a fly by night operator. It may not give you good breakthroughs at the intital stage but the value addition you get by studying here is really admiring. You probably might not realise it now but would feel it after sometime in your careers.
Issuance of a laptop or petty issues like tour of overseas hold no logic and worthless to be addressed. Therefore, please let’s not waste our time in tarnishing the image of any such institution rather if you feel that something needs to improved, then do exercise your democratic powers of bringing changes in a constructive manner.
Let’s talk and analyze the contributions of everyone out here.
I am sure that you will not feel bad about it.
I am quite sure that we all are competent enough to build our careers and lives on our own. Even for an instance if someone did not get the right opportunity somewhere,must not loose hopes.
Work hard to prove your ability, courage and determination towards goals in life.
All of you can reach me incase you need assistance. I feel that I might help you people out in removing your doubts and sweep the smoke screens.
Hope it puts an end to this controversy out here.
Cheers!

Regards

Gajendra Saini

By calling the whole thing a hoax we are in-directly bullying Gaurav. I think we got to wait and see before to any conclusions on this whole issue.

Varun I was glued to the set from 8.00 to 10.00 at night but there was nothing. At least I did not see anything.

Mr. Saini

How does one reach you ? You did not leave an email inside the post.

Also, you are completely off target about what the real issue is. The issue at hand is the bullying of the institute when its fraudulant advertising claims were exposed to the public. That is the issue at hand and not one of competence of the alumni etc.

I would love to tear apart your rant, point by point, but other commenters above have covered it in greater detail. Please read through it.

As far as IIPM being a “top” business school, even that is not true. Let alone top, it does not even have the basic accreditation required of such a learning institution.

Frankly it looks like a fly by night school, which has since 1973 flown under the radar. But when it tried to take off and get into the big league, it so loudly proclaims to be, people started asking question. And the rest is history…and evolving at that.

Other egalitarian statements you make contribute nothing to the issue at hand.

Work hard to prove your ability, courage and determination towards goals in life.

While this sounds very good, it is so generic that it could be applied to any profession and in any walk of life.

Here is more on IIPM and the Belgium Connection….

just FYI, ‘Mumbai Live” @10.30 PM tonight didnt carry any story on this issue.

I am thinking of joining IIPM.

How about creating a fund for the legal expenses of these people? May be what I am saying is not a good idea. It is just a suggestion.

Hello! Just an update. I think Mumbai Live intends to carry the story tomorrow. In the meantime I intend to stop posting about IIPm. Here’s why: http://absurdiav.blogspot.com/2005/10/last-post-on-iipm.html

Here is my 2 paisas worth –

http://www.tiffinbox.org/2005/10/bloggergate.html

I support Gaurav, Rashmi and Varna whole-heartedly.

http://deardeepthi.blogspot.com/2005/10/what-you-shouldnt-blog.html

As I say in my post above, I sort of pity the poor students studying in the pitiful institute. I mean, it really shows how worried they are if they are willing to burn the one and only laptop given to them by the institute :-p

Hello,
In this information overload, looks like people, especially those compiling it, are just skimming thru posts.
So let me just clarify, I said the electronic legal notices are a hoax as in they have very little legal standing. at best, these mails from IIPM are plain threats. They are from IIPM, they do communicate intent to sue but IN NO WAY CAN THESE NOTICES BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY UNTIL THE DEFENCE GETS SUCH COMMUNICATION ON PAPER AT HIS OR HER POSTAL ADDRESS.
Cuz, as the legal expert says, u can only send email notices after proceedings in court have started.
These email notices are not yet serious or real, IIPM just wanted to threaten the bloggers believe so. If they were serious, they wud be talking to the media and announcing intent to sue. The only official quote we’ve got till date is: “I don’t think so.” from All-India Dean of IIPM.
So obviously, they say it in public domain on paper, it does not hold water. Tomorrow, you can always tell the court u deleted a stupid mail asking u for 200 crores thinking it was spam or a bad joke!
Again, just a reminder, if you get one of these jokes asking for 175 crores or such pocket change, dont bother replying (cuz even if they are real, u get into trouble only by replying or acknowledging receipt) or telling the world u’ve got it. Let them send u a notice on paper, till then its only laugh-worthy.
The electronic legal notice is just another IIPM tall claim. Read it again, the notice ends by saying:
“Your formal response shall be expected by the 12 noon (Indian Standard Time) of 6th October 2005 ; failing which, we shall proceed with the parallel arrest proceedings against you.”
Arrest proceedings??? Duh, they are not the police. They cannot proceed to arrest you! Any real lawyer knows this. Obviously its one of those incompetent IIPM staff at work!!
There’s more…
“Refrain in the future from releasing any news item containing IIPM’s reference without the prior explicit written approval of IIPM.”
Any real lawyer knows that information in public domain can be shared by anyone with anyone unless its copyright protected by IIPM. And even suggesting taht you can’t release it reeks of stupidity.
You guys still want to believe its a real authentic legal notice??? I give up.

Suderman,

Of course the amount of information out there is crushing. But with what I mean when I say that this isn’t a hoax because Gaurav did resign from IBM due to some credible threats. The email notice IIPM sent might not have legal standing but their threat against speaking out freely still stands.

More fraud?

Interesting….

Patrix,
Have had some free time and spent it digging some details about the people listed in the “alliances” section of the IIPM page. Results are posted in my post. feel free to include them if you think they are worth the effort.

My take on the IIPM issue, blogging, and possible democratization of the media.
http://ashujo.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-blogging-and-democratization-of.html
Thanks
Ashutosh

I have added a post about this entire controversy on my blog at:
http://sibin.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-emi-ebms-isi-fbi-cbi-abc.html

ok, here’s my bit – One tight slap

I am an ex blogger. Have been away for a long time. But the crap that is being dished out might prompt me to make a comeback. Looks like this army could use another fighter.

May the force be with you all…
Keep up the good fight.

Penny

I am all for Gaurav and Rashmi. I have read Rashmi’s Articles on B-schools before, during the time i was preparing for CAT and other b school entrances.
What Gaurav has done is truly inspiring. I look up to him as a hero, though i cant say if i could have done the same if i was in his shoes, but now he has set an example for us to follow and has practiced what we bloggers seem to preach all the time.
When we talk about freedom of speech, we mean it.

My support to him.

Gaurav, we are all there with you.

I think this ‘legal notice’ story is too true to believe. According to me, this is just someone playing a prank on these bloggers. It’s similar to one of those mails I got couple of days ago from Prince Wajallah, eldest son of Queen Latifah of Burundi asking for a financial aid. This guy even sent his Bujumbura’s address

Moral of the story–> Some idotic fool who had nothing else to do on this planet, sat down on a computer, guised himself as the prince in the mail and thus became a father of the spam mail in this particular instance..

