Dr. Kamini Adhikari (née Sahni) was a distinguished academic and scholar whose life bridged a remarkable scientific heritage with her own pioneering contributions in the fields of psychology, sociology, and management education.
Early Life and Family Legacy
Born into one of India’s most illustrious scientific families, Kamini was the daughter of Professor M. R. (Mulk Raj) Sahni, the eminent paleontologist and Himalayan geologist, and Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy. Her grandfather, Ruchi Ram Sahni, was a respected scientist and educationist, while her uncle, Birbal Sahni, is celebrated worldwide as a pioneer of paleobotany. This legacy of intellectual brilliance deeply influenced her path.
From an early age, she contributed to her father’s work, most notably by providing fossil sketches for his book Man in Evolution (1952), a contribution he acknowledged with pride.
Education and Academic Formation
Kamini pursued higher studies abroad, earning a Ph.D. in Psychology from the Institute of Social Sciences in The Hague, Netherlands. She also conducted research in the Sociology of Art in Paris, where she met her future husband, Professor B. P. Adhikari. This international exposure enriched her intellectual outlook and prepared her for a career that combined psychology, sociology, and management studies.
Career at IIM Calcutta
Upon returning to India, Dr. Adhikari became one of the earliest faculty members at the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC). She served the institution with distinction from November 5, 1962, until her retirement on November 30, 1992, making her one of its longest-serving faculty members.
Within the Behavioural Sciences group, she played a foundational role in introducing students to sociological analysis and the study of organizational behavior. Her teaching style, though not flamboyant, was marked by warmth, integrity, and a deep human connection qualities that endeared her to generations of students.
Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Adhikari’s research focused on the sociology of knowledge, class formation, and industrial development. She co-edited a special issue of the international journal Current Sociology titled New Directions in the Study of Knowledge, Economy and Society, and served as a reviewer for the publication.
Her most influential work was the textbook Organization and Administration: A Book of Readings (1969), co-authored with Ishwar Dayal, which became a cornerstone in management education.
Personal Qualities and Legacy
Colleagues and students remember Dr. Adhikari for her ethical standards, amiable nature, and profound humanity. While her lectures were described as not “exactly scintillating” in the conventional sense, her true gift lay in her ability to inspire trust, respect, and affection. Many students regarded her as their favorite professor, and her colleagues valued her as a foundation builder at IIM Calcutta.
Her legacy is not only in her publications and teaching but in the generations of students she influenced, shaping the intellectual and ethical fabric of Indian management education.
Passing
Dr. Kamini Adhikari passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, 4 June 2026. She leaves behind a legacy of scholarship, integrity, and human connection that will continue to inspire future generations.
Period of holding the position: 05-11-1962 - 30-11-1992
Academic Group: Behavioural Sciences
List Of Publications
(Source: Citizens and Revolutionaries: An Oral History of IIM Calcutta. Rupa Publications, 2012, p.29)
