IHM Chennai, India’s premier hotel management institute celebrates 60 years -A Grand Diamond Jubilee

The Institute of Hotel Management, Chennai, began in 1963 and has grown over the last few decades to be recognized as one of the top institutes for hospitality education both in India and the World. The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Chennai, India’s premier hotel management institute, celebrated its 60th anniversary followed by a Grand Diamond Jubilee celebration marking the year in the presence of top culinary leaders and chefs from across India and the world.
The daytime event at the IHM Chennai campus was exhilarating to have Dr.K. Manivasan IAS, Principal Secretary to the Govt.of Tamil Nadu - Tourism, Culture & Religious Endowments Department, as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour, Shri D.Venkatesan, Regional Director of India Tourism for the South,West and Central Regions. An additional Girls Hostel was built and inaugurated with a grant from the Ministry of Tourism and the Government of India. The IHMCAA and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Tourism, the Government of India and the National Council for Hotel Management have also released the official souvenir magazine and felicitated numerous individuals during the event.
Cosmos, a brand owned by EssEmm Corporation, now reckoned with quality in the hospitality and food processing industry, donated hi-tech commercial kitchen equipments worth Rs.10 lakhs to the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Chennai for the benefit of the Institute and students.
Speaking at the event, Dr.K. Manivasan IAS, Principal Secretary to the Govt.of Tamil Nadu, said “This Institute, which has produced some of the finest chefs and hospitality industry professionals that India has seen, began with one building in Taramani with barely 60 students and has now grown to accommodate nearly 1000 students from across the country on its campus. This Institute is not only recognized across the country but across the world in the fields of academics, administration and more.”
In the early days, IHM Chennai was often referred to as the Madras Catering College, which led to the students being given the moniker ‘MadCats’. Many of these MadCats came together recently to create the IHM Chennai Alumni Association formally, to be able to join the Institute in celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of their alma mater.
Mr. Malepati Chakravarthy, a 1977 alumnus, now President of the IHMCAA said, “IHM Chennai alumni are in senior positions within the hospitality industry around the world as CEOs, COOs, Vice Presidents, Executive Chefs and General Managers. They fly the flag of our institute high and we are extremely pleased to be able to conduct these celebrations, for the next generation to be inspired by the legacy of our college.”
Mr. S. Bipin Kumar, who graduated in 1988, took charge as Secretary of the Alumni Association in 2022. He added, “Some of our MadCats have even gone on to become internationally renowned, with Michelin stars and other leading global hotelier awards to their name.”
Mrs. Parimala. R, the Principal in-charge of IHM Chennai, is also an Alumnus, who graduated in 1993 and began working at the Institute within a few years. Parimala said, “Today as I look back upon my 30-year association with this campus, I feel a sense of both pride and nostalgia. I am glad that together with the Alumni Association, we have been able to put together a grand celebration that is worthy of the milestone.”
The evening program had a grand gala dinner for over 400 alumni hosted by the Alumni Association.