I thought Indians had freedom of speech. I sure can believe to some extent of a legal notice being served to a magazine (for what ever reasons), and I have seen some instances in past of magazine editors getting sued..

But this is absolutely ridiculous… Now that I have said that this IIPM thing or whatever is junk, are they run behind me sending me some kinda silly notices (analogous to the prince or burundi story) ?? My left foot !!!

I have given my email in this story. Let that fellow send a mail to me,as a dutiful american citizen, I will sue him,his family, his company for gazillions of $$ for causing me lots of mental agony and he and his generations to come will have to keep putting money in their piggy banks to repay my money…

Check it out.

In case people want to do more research on the web of deceit that surrounds IIPM – here goes. Gawker and others researched the institutions affiliated with IIPM – namely Barcelona Business School (BBS) etc. I thought I should take it a step further. BBS says its programs are validated by the “Global Council for Management Education” (reference: link at the bottom of the following page – http://www.bbs-edu.org/aboutus.htm )

So people, go ahead, visit the site for the Global Council for Management Education (GCME) and see what they are all about. Here is the link – http://www.gcme.org/index.htm

Its a half-assed site with little to no content, very little information and no ownership. Also it is incorporated in Nevada. I did a quick search on the Nevada Secretary of State site and here is the search results page: https://esos.state.nv.us/SOSServices/AnonymousAccess/CorpSearch/CorpDetails.aspx?CorpID=401841

Now why would Global Council with 1 person as the President, Secretary and Treasurer who incidentally resides in Belgium want to incorporate in Nevada of all places? Could it be because in Nevada you can get incorporated in 48 hours that too online?

Hmmm…something is rotten in Belgium.

Can someone do a whois lookup on all these parties and post the results?

Hmmm.. In case people want to do more research on the web of deceit that surrounds IIPM – here goes. Gawker and others researched the institutions affiliated with IIPM – namely Barcelona Business School (BBS) etc. I thought I should take it a step further. BBS says its programs are validated by the “Global Council for Management Education” (reference: link at the bottom of the following page – http://www.bbs-edu.org/aboutus.htm )

So people, go ahead, visit the site for the Global Council for Management Education (GCME) and see what they are all about. Here is the link – http://www.gcme.org/index.htm

Its a half-assed site with little to no content, very little information and no ownership. Also it is incorporated in Nevada. I did a quick search on the Nevada Secretary of State site and here is the search results page: https://esos.state.nv.us/SOSServices/AnonymousAccess/CorpSearch/CorpDetails.aspx?CorpID=401841

Now why would Global Council with 1 person as the President, Secretary and Treasurer who incidentally resides in Belgium want to incorporate in Nevada of all places? Could it be because in Nevada you can get incorporated in 48 hours that too online?

Hmmm…something is rotten in Belgium.

Can someone do a whois lookup on all these parties and post the results?

http://ifaqs.blogspot.com/2005/10/its-not-iipms-fault.html
My noise to the noise.

If IIPM had half as much as class as they claim to have … they’d have handled this better.

And as for that article on student burning their certificates .. I guess they just realised its really not worth a shit outside of IIPM campus.

Anyways .. this is a classic case of how freedom of speech gets opressed in this country. Very sad that an educational institution is setting such a bad example. They have done more damange to their reputation than they claim Saurav has. This is not how an institution should behave.

Oops.. have I said too much? Am I going to get sued too?

Yeah! An alum of IIML, Mr. Sabnis, you’ve done us proud….and also, in a way made a few of us ashamed at thinking of what we may have done in your situation. The hat is doffed to you and adoration and respect felt for you is something that words can’t express…..Cheers! And yes, count me in among those that lend a hand to this fight….the least I could do…

midnightmare.blogspot.com/2005/10/arin-be-damned.html

Well, something new here (sort of – article is from 2003):

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/10/23/stories/2003102300890400.htm

*deleted* (Please no personal attacks or ad hominem arguments! – DesiPundit)

BTW, he plans to enter into politics. I get the feeling it will be the Congress Party that will benefit from Dr AC’s infinite guru-dom….maybe it is the special mention of Ms. Gandhi towards the end of the article, or maybe I am just prescient.

I strongly believe that this is a cry for help from the inner child within our resident devil (Arindam Chaddu for the uninitiated)

His movie, titled “Rok Sako To Rok Lo” (Stop me if you can) screams out to the audience and to the people reading this blog that he really wants to be stopped. Now, will anyone oblige the poor chap?

BTW, see this link for the movie review
http://in.rediff.com/movies/2004/dec/10rok.htm

I am with Gaurav and Rashmi. IIPM has dig its own grave

The Man,

Thanks for the article. In October 2003 they planned to open branches in many destinations overseas -

“On the same lines as his management institutes in India, Arindam will shortly launch business schools in London, Geneva, Washington DC, Beijing and Singapore, offering a business philosophy where
EQ is often more important than IQ.”

The Man,

Please no personal attacks or ad hominem arguments! I am deleting your comment pertaining to facts not relating to this issue.

Hi… this is my second post on this story… it is a satirical version of why it is so important for us to win this battle:

http://mehtanirav.blogspot.com/2005/10/why-victory-is-important.html

Thanks for pointing that out Patrix.

So, while everyone is still hot on the topic of free speech etc, has anyone made a renewed effort to contact IIPM for their comments on the original JAM magazine article?

Given the level of noise, they may want to use the opportunity to refute the JAM mag claims!! If at all.

What Gaurav was doing was just quoting the article in Jammag. I dont think IIPM should pick up individuals and react so badly threatening to burn up the laptops, which sounds absurd.
IIPM might not be bad after all as quoted but they should have tried to prove people wrong instead of filing defamation suit. IIPM should have tried other means and not given a publicity to Gaurav nor earning a negative publicity for themselves.
Gaurav has turned out to be an overnight hero by even resigning from his job.

Looking out for more updates on this issue.

My two bits here:

http://sillysod.blogspot.com/2005/10/you-have-probably-heard-about.html

With you all the way.

Just Another View!

IIPM’s tall & lofty claims in its larger-than-life ads. are a farce and anyone but the most thickheaded can see thru its schemes.
On second thoughts, maybe IIPM can indeed teach the IIM’s a thing or two about management. After all, it did help spectacularly launch the career of a mediocre student (Arindam Choudhry) with flawless precision! That’s HR management at its best! I hope they are equally adept at crisis management!

