INDEA and XLRI Delhi-NCR Showcase Indian Automotive Heritage at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 – Asia Pacific

INDEA and XLRI Delhi-NCR celebrate India’s automotive design legacy at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

January 21, 2025. By Abha Rustagi

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA), in collaboration with XLRI Delhi-NCR, showcased an early example of Indian automotive design at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

INDEA endorsed ‘Design in India’ by showing one of the first Indian design initiatives in the automotive space from the late 1970s – a testament to the can-do spirit of automotive start-ups in the country. The booth was inaugurated by I.V. Rao, an automotive industry veteran and mentor to INDEA, and Adil Jal Darukhanawala, Founder and Director of #AdilsAutoZone.

Echoing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a global hub for innovation and sustainable development, and as a tribute to India’s automotive heritage, the booth showcased the Sipani Badal, a three-wheeled car from the late 1970s. The Badal, with its innovative-for-its-time fiberglass body and unique, individualistic design, represented a bold step in Indian automotive design when it was first unveiled almost five decades ago.

Visitors at the exhibition also had an opportunity to explore their creativity via the Wacom tablet. Using intuitive software, attendees explored their artistic potential by creating unique designs, which they could print and take home as personalised mementos.

Reflecting on the event, Dr. Fr. K.S. Casimir, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR, said, “INDEA’s participation at the Expo highlighted our commitment to nurturing designers who not only innovate but also address the broader societal and environmental challenges of the future. INDEA, with its focus on design excellence, will prepare the students for the future of work. By nurturing creativity and fostering innovation, we are opening new avenues for education and equipping our graduates with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.”

Avik Chattopadhyay, Chairperson of XLRI Centre of Automobile Design & Management (XADM) and Founder of INDEA, added, “The Expo is more than an opportunity to showcase INDEA—it is about inspiring creativity and innovation. The exhibition showcases the remarkable synergy between tradition and innovation, as exemplified by the Sipani Badal and the cutting-edge designs on display. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the Indian spirit and a testament to the future of Indian automotive design.”

Visitors had the opportunity to learn about INDEA’s unique approach to automotive design education, which blends creative intuition with practical industry knowledge and global perspectives. By engaging with manufacturers, policymakers, and design experts, INDEA reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the ‘Design in India, Design for the World’ vision and its role in bridging the talent gap in the automotive sector.

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