The entire ISB community warmed up to the news about the ISB’s Financial Times ranking within no time at all. Next came the celebrations, naturally. The scale and spirit of Monday’s celebrations at the School Atrium broke all records. The entire ISB community - students, faculty, spouses, and staff - gathered at the Atrium to endorse a memorable moment in the history of the ISB - the School's ranking among the top 20 global B-schools.

Students from the present Class of 2008 in their School T-shirts, were all geared up with purple and blue pompoms, and cheered to the tune of ‘ISB Rocks.’ ‘Congratulations’ were the greeting of the day, cameras clicked memorable group photographs, and the Atrium was strewn with blue and white balloons floating gaily.

Making a formal announcement of the prestigious ranking for the ISB, Dean Rao said, "It is indeed a great feat for us. At this point we also need to re-examine our strengths and our weaknesses, building on our strengths and improving in our areas of weaknesses. Our position in the FT ranking will certainly spur other Indian B-schools to participate in a similar way. This means tough competition for us, but in the long run it will be for the betterment of the society."

Ajit Rangnekar, Deputy Dean, ISB, added “Our vision six years ago, was to be top ranked globally. It was met with much scepticism and doubt then. Today, we are perhaps the youngest school ever to have made it in the top 20. We have scripted our own version of a T20 victory, so let’s celebrate.” Rangnekar added that the celebrations will of course be conducted with dignity, humility, and sensitivity. He thanked the AP government, whose vision and persistence has placed ISB where it is today, in spite of change of governments. He also mentioned the contribution by the city of Hyderabad, the Indian media, the Board members, the students, the faculty, both resident and visiting, the associate schools, the staff, and the spouses - each being a vital cornerstone in the ISB’s journey towards its present position.

Sanjay Kallapur, Associate Dean, Faculty Development said, “It is a great honour for the ISB to be ranked among the top business schools of the world. The FT ranking is the first independent endorsement of our success in meeting our vision to be an internationally top-ranked, research-driven, independent management institution that grooms future leaders for India and the world.”

Professor K Ramachandran, Associate Dean, Academic Programmes, and also one of the first faculty member to have joined the ISB said, “ It’s a great feeling for me today. I am sure that now we are going to shape the destiny of the world. Let us now build towards further strengthening this position.”

Savita Mahajan Associate, Dean, Strategic Initiatives, added to the proud moment, "This recognition is a validation of the value of thinking ‘BIG’, of setting challenging goals, of making the impossible, possible. It will spur us to set even higher standards; to have a greater impact; and to make our country proud."

Resident Professor Ramabhadran Thirumalai, added the faculty perspective to the feat. “It is a proud day for everyone involved with the ISB, both past and present, to be ranked among the top business schools in the world. It is commendable that this ranking was achieved in just six years since inception,” he said. "For me, the achievement is about self-belief and commitment to doing the right things," added Professor S Ramnarayan. Professor Ramana Sonti said, “ It is indeed remarkable that we have achieved such international recognition in such a short span of time. Congratulations are in order to everyone involved in the ISB success story, including students, alumni, faculty, and staff. This is only the beginning for our young institution, and sustaining our reputation in the long term will take redoubled efforts by all stakeholders. A day of achievement such as this is a good time to renew our commitment to continued growth and excellence.”

Arjun Srinivasan, from the Class of 2003, and Founding Chairman ISB Alum Association, could not give the celebration a miss for anything. He said, “We alums have been striving to make our brand presence felt globally. I must say that the recognition came much faster than expected. ISB is now truly international, and the FT ranking will scale up the credibility like never before. ISB has come to stay!”

Students from the Class of 2008 shared their feelers about this historic day at the ISB. Manik Gupta, President Graduate Student’s Board for the Class of 2008, echoed the air of excitement among the student community. “This is fantastic news and a strong affirmation of what we have always known about the ISB. Recruiters are already aware of the value of ISB students, and this is also a tribute to the many successes of our illustrious alumni.” Student Sireesha Yadlapalli, President Healthcare Club, said “This ranking confirms that what we had thought of the ISB, when we joined, was absolutely correct. And as we walk out as alums into the global map, this rank will reaffirm our capabilities in the minds of others.”

Student Neha Iyengar Rangaraj, President, Women’s Students Association, added “It is a moment of great pride for us. As an insider, we know the amount of effort the School puts in to ensure the quality of students intake and the quality of learning. The FT ranking is an endorsement of the fact that we are truly a global business school. With placement around, this recognition will help recruiters reaffirm that they have made the best choice. Savio Baretto Wesley said, "The global ranking is really just a confirmation of what we’ve all known about ISB all along – that this is a world class institution, with world class faculty, providing a world class education to a peer group that is constantly redefining the upper bounds of world class. And now the rest of the world has seen it reaffirmed too! When you think about it, we’re all touching the future like very few others have had the privilege to." Nidhi Reddy, Director, Student Life Council, was busy arranging the schedule of parties and celebrations which promise to run through the week. “Students are euphoric, and rightly so. This year has been unique for the ISB – the events we organised, the Solstice, everything was done differently, and now this!” she said.

The Staff at the ISB, an integral part in the ISB tapestry, were no less excited. Arundhati Ghanwar, Assistant Director, Learning Resources Centre who has been with the ISB right from the start said, “I am proud to have been an integral part of the ISB since its inception and more so today, as the School creates history, not only in India, but in the entire world, by achieving this important milestone." Shiv Kumar IV, Assistant Director, Co- Curricular Activities at the ISB is also one such staff member who has seen the ISB in its growth from an idea to its glory. “This is truly a proud moment for the ISB, and having been associated with the School since its inception, I feel all the more proud. I’m sure this recognition is just the beginning of more achievements in the days to come,” he said.

The jubilations are going to spill over the entire week, and for some time the ISB can be seen on high note mode.