Hi Gaurav,
I really feel proud of you! What you’ve done is really commendable – very rarely such a young mind can take such a significant moral stance against the filthy tricks of IIPM.

I’m really sorry that you had to loose your much deserved job at IBM. But let me tell you, if you’ve made it to IBM you’d make it to another place of equal repute in no time, so please don’t get disheartened…the facts about IIPM is spreading far and wide as I speak.

I leave outside of India. My brother goes to IIPM. We all have fallen victim to the fraudulent practices of IIPM.

The place simply sucks; it induldges in horrendously fraudulent/manipulative tactics to rip every student off – its every action is telltale of that. It’s excruciatingly painful to see how thousands of students year in and year out fall prey to their preposterous claims.
So my piece of advise is to all the potential MBA seekers – pleaaaaaase.. dont waste yours and/or your near/dear one’s hard-earned money which would eventually end up in con artist, Arindam Chaudhuri’s bank balance or in the day to today running of his or his cohort’s lavish life style.

Best regards and good luck,
Mila

Please feel free to pass/post my mail to every one around to warn the potential MBA seekers at IIPM.

There seems to be an interesting comment left by a lawyer blogger Vasu in Chakra’s blog on this issue.

http://www.chakkarapani.com/graffiti/?p=122

Dear friends,

Was really shocked at eh turn of events happening vis a vis IIPM and Guarav.
No PR guy worth his money would have retorted the way IIPM did and the way it is geting snowballed is simply because of its attitude.

I did have a little respect for Arindham but now I have decided to reconsider that.

Gaurav we are all with you. Lets see what happens and let them know just ads cant make better Management institutes.

Addded one more post on why its important for those ‘good’ IIPM students to force mgmt. to release damange control statements.

so its way past the deadline that IIPM’s “legal notice” had warned varna of..

just proves the cotton balls they have..

my second post on this matter.. legal gaggles by IIPM..

some insight on the validity and repurcussions of the legal notices served by IIPM..

Examining some of the questions and answers
(some of them raised by me but not on my blog) given by so called IIPM people blogs.

Visit my comment @ http://deepanjannag.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-fiasco.html

burning laptops!!! crazy act. if, just a thought, if we resort to burning the books ‘count ur …’ in front of IIPM??? how would mr.ponytail like it??

three cheers to the collective power of the indian blogosphere!
http://degreecopy.blogspot.com/2005/10/hes-been-jammed.html

here’s a comment from rashmi bansal’s blog….

At 1:23 PM, Vinayak said…

I study at the London School of Economics, and just to make sure everything is in order, Ray Richardson is not a professor. He is a reader, and is deputy director, but Prof. Raymond Richardson isn’t the right title for him, it’s Dr. Richardson! Oh wait… what do you know… it’s on IIPM’s home page

I support you gaurav and rashmi.IIPM has shown its mental insolvency and i strongly believe that IBM should have taken a step further and supported Gaurav, do they care more for sales… what if we bloggers start buring our IBMs…. do they know how many bloggers use IBM.. think..

I just signed the online petetion!!

And I posted on this topic. Please add me to the list of bloggers. http://www.abhishekk.blogspot.com

I also thot I will see what Gawker has written.

FOund some interesting points to share: Desipundits its worth to be a part of the update:

In the research & publication of both IMI and EBMS, so called European Schools of Management, we will find this and am producing this as found on the website.

#1.
“A must for every Indian. Read the agony of the nation and solutions to be a world leader in the epic tome..” This text was found on the right below the Great Indian Dream.

Now let IIPM tell us how are they selling this in Europe?

#2.
“A look into Germany’s Enduring Technological Miracle ” this is found above a book titled Indian Economy Review

We are all fools right???

#3. Strategic Innovators…

Ratan & his Mission called Tata

In this issue…
India Benchmarked: Ratan and his mission called Tata
Guest Column: Sweet Innovation
Insurance FDI: Right or Left?
Country Analysis: Confoederatio Helvetica (Switzerland): The Little Wonder
As you sow, so shall you reap
The Menacing Mutilation of Multilateralism
Getting Inventory right
Sector Analysis: Oil & Conflict Risks: Key prevention Strategies
Page of Excellence: Featuring Mr. Gurcharan Das ”

This is the last of their books featured, you will note that it has almost a dead topic on FDI in insurance…Any takers from IIPM

All the book covers seem to be of Indian ethos and the text running along side seem international only they should tell us how they worked on that.

A google search on Book on couple of titles, Strategic Innovators and Human Factor did not result any link to the said publication for almost first five pages at google.

No Alumni listed there, may be no students ever studied…

The Photo Album sucks looks like alate night party rather than a b-school affair. The cross country trip is worse as if it was a familytrip for the guys featured here.
http://www.timi.edu/gallery/studentparty2004/index.htm

Pretty disgusting stuff and IIPM has alliances with these….real pathetic story….

Is there any way to confirm that the so-called email legal notices were indeed sent by IIPM?

Whoever’s received a “notice”, dont delete it from your mailbox. You could get Rs.1 crore in compensation per email…

Bloggers Unite!!

Thumbs up!!
Me too lazy to prove a point! But if push comes to a shove, I will be there!

http://sleepyface.blogspot.com/2005/10/snippets.html

Check out
http://mmukundan.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-controversy.html
I too, have tried to do my part in this!

heres extending my support..

You know you dont even have to look far in blowing holes in IIPM’s stories. They have created enough inconsistencies for themselves in all the data thats put up on their own website and their affiliates. I have put my effort in showcasing the same at http://maheshnat.blogspot.com . Some of the gaffes are positively ridiculous. The case of IIPM vs. Bloggers is going be immortalized in the form of business cases of corporate ethics at all leading B-schools. May be the only way IIPM can connect to any of the ivy league eh?

In Defence of Gaurav Sabnis
When Indian courts are still dealing with defamation in traditional media, a new form – web defamation (through Blogs) seems to have taken the blogworld by storm (despite the fact that traditional media has been extremely sluggish in carrying this war to the masses and is busy writing snippets on who committed suicide where).

The IIPM Vs Bloggers case prompted me to prepare my defense for blogger Gaurav Sabnis. Here is my case

Getting the Basics Right
The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech to every citizen of the country. Article 19 of the Indian constitution states that all citizens have the right to freedom of speech and expression. This means that every citizen of the country is free to criticize anything from films, religion, politics, government, bureaucracy to even politicians. Free speech is also protected by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
(The legal cell of IIPM headed by Mr. A. Saxena, could have bothered to clarify this before threatening to sue Gaurav)

What can IIPM sue Gaurav for?
When Saxena says –
“This notice is with respect to your releasing totally false articles about IIPM on the website blogspot.com (reference blogger.com) that has your clear reference and that has been released by you with proven deliberate and fraudulent intentions to harm the image of IIPM and related businesses. The articles have caused unfathomable damage to the reputation of IIPM and to its various operational areas. The articles further have affected innumerable future operations of IIPM� , he is struggling to tell Gaurav that he might sue him for defamation and specifically for libel.

Before we proceed let us understand both the terms in question.
Defamation is an “attack” on the reputation of a person (Here a company or a corporation is also treated like a natural person). It is called libel if it is in writing and is known as slander if it is spoken (or any temporary form).
Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code defines Defamation as under – Whoever by words, either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations, makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person, is said except in specified cases, to defame the person.
It is not enough just to know the definition of defamation.It is imperative to know that under the Indian Constitution the law of defamation has been framed only to prevent a person from indulging in unnecessary or unwarranted or false criticism rising possibly out of malice or personal vendetta and thereby laying down standards of speech and writing.

This implies that Gaurav cannot be held for defamation because
1.He didn’t not falsely criticize IIPM. His opinions were based on facts contained in the article published by JAM Magazine. In blog defamation settlements abroad it has been held that if a blogger links to defamatory content, the blogger cannot be ordinarily held liable for defamation.2. He had no malice or personal vendetta against Arindam or IIPM

Secondly Gaurav if sued can be sued for libel.
Libel is
1.Publication of a false and defamatory statement tending to injure the reputation of another person without justification or excuse; -
Gaurav can’t be held for defamation under this clause since his first post itself is linked to the article in JAM Magazine
2.In some permanent form e.g. written, printed, pictures, statue, waxwork, effigy, caricature, signs or picture marks on walls;
Again this doesn’t explicitly include blogs, though this rule can be applicable.
3.Under (English) Law, is both a civil & criminal wrong;
4.Is by itself, an infringement of the right to reputation and no actual damage need be proved. I am assuming that the IIPM legal team noticed just this when they say ‘Even though the damage caused by your deliberate and fraudulent intentions cannot be calculated…’

Thirdly the Indian Penal code, in the clause specifying Defamation of a Company/Corporation contains that the defamation shall be
–Not actionable per se, if the statement in question refers to the personal character or reputation of its officers. That is Gaurav cannot be sued for comparing Arindam to Parnab Mukherjee.Now that the case has been clearly stated, let us see the three defences that Gaurav has.

Defences
Justification by truth
·The principle behind this defence is that the law will not permit a man to recover damages in respect of an injury for character, which either he does not, or ought not to possess

Fair and bonafide comment
·A fair and bona fide statement in matters of public interest (for example, pertaining to books, pictures, theaters, concerts, local authorities etc.) will not constitute a libel.
Since Gaurav has posted his blog in good intention in order to protect the future of several MBA aspirants, he shall be rightfully defended for making a fair statement in public interest.
·The term “fair” in this context means that it must be honest and relevant to the context but not tainted with malice
·The comment must be based on true facts, though they may be slightly exaggerated

Privilege
Qualified Privilege – which is available to a speaker for communication made in the course of legal/social/moral duty, for self—protection, for protection of common interest and for public good; reports of Parliamentary and judicial proceedings and proceedings at public meetings

Last word
I cannot express in those many words the disgust I feel for IIPM. With my arguments, I just want to reiterate that everyone has a right to disagree, oppose, vary in opinion and criticize an injustice. So dear Gaurav, of course IIPM can go ahead and sue you. But they ‘ll lose.
In case they file a suit,simply countersue them for costs and legal fees.

I don’t know what I can say beyond what has been already. In the end, I hope sense and sensibility do finally prevail!

Inshallah. Amen. Bhagwaan kare. etcetera.

It’s an interesting discussion- I certainly feel that it is important to maintain our freedom of speech in the blog world- after all, a blog is an online journal of one’s opinions and thoughts. And everybody is absolutely entitled to an opinion.
And the way the writers claiming to be IIPM students have been responding is totally off-putting.

Some more unhatched eggs from IIPM’s basket. Check out the extra-ordinary strategic course on MS-Word. All about creating files/folders. I am amazed by the bleeding-edge mgmnt education imparted at IIPM.

http://ravikumar.blogdrive.com/archive/303.html

Just noticed this,

http://piyushgaryali.blogspot.com/2005/10/what-could-have-been-funnier.html

I support free speech. I support expression of speech. IIPM’s Anirdam should be publically questioned. Rashmi, I support you.

My contribution to the efforts is a piece of satire. I hope you will feature it and that I will receive constructive feedback (no Mr. A, lawsuits are not feedback).

Regards,
Santosh

I guess with all these links and noise, IIPM is justifiably doomed forever! Our next step has to be to make other people who do not follow blogs aware of this, because lots of independent bloggers has dug up quite a lot of detective stuff about IIPM partners/offices/websites/etc. May be someone can read all these links (!) and summarize on one page?

My take in Tamil – http://urpudathathu.blogspot.com/2005/10/blog-post_14.html

I have got a lawyer friend to analyze IIPM’s notice for us.

You can read his take at: Dissecting IIPM’s “First Notice of Legal Summons”

Just to let you guys know that I’m in it too

Just wanted to let you guys know my support too!

they can bringout a full page ad….but they cannot take our freedom of free speach….

count me….

o3.indiatimes.com/chicchatting

new words n this at http://usandthem.rediffblogs.com

Mr. Saxena has just outdone himself. He has left a threatending comment on my Blog. For those who don’t know: IIPM has officially denied sending me a notice. I want to put myself in the clear. Here I respond to Mr. Saxena’s comment on my blog: http://absurdiav.blogspot.com/2005/10/sinking-to-new-lows.html

I support Gaurav for having shown courage and standing by his words.

Cheers !!!

A Raheja
Advocate, Delhi High Court

http://www.ankurraheja.com/weblog
http://www.cyberlawyer.in

‘Bloggers against IIPM’ community created on Orkut

http://ashujo.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-on-orkut-orkut-is-large-community.html

Its now on NDTV.com
check out the link
http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Row+over+IIPM+blogs&id=79968

hello frns,
iam a student of IIPM.i know wat iam getting frm IIPM. pls do check the facts with some students and start comenting on any institute. you people here talk about freedom of speech. i respect that and appreciate that but that doesn’t give you right to malign one’s reputation. IIPM has done a PR blunder by serving notices to these people. but doesn’t mean inistiute is any way bad. i can defend this at any place.

