At the heart of India’s premier engineering Institute, IIT Bombay, lies a tradition of connecting the past and future through its flagship alumni fest, Alumination.

Hosted by the Student Alumni Relations Cell (SARC), IIT Bombay’s Alumination 2024 unfolded as a vibrant tapestry of nostalgia, inspiration, and discovery. Anchored by the theme Noren of Nostalgia, the event paid homage to the Institute’s cherished traditions while paving the way for future possibilities. Held on October 27th, 2024, the event created a unique confluence of alumni, students, and faculty, fostering an environment of mentorship, learning, and celebration. From shadow programs that offered industry insights to dynamic panel discussions, Alumination 2024 proved to be a day of transformative experiences and heartfelt connections.

Pre-Fest Shadow Programs

Before the main event, Alumination 2024 featured exclusive Shadow Programs where students visited WorldQuant and Fynd Research in Mumbai. These visits offered a first-hand look into the industry’s dynamics and inspired students to broaden their understanding of potential career paths. SARCathon 2024 at Alumination 2024 brought 15+ IITs together for PAN IIT competitions like Bizarro, Consult Quest, and the AI Hackathon presented by Gandhi Foundation and Saras AI Institute, a pioneer in AI education, redefined how AI is taught globally.

Main Day Festivities

On the day of Alumination 2024, the activities kicked off early at 10 AM, with Break the Ice which facilitated informal discussions between students and alumni mentors as part of the Alumni Student Mentorship Program (ASMP). Here, students got a glimpse into the realities of life after college, career decisions, and the journey beyond the gates of IIT Bombay.

Workshops and Group Mentoring

Simultaneