The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur celebrated its 72nd foundation day on August 18 with a series of events.
An award ceremony was held which was adorned by eminent personalities. Amit Khare, adviser to Prime Minister and former secretary, higher education, ministry of education, graced the occasion as the chief guest. BN Gangadhar, president, NMC, MA&RB (former director of NIMHANS) and Ranjit Rath, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur & chairman-cum-managing director, Oil India Limited, were also present on the occasion as the guests of honour.
It hosted a cultural programme at the Netaji Auditorium of the institute. A debate competition on the topic, “Globalisation has done more harm than good” was also conducted for students and faculty members in the auditorium.
The Chair Professor Awards, Faculty Excellence Awards, Young Alumni Achievers Awards, Staff Excellence Awards and Nina Saxena Excellence in Technology Award were conferred. Staff members were felicitated on completion of 25 years of uninterrupted service to the institute.
The Young Alumni Achiever Award 2022 was conferred on 26 IIT-Kharagpur alumni for their outstanding contribution in the areas of innovations and technological developments, research, service to the community, leadership and entrepreneurial skills, social impact, building companies, nation building and social welfare, service to the nation and professional accomplishments.
Amit Khare, in his address, on the occasion, said: “The idea of Gurukul that we had 1,000 years ago is the same Gurukul with a modern outlook and new technological pursuits that exists in IIT Kharagpur where all the faculty, staff, alumni and students are working as a team to innovate and create trying to bring something new everyday.”
He also mentioned that the journey of the institute is also interwoven with the journey of the country post-Independence starting from the freedom struggle.
He said: “The institute withstands at the Hijli detention camp, faced many challenges as well as many achievements from Faculties & Alumni hailing from various backgrounds, receiving highest civilian accolades like Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards. They are also IAS officials, young technocrats, district magistrates, collectors, superintendent of police, forest officials to CEOs of top companies in the world.”
The 86-year-old Saripalle Satyamurthy, an alumnus from the second batch of IIT-Kharagpur after its formation in 1951, was also a part of the celebration. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2020.
Virendra K. Tewari, director, IIT-Kharagpur said: “IIT-Kharagpur supported the nation to excel the standards of globalization with domestic innovations, finest scientific research and affordable technologies that contribute for a self-reliant India. The initiatives of IIT-Kharagpur towards Indian Knowledge System & NEP 2020 shaped the higher education system and set its course for a new age of becoming the Vishwaguru and boost Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
“Seven niche areas have been identified by the institute that will drive its growth trajectory to become the top 10 universities in the world.”