Another strange behaviour i found here -any one who supports IIPM is man of arindam choudry. pls heaven sake people like us also shld have our say.
i can safely say IIPM’s standard is far better than so many institutes that have accrediation from AICTE.

People pls do understand how much it takes to grow reputation of a institue.pls don’t tarnish image of an institute without knowing the facts.

Frns pls don’t act in haste.

Yet another one from me, looking at it from a “management perspective”

http://balancinglife.blogspot.com/2005/10/client-needs-and-product-features.html

Mr. Saini,

May I respectfully submit that please speak for yourself. I know fairly well what the issues involved are, none of which are addressed in your comment. Also, like several others posted by IIPM students and alumni you make this needlessly into an IIM-IIPM issue, which it most certainly is not.

Thanks for your effort in portraying the combined strength against babu-dom, hope this changes the mindset of corporations back home. I think IIPM conducted itself very poorly, anyway, I had blogged a while ago. We saw what happened to Pradyuman Maheshwari. Lets not let this happen again.

Thanks
prope//er
http://clorange.com/?p=156

Thanks for your effort in portraying the combined strength against babu-dom, hope this changes the mindset of corporations back home. I think IIPM conducted itself very poorly. We saw what happened to Pradyuman Maheshwari. Lets not waver this time.

Thanks
prope//er
http://clorange.com/?p=156

Bring out the writer in you! Weave a story! Watch your story unfold with your fellow bloggers.New twists, new turns while this absurd fiction goes places. See your story through virtual eyes.

Visit my blog for more details.

http://www.bachelorblues.blogspot.com

Such insititues of dubious claims dot the Indian educational system in large numbers which robs of the innocent students and parents who fall in their traps. The fees that are charged by such institutes are really large and they thrive because of people’s patience and acceptance of mediocrity. Accountability has lost its meaning in the moral fabric of Indian society and it is time we start to demand answers from corrupt systems. Keep it up blogosphere and all the people who are blogging about the subject keep the flame burning untill IIPM learns its lessons.

Wow!! I had written about the same in the month of July and suddenly started getting a few comments, nearly 3 months later, apparently by IIPM alumni and current O&M guys (advertising agency). Check them here
http://kanishkaagiwal.blogspot.com/2005/07/thok-sako-to-thok-lo.html
Definitely stand by Gaurav and Rashmi.

http://kanishkaagiwal.blogspot.com

I don’t have any opinion on this IIPM business. Its gotten way out of whack for everyone involved and has led to far too much unpleasantness and drama. I liked the pre-fiasco blogosphere. A cozy little community of people writing because they liked to. Insulated from the crazy politics and controversies of the world outside. Those were the good days !

But I do think that ‘Rok sako to rok lo’ is a ridiculous name for a movie. It sounds like someone with an upset stomach.

1. Communication from the institute to a leading global corp: http://daytimeruminations.blogspot.com/2005/10/some-more-on-guru.html

2. Is the institute website spamming popular search engines: http://daytimeruminations.blogspot.com/2005/10/continuing-with-guru.html

I am glad this whole thing is blowing up in IIPM’s face.

Those publicity guys at IIPM who keep churning out all that IIPM and Arindham Chaudhari balderdash must surely be ruing their acts.

Allo,

Me a journalist with the Economic Times in Chennai, been hounding these IIPM people for the last two days on this story but they just seem to be re-directing me to the “concerned department” continuously, haven’t had any comment from anyone, acceptance nor denial.

Me thinks they are sending me on one wild goose circular chase.

They will be sorry.

Praveen

P.S: My blog URL. Count me in.

That’s

http://www.wildegoosechase.blogspot.com

My dean just came and told me he saw the controversy on NDTV and says it was probably mentioned on CNBC. I went to movie a yesterday as a cure for a headache and missed it but did anyone else see it? Any repeat telecasts?

http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/?p=208

Zzats ethan zuckerman joining in!

Do you know how many names are there in that big block starting from Harini and at the monemt ending at ~J~? I counted. Why more than 247 people believe Rashmi, Gaurav and Desipundit more than mainstream media (I did a google news search and to see what mainstream media has been writing prior to this fiasco)?

Joichi “Joi” Ito, VC, Creative Commons board member etc. joins in.

This is an important issue where, as the GV post points out, the USP of the country is its open democracy.

http://wisedonkey.blogspot.com/2005/10/aargh-diaries-to-blog-and-be-sued.html

All the best:)

At the risk of sounding like a wet blanket lemme urge all ye bloggers to move on. The world knows about IIPM now. Thanks to the unified action by all of us, no one will dare to prosecute our fellow bloggers. Gaurav Sabnis will get a better job (i hope). IIPM will watch their back before doing anything stupid….I say this, because a lot many futures are at stake. To my knowledge close to a 1000 people are currently students at IIPM. The more muck we throw at IIPM, the more we are endangering the potential careers of these thousand people. Think about it. Put yourself in the shoes of the IIPM students. And act accordingly.

http://thalassamikra.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-indian-politics-and-why.html
I don’t need to say any more!

well to tell u the truth …(he who shud not be named) is one of the reasons i dont keep a pony tail. since always i hav always thought this mr. u know who is always full of crap and their ads always shot over the phenko limit. all brag and nothing credible to show off. his name associations hav been to much to digest .. and writing ones PERSONAL opinion on a PERSONAL space is LEGAL…lets sue him for trespassing the PERSONAL space.

psst:: BEWARE people trespassing my blog can be SUED/BEATEN for evasion of my privacy )

More from my side…

Arindam Chaudhuri’s own quotes contradicting with reality !!

http://psomu.blogspot.com/2005/10/long-live-gaurav-long-live-rashmi.html

I had a comment on my blog questioning why I was hell bent on ruining the future of the students at IIPM.

I have replied to it.

You might want to add something to my response or debate the issue further…

IIPM releases an official statement to journalists…

http://presstalk.blogspot.com/2005/10/official-statement.html

http://o3.indiatimes.com/applesandwomen/archive/2005/10/15/291653.aspx#Comments
that’s my other blog where i’ve given my small take on the whole issue. though it may not be profound…nevertheless showing my support to the blogging community…

* my full support *

Hi… I have had a lot of people telling me to verify where my ‘notice’ came from. I have. Read this: http://absurdiav.blogspot.com/2005/10/last-word.html

Count me in on the fight. This cannot be tolerated.

