Book excerpt: This book gives an account of how a small institute with all its limitations and constraints became a leading management institute of national stature. It provides the chronology of new measures introduced, policies implemented, and advances made, particularly in the areas of curriculum, pedagogy, and faculty development. The story gains much significance from serious constraints the institute faced with regard to human and financial resources and the steps it took to overcome its limitations. Many progressive and unconventional methods followed by the institute over a period of time created unexpected spin-offs. A better learning environment, improved educational experience and quality of life of students, increased placement opportunities, and widened scope made a strong impact and enabled the institute for wide industry acceptance and interaction with other management scientists and bodies. The book tells the story about the T. A. Pai Management Institute (TAPMI), which, despite all odds, became a leading B-School in the country from a small, lesser-known institute.