In the annals of academia and management, the name Bala Balachandran resonates as a symbol of inspiration and innovation. Born on 5 July 1937 in Pudupatti, Tamil Nadu, Bala Balachandran’s journey from a small village to becoming a distinguished professor and founder of the Great Lakes Institute of Management is a testament to his unwavering commitment to education and service.
Early Life and Education of Bala Balachandran
Bala Balachandran’s early life unfolded in the embrace of a humble family in Pudukottai. His formative years at Kulapathi Balaiya School and the Christian Mission School laid the foundation for a stellar academic career. The call of duty led him to the NCC, where he rose to the rank of Senior Under Officer. However, academia beckoned, and he joined the Department of Statistics at Annamalai University.
Early Career
The 1962 India-China war altered Bala Balachandran’s trajectory, leading him to a commission in the Indian Army. Yet, his passion for education prevailed, and he continued to teach while serving in the Army. A turning point came in 1966 when he attended a workshop on Quality Control and Reliability Engineering, earning a scholarship for MS/PhD studies at the University of Dayton, Ohio.
Academic Career
Bala Balachandran’s academic journey soared as he pursued an MSE in Engineering, followed by an appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Dayton.
His quest for knowledge took him to Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned an MBA and PhD in Operations Research. Joining the Kellogg School of Management in 1973 marked the beginning of a distinguished tenure, culminating in the J. L. Kellogg Distinguished Professorship in 1984.
Founding Great Lakes Institute of Management
A visionary, Bala Balachandran founded the Great Lakes Institute of Management in Chennai, India, leaving an indelible mark on business education. His commitment to nurturing future leaders extended beyond borders, with a lasting impact on institutions like IIM Bangalore and MDI at Gurgaon.
Personal Life
Balachandran’s personal life mirrored his professional success. Married to Vasantha Balachandran, he raised two accomplished sons—Sudhakar Balachandran, Director of MBA Graduate Studies at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Diwakar Balachandran, a distinguished professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Research Contributions
His scholarly contributions, as evidenced by publications in esteemed journals, underscored his intellectual prowess. From investigations into short interest in the Nasdaq market to pioneering work on product life cycle relevance, Balachandran’s research left an enduring impact.
Awards and Recognition
Balachandran’s accolades, including the Padma Shri Award in 2001, reflected his exceptional contributions. The Kellogg Alumni Professor of the Year Award and Sidney J. Levy Teaching Award underscored the esteem in which he was held by peers and students alike.
Legacy and Memorial
On 27th September 2021, Bala V. Balachandran left this world after a brief illness at the age of 84. His legacy lives on through the Great Lakes Institute of Management, which inaugurated a memorial in his honor. The event witnessed luminaries like Lakshmi Narayanan, Former Vice Chairman and CEO of Cognizant, lauding Balachandran’s impact on education and industry.
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