This second part follow up on iipm spamming search engines

IIPM website search engine Spam – How to report to google,yahoo and msn search engines
http://puneetworld.indiablogs.org/archives/2005/10/iipm_website_ca.html

this one focus on how can people help inform the search engine so that they can penalise the iipm website or remove it from their index or take appropriate action so calling all

A detailed post is on my blog, but in nut:

There are three different issues here:
-False information advertised by IIPM
-Actual quality of IIPM
-Freedom of Speech

JAMMAG wanted to evaluate ‘Actual Quality of IIPM’ but their article is all about ‘False information advertised by IIPM’. What i am trying to say is that instead of focusing on what IIPM offers, they talked only about what IIPM does not offer. The article thus, does not help me judge ‘Actual Quality of IIPM’ in respect to other management institutes or in absoulute sense.

Instead of expected formation of several groups based on their views on these three different topics, unfortunately only two groups emerged. Almost all people (read bloggers) took side based on the ‘Freedom of Speech’ issue. Thus, the debate completely drifted from being about IIPM (either of the first two issues) to ‘freedom of speech’.

JAMMAG who had exercised their ‘Freedom of speech’ to write an article on ‘False information advertised by IIPM’, got tremndous support from bloggers, who (most) had no idea or only little idea (which does not suffice for vehement support) about ‘Actual quality of IIPM’ , thus unconciously teaming up against IIPM and being percieved as agreeing and suggesting that ‘Actual Quality of IIPM’ is very poor.

My god!! Have the IIPMs got themselves into a soup or what??

I’m sure they deserve every bit of the negative publicity that they are garnering at the moment!! I have always despised their advertising gimmicks!

My the devil be more kind to them and their institution!

I have added this post to my blog. And will request my fellow blogger friends to do so too.

http://sv.typepad.com/forsv/2005/10/the_blogger_and.html

Nice job with the updates..!
IIPM sux..

hi!!
Arindam Chaudhuri should be jailed.
Criminal he is

This Malai Chaudhari thingy stinks. Great job bloggers. I think one must investigate Planman Consulting next. Because I smell a rat, there. I mean, which consulting firm in the world makes dud movies (rok sako to rok lo), funds an NGO (the great indian deam foundation), pumps up a management guru (u know who), stages rock shows (if you didn’t know Michael Learns to Rock was brought to India by Planman), launches a magazine (Business & Economy), a political party (Malai chaudhari’s)and works with corporates. My gut feel is Planman was set up to keep the IIPM grads busy. According to the great indian dream foundation website, planman makes 36 crores annually. i have provided this basic grist hoping that many of you bravehearts will investigate planman. i think the results of the investigation will provide us enuf fodder to write a john grisham kinda book or screenplay. may be we can pitch this script to planman later

hey there,I have also written small article on this episode. Please check it out!

http://vikramh.blogspot.com/2005/10/blog-squashed.html

Guess who claims to provides consulting to Mckinsey, Ernst and Young,PWC..
http://www.planmanconsulting.com/founder.html
screen dump of the same on http://whencorneredconfuse.blogspot.com/

Maybe, THIS should be validated as well!!!

I have been following the incident. But i have few concerns:
What is the aim of this fight ?
I mean when will the fight end ? Do we want a public apology from Arindham C ? Or do we want someone to uphold the rights of a blogger legally ? Or do we want compensation for Gaurav,Rashmi and Varna ?

Just a covering in the mainstream media will not do much justice. I know that the wannabe students will be alarmed by all this Technorati ranking, but that is not the PRIME and FIRST motive of this discussion , right ? Gaurav too will get his job back at IBM or he shall get somewhere else once the discussion cools down and gets old.

I suggest this to be taken up legally. Can we not file a case against IIPM ? Or is it already being done ? Or should we wait for their next step, and what if there is no next step ?

We all remember nothing happened to those exposed by the sting operations by Tehelka even after wide media coverage and awareness…I am afraid the bloggers voice is too weak to cause serious enough damage or to get an apology.

What I feel is, we need to act.

Those are my thoughts. Hopeful of a reply.

Rgds,
Sai

The IIPM controversy
The controversy revolving around IIPM, Rashmi Bansal and Gaurav Sabnis is just atip of an ice-berg. There are many others who are looting students year after year in the name of education and degrees with false promises. I admire JAMMAG/Rashmi Bansal and Gaurav Sabnis for the strength and conviction they have shown to reveal the truth. I am surprised at the reaction of IIPM and its students. Do we accept the age old saying, “might is right” and let them attack the bloggers and journalists and curb the right to free speech. I admire Gaurav Sabnis for his actions and the inaction and inability of IBM to support Gaurav is depressing.
I wish we could have more Gauravs and Rashmis with us.
Let the truth prevail.

New blog on blogspot to support Gaurav and Rashmi (Free speech).

http://weirdpoet.blogspot.com/

In case the IIPM topguns atlast realise that they have messed up big time and start distancing themselves from the legal notices aka threats,
Can the recipients of these shady correspondences record their full headers here please? For the record!

The IIPM controversy
The controversy revolving around IIPM, Rashmi Bansal and Gaurav Sabnis is just atip of an ice-berg. There are many others who are looting students year after year in the name of education and degrees with false promises. I admire JAMMAG/Rashmi Bansal and Gaurav Sabnis for the strength and conviction they have shown to reveal the truth. I am surprised at the reaction of IIPM and its students. Do we accept the age old saying, “might is right” and let them attack the bloggers and journalists and curb the right to free speech. I admire Gaurav Sabnis for his actions and the inaction and inability of IBM to support Gaurav is depressing.
I wish we could have more Gauravs and Rashmis with us.
Let the truth prevail.
My link on blogspot to support the free speech.
http://weirdpoet.blogspot.com

My support here.

I support freedom of speech and expression. Anybody opposing it should be squashed.

I read their statement. The stiffness in their attitude hasnt waned a bit !!
They are also threatening of legal action, but should Gaurav, Rashmi, Varna have to wait till IIPM makes their move?
They have also very categorically avoided disclosing facts on the claims raised by JAM.

What if they dont sue anyone, including the JAM mag. Gaurav wud never get justice. Desparate students would still stand in long queues outside IIPM when the next course starts. Read on Puneet’s blog @ spamming. Will that really help. Will the online petition ever make it to the court of law.

After a month or two, everyone wud forget what hppnd in this slice of time.

I support. You should see the IIPM building in Madras. Its a small place. But the photo on the IIPM website looks like the building is some 15 stories.

Also please stop Arindam Chaudhari from making Movies like – ROK SAKO TOH ROK LO…

i totally support your movement. its time ponytailed idiots come to know the true power of blogging and free speech (it cant be squashed).
is there any way for me 2 help?

Saw this quote on the IMI forum website:

“If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.” – Albert Einstein
- (Added by: Camiel Jeurissen): on IMI Forum page
http://www.timi.edu/forum/logon.asp?error=needregistration

IRONIC, wouldn’t you say??

