MJ Xavier

The director of IIM-Ranchi has stepped down from his post, two years before his five-year stint at the prestigious cradle was to end, citing family obligations.

M.J. Xavier, who joined IIM-R as its first director in 2010, apparently put in his papers with the Union HRD ministry and chairman of the institute’s Board of Governors a month ago. But, IIM sources said that since he was on leave for sometime, the news of his resignation became public after a mail on Monday evening.

Xavier is expected to be at the helm of affairs only till this weekend. The grapevine has it that IIM-Calcutta professor B.B. Chakraborty will hold dual charge till the HRD ministry finds a replacement for the outgoing IIM-R head.

While the man himself remained incommunicado, a message from him to mediapersons on Tuesday morning attributed the sudden development to “family obligations”.

“Finally, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Ranchi and to all my dear media people. This is a personal decision. It was not easy to make. After all, we work to support our families. If I cannot be with my family, it does not make sense to work for money... I am extremely grateful to the city of Ranchi and its people for accepting me as their son. Not a single moment did I feel that I am an outsider. I will always cherish the love and affection received from each one of you,” Xavier wrote.

He added that he had received “tremendous support” from the Jharkhand government. “I have also lived up to expectations (fighting for land for a permanent campus). Very soon a new director will take charge and take this institution to greater heights.”

An IIM source said that the director left Ranchi on Saturday afternoon. “He mailed his colleagues and students last evening about his big move,” the source reiterated.

Regarded as an excellent communicator, Xavier was also down to earth. The management cradle, which still operates from a temporary facility at Suchana Bhavan, will sorely miss a leader like him.

Said Ashish Mishra, a student of the 2011-13 batch who now works with YES Bank in Mumbai, “He was a dynamic leader who ensured that a two-year-old cradle received recognition. Despite this being a bad fiscal, he ensured cent per cent placement for us.”