Ahmadabad is the seventh largest metropolitan city in India, with a population of approximately 5.2 million.

Located on the banks of the River Sabarmati,, Ahmedabad is thriving industrial, business and education hub.

Ahmedabad is a hub of higher education, especially management studies. The city has a number of established reputed educational institutions, notably the globally acclaimed Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM–A) established in 1961. Other world-class educational institutions include the National Institute of Design (NID) established in 1961, the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), the Nirma Institute of Management (NIM), the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) established in 1983, and the Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DA–IICT).

Other institutions of note include Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad Textile Industry Research Association (ATIRA), Darpana Academy of Performing Arts (which houses Ahmedabad’s most famous theatre, Natarani) and the Centre for Environmental Education (CEE).

Ahmedabad has a number of tourist attractions. Chief among them is the Sabarmati Ashram, the headquarters of Mahatma Gandhi during India’s Independence struggle. The Calico Museum in Ahmedabad is one of the finest textile museums in the world, with a large collection of rare textiles. The museum itself has a peaceful evocative setting within a traditional Gujarati mansion surrounded by gardens, pools and fountains.

Another site of interest may be the Jama Masjid, a mosque built in 1423 by Ahmed Shah, and described often as the most beautiful mosque in India. The mosque of Sidi Saiyed is famed for its delicate stone tracery depicting the banyan tree, a motif that has come to represent the world-famous Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and indeed, the city itself.

The Dada Hari ni Vav step well is considered a masterpiece in water architecture. The step well at Adalaj is ornately carved and is well known for its beauty.

The 15th century architectural complex of Sarkhej Roza, 8 kms from Ahmedabad containing a mosque, the mausoleums of a Sufi saint and members of the royal family, including Sultan Mahmud Begada, the summer palace of the royal family and other features, is famous for its composite Indo-Saracenic style of architecture.

Weekend trips can also easily be arranged to one of India’s holiest temples, the famous shore temple of Somnath near the seaside town of Veraval, the hill stations of Saputara and Mt Abu, as well as to the historic and richly cultured Rajasthani city of Udaipur, known as the city of lakes. The Little Rann of Kutchh is only 70 kms from MICA.

Other places of interest nearby include the remains of the ancient Harappan civilization at Lothal dating back to the second millennium BCE, some 78 kms from Ahmedabad, the 11th century Modhera temple, 99kms from the city, one of the three largest dinosaur sites in the world at Balasinore 86 kms away, the 11th century Rani-ni-Vav step well 125 kms away in Patan, and the medieval citadel of Champaner, 160 kms from Ahmedabad.

For those interested in wildlife, the state of Gujarat is home to a number of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, among others, the Gir National Park, the last home of the magnificent Asiatic lion, the Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, the Black Buck National Park and in Kutchh, the Marine National Park, the Wild Ass Sanctuary and the Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.