Rashmi and Gaurav did a good thing to expose the phoney and false claims of IIPM…. Its good to find that how powerful blogs can be …. IIPM has been offering degrees which are not even recognised in India….

I personally thank rashmi and gaurav to bring everything to light about IIPM…..

i am still wondering about the strength of blogs in bringing out the truth. i have also shown my support to Rashmi and Gaurav in my blog.

http://www.findingtheroot.blogspot.com

Here is me adding my bit:

surplusmusings.blogspot.com

My Thoughts:
Is Gaurav Really being wholly truthful – the IIPM Vs the bloggers

Hello,
You said no updates, so I don’t know if this makes sense, but after I put up the post proposing the protest idea (we’re going through with it next Monday), I’ve had an annonymouse comment from someone claiming to be a student of IIPM, Bangalore, threatening “we’ll be waiting for you.” I’ve posted the relevant comment as an update to the post on my blog.
We are trying to garner solidarity for the march from other creative communities (writers, theatre people, etc. ) We’re getting in touch with well-known peole here in Bangalore (Mahesh Dattani etc.) and statements of support from emminent people/academics would be really helpful.
Also, we’re reaching out with flyers etc. to the campuses here, especially to journalism dept.s of colleges.

Have added my 2cents on my blog with a post titled “Dare to think beyond the IIMs and we’ll slap you with a law suit.”

catinator.blogspot.com

“Dare to think beyond IIM”.If someone is giving it a try let them to do it.I would compare it with caste system prevalent in India.that the caste lower in rung should not take on upper castes
I don’t think Gourav is any one to comment on design aspect,what is his competency in this matter.He is just out of college and pointing fingers.
Just think of the students out there and how itz going to impact there future.Letz not try to dictate terms and allow people to do what they feel is right

Gaurav should file a case against IIPM and ask for his life security.

On Andy’s ‘Varna Apologises’ blog and related posts…

http://absurdiav.blogspot.com/2005/10/on-language-idiots.html

Have you people seen the Noam Chomsky and Steve Ballmer (both fake blogs) blogs? Technorati search will take you there. Or it is also at

http://traveltalesfromindia.blogspot.com/2005/10/latest-cheap-stunt-in-iipm-saga.html

IIPM, Indian politics, and why Government of India websites are so fun

Click here
http://thalassamikra.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-indian-politics-and-why.html

… How is this possible?!
http://www.iipm.edu/iipm-history.html says
..”After resigning from Professorship at IIM Bangalore (Indian Institute of Management), Dr. M. K. Chaudhuri established the Institute in 1973. Dr. Chaudhuri, AFTER having been a Professor at XLRI Jamshedpur, XIM Bhubaneshwar, and having been the founder director of management courses at IMT Ghaziabad, took over as Research Professor and founder Director. The first residential full-time Post-Graduate Diploma Programme commenced on 12th August 1974″

And according to http://www.imt.edu/
IMT Ghaziabad was founded IN 1980. How pray, did Dr. Chaudhuri start IIPM AFTER being founder director of IMT?!

Another interesting mention at Instapundit of IIPM(if this has been posted earlier, sorry for double posting)

http://instapundit.com/archives/026232.php

How about raising the stakes against IIPM and taking the battle to where they would care. Check out some viral suggestions at my blog

Got to know about this only today. So adding my bit :

http://questor.blogspot.com

Hey, you guys are doing a great job and both Gaurav and Rashmi need our support!

I have been reading about this IIPM issue for the last 2 days and what really puts me off is the way the institute (“reputed” as they claim) & its students reacted to it.
I think Gaurav should sue them back for the mental stress & time waste & his loss of money …should be fun to watch them sweat.

it’s an outrageous act..seems like these people had nothin better to do ..or mebbe they wantd sm fame in their life by piggybacking on the good reputation Rashmi and Gaurav have garnered in all these months..But as they say..gud ppl have to go thru many tough phases in their life..juss to make them tougher..so all the best to Rashmi and Gaurrav..juss have faith on ur integrity..u’ll come out of it with flying colors

here’s what MSNBC says about it!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3395977/

Well Varna discovered that IIPM.edu is hosted at http://thewebhostingpeople.com/

… we found iipm.info and it’s being hosted at http://theunixhostingpeople.com/

we pulled up the record on the domain from godaddy re iipm.info and the details are here:
http://iipmwatch.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipminfo-and-another-page-on-tripodcom.html

We’re beind every single blogger and student or anyone else IIPM has wronged!

Blog On!

Read on …..Dr. Malay Chaudhuri on the best style of governance!

http://iipmwatch.blogspot.com/2005/10/dr-malay-chaudhuri-on-best-style-of.html

Can u believe this?

http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/10/20/stories/2005102000990100.htm

Guess who’s IIPM’s lawyers?

http://iipmwatch.blogspot.com/2005/10/guess-whos-iipms-lawyersattorneys.html

Hi,
Sent this to patrix by mail as well. We have created an online petition and also created an e-mail meant to be sent around as a forward. The text is carried on my blog. We request all bloggers to carry it as a post on their blogs, sign the petition, and mail the statement to their contacts.
Arka

I still can’t make out what is this website all about. Can anyone clarify please. Though for that matter I spent only a minute or so out here since I landed on this site by accident. Will take another look next time round. thanks!

http://static.flickr.com/29/54533084_e5e7037f31_o.png

Read my post http://surgingwaves.blogspot.com/2005/10/iipm-controversy.html

http://sleepyface.blogspot.com/2005/10/management-mantras.html

Look here:
http://stravinskyss.blogspot.com/2005/10/dont-let-iipm-fool-you-destroy-your_22.html

A reply I received from a guest speaker at IIPM campuses this month from the University of Cambridge who states that IIPM are all about training and she wouldn’t advise anyone to do their degree there cos IIPM degrees aren’t validated by anyone….

an honest response from someone who IIPM likes to claim as they’re global faculty!

I hope her name doesn’t get used by IIPM to boast that the IIPM faculty are from the University of Cambridge in their next ad!!!

Cheers!

It is interesting to see that the IIPM website has the domain .edu. A note below is from wikipedia about the institutions having an .edu domain. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.edu

“Under the present system, only post-secondary institutions that are accredited by an agency on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies are eligible to apply for a .edu domain. Most such agencies accredit only US institutions, so very few non-US institutions qualify, and .edu remains an almost exclusively American top-level domain.”

However an exception is if they had applied for the domain much earlier.

I just found this blog battle, and have not had time to review all the evidence presented.

