Publishing house that is at the centre of controversy over Guv’s book launch

Publishing house that is at the centre of controversy over Guv’s book launch
on Jul 06, 2021

Jaipur: The hardly-known International Institute of Management & Entrepreneurship (IIME), which operates out of a small office on the premises of the Birla Temple here, is at the epicentre of a controversy related to the launch of Governor Kalraj Mishra’s biography. The IIME, which had been accorded the status of ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation by the ministry of science and technology, is run by city-based Dr DK Taknet and his wife Sujata. The organisation, which published the biography of governor Mishra, has landed into a controversy following the forced sale of books to 27 vice-chancellors of state varsities on July 1. The couple has authored over a dozen high-value books that may not be available in the open market but can be seen in the book shelves of Union ministers, chief ministers, governors, foreign dignitaries and business houses. The research institute has branches in Pune and Delhi while a major centre is coming up on Jhalana Doongri in Jaipur. “Former CM Vasundhara Raje used to present our book ‘Jaipur-The Gem of India’ produced with the support of Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) to foreign dignitaries and others. Gehlot has not ordered for any book so far. The ministries do order this book. Our book ‘The Oil: Lightening Up Lives,’ which was launched by former petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi, was supported by his ministry,” said Sujata Tanket, a researcher at IIME. Established in 1990, Taknet, who is MPhil in business administration from Rajasthan University, is known for his books on history and the Marwaris and has a huge experience in documenting business families. Tanket connections in the political space are also well established. Every major leader from former prime ministers PV Narasimha Roa, Atal Bihari Vajpayee to Manmohan Singh have testimonials appreciating their literary work. The research institute has never fallen short of resources for writing books. The resource base includes University Grants Commission, Indian Council of Social Sciences, Union ministries and corporate social responsibility funds from various business houses. Responding to a question to share their scientific and industrial research work, Tanket said primarily their research work dealt in the area of social sciences. The IIME website says it is an autonomous body and non-profit organisation. SOURCE - TIMES OF INDIA