Shillong leads in race for next IIM

Shillong is far ahead of all other North-East state capitals in the race to win the Indian Institute of Management that will come up in the region. HRD Ministry sources say the Meghalaya capital is considered ahead of the other strong contender, Guwahati, because the latter already has an IIT.

Earlier, a committee of chief ministers from the North-East failed to make much headway. Most CMs wanted the IIM for his own state. The Nagaland CM preferred Dimapur, while his Mizoram counterpart pleaded for Aizawl. Similarly, other cities in the race were Imphal, Guwahati and Shillong.

With the impasse continuing, a smaller three-member committee comprising the HRD secretary, secretary, department for development of north eastern region, and the IIM-Calcutta director was set up to recommend its choice. It is learnt this committee has almost made up its mind to opt for Shillong.

There are two reasons. Minister for Tribal Affairs and North-East P.R. Kyndiah is also from Meghalaya and would want an IIM for Shillong. Also, it would help the Congress score a few brownie points and further isolate arch rival and former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Sangma.