I have included a reference to this at the Bastiat Free University blog. Our students may learn by observation or participation, and are free to act as they see the opportunity.

http://bfuniv.blogspot.com/2005/10/controversy-and-blogs-for-dispersed.html

Overall the bloggers responses seem to have reflected a pursuit of truth.

The dispersed research shows great power and effectiveness.

I will probably post again once I have more complete knowledge.

This is in reality an extended meeting to discuss a topic of importance to all of us.

Freedom of speech and the power of connection.

Allan

kinda late for this, but i get to be number 401 !
my thoughts : http://anish7.blogspot.com/2005/10/and-justice-for-all_23.html

hey hi guys
i wanted to know more abt IIPM n also a bit of ICFAI my cousin is plannin to join IIPm, sp i needed the guidance please send it to my mail nabeel007@gmail.com

ive read enuf of this stuff….

funny how evry1 seems to be an expert on my college. declaring it a fraud and so on. yes, entry to my college is easier than a lot of other college… but does that nessecarily make iipm bad/fraud/rest of the bul*** .

Infact im greatful it gave me a chance to pursue a worldclass MBA programme.(please there is no argument about course content and as far as faculties are concerned they are they same bunch that that teach at IIT,IIFT,FMS and IMI)plus how many B-schools students can boast to attended lectures from Kotler,Steven Covey,Joel Stein or Zig Zigler(to name a few) but i can.

im not defending any action or criticising the right to free speech …. but yes irresponsible unckecked banter/lies/ can harm ppl(read students) more whom every1 seems to b concerned about.

to end i will give u a true fact im a second year IIPM delhi student … who has been placed in an korean electronics major(read NO.1 consumer durables in india) with a CTC of 4.5L pa. through campus 2 weeks ago.and the placement season has just started. I leave for the the readers to judge about my college…… not that IIPM needs ne 1s aproval.

http://www.aljazeerah.info/Opinion%20editorials/2005%20Opinion%20Editorials/October/21o/Blogging%20in%20Asia%20Aint%20Safe%20No%20More%20By%20Zafar%20Anjum.htm

-Raapi

Is IIPM still suing people or have they given up after Varna? I really want one of those 175 crore lawsuits.

I had started reading the Great Indian Dream a few days ago and actually came across this issue on the web via OSS channels. It is indeed a sad affair. Methink IIPM should really rethink their stand on this issue [not that it is likely to happen] and just come out clean, and take this as a learning experience. Just my 0.02 bytes worth.

I dont know how my blog appeared on this site at comment no. 407 but I am very happy nevertheless.

I have a friend who is studying in IIPM …….but the problem is that he wont believe my words ..but to be frank he’s not likin it himself….its crap from the inside too ……
just my 2 paisa….

Also can someone please start a petition to stop internet censorship…i have drafted a bit but still it should be powerful.Please some1 start

This is fantastic support! I appreciate the effort and fully support the fight!

http://www.desihub.com/blog/page/mihir/20051013#indian_blogosphere_heating_up

-mihir

That’s the way to go!! hope that this wave will bring about many such ‘IIPM’s’ lurking around.

I am not sure of the current state of affairs at IIPM. As far as their ad goes in the media declaring to think above the IIM`s. I guess they have the right to say what they feel about their institution. As far as issues regarding the accrediation of IIPM is concerned. The states where IIPM is operating have their own laws governing the educational institutions operating in the state.

I also empathize with the fact that the students of IIPM strongly for their institute.
What is not acceptable is the manner in which the mail was sent to gaurav and rashmi. Its tone was less a legal notice and more of a threat to cause incovenience mentally or financially.

If Arindam wants to repudiate the comments made on him. He should do so by bringing a white paper on the matter. If he can issue front page ad`s in national dailies about his institute. And that if the blog of Gaurav can cause losses of the tune of 125 crores, then i am sure Arindam has the necessary urgency and the resources to protect his and IIPM`s reputation.

So i am waiting for Arindam to ward off the claims in the blog and come clean. The cheap theatrics of trying to intimidate someone airing his views is not acceptable and tolerable.

Redeem yourself and your students faith in you arindam the right way if you feel so strongly about the whole issue.

FYI guys….Arindam Chaudry had made a movie called Rok Sako TO Rok LO …..does anyone rem it……Sunny Deol and Namrata Shirdkar ^_^

Man!!!

I feel aghast that the very institute that is supposed to teach ethics and responsibilities does this –

we stand by you guys throught everything

Truth will prevail!!!!

Its clear that only confirmed morons have joined IIPM in the past and there will be many confirmed morons who will join IIPM in the future. No amount of blogging can save any moron from joining IIPM. So IIPM management have actually proved that (a) they are morons when they sued and protested. (b) they don’t know that they are morons and need bloggers to tell them that. (c) they don’t know that their students are morons and need bloggers to tell them that.

Guys,

The continuing saga of lies that the professor has perfected. In the morning newspaper of HT today, there was this ad of their magazine ‘Business & economy’. It starts by claims of EXCLUSIVE columns by Jack Welch and Naom Cmomsky. I wondered about these great people writing for a magazine like B & E and searched the web. Lo and behold, it was avalaible everywhere and the New York times syndicte is selling it for a very very small price. I am sure, if you talk to the looney professor, he will give his own excuses.

Well, this matter is over.Only worried abt security of some people involved. Is there anybody can suggest HOW IIPM SHOULD HAVE HANDLED THE CASE,
OR should do now as damage reduction exercise…
Any devil’s advocate there ?? This is a challenge to upcoming lawyers and managers….

I work in IT MNC. My colleague is IIPM Mumbai Post Graduate of 2003-05 batch. His take home in India is USD 110 per month! He is now working in Europe for the same company. There he draws USD 6000 per month.

I am not interested in proving this to any TOM, DICK or HARRY.
If any IIM students want to challenge this claim, please post your contact info and I will be glad to give you proof. I am especially interested in showing this to the IIM professor who has written about Arindam and IIMP.

His take home in India is USD 1100 per month!

USD 1100 take home per month for student of 2003 batch! WOW! Thats cool!

I am woking with Infosys. We have MBA’s from many B schools. I feel IIM guys are at PAR in work to MBA’s from other B schools like Jamnalal, Wellinkars, SP Jain. Also have few guys from IIPM.I feel they too are at PAR with the above mentioned B-Schools.

One problem with IIM guys is they come with lot of ATTITUDE which is washed away when they start cracking real life work problems. Cracking CAT doesnt mean they are good at work.

Has any one seen the ad about Dr. M K choudhury in the Indian express. These guys are going to defend themselves till IIPM vanishes. You would also have seen the stories on CNBC of late. Here is to the death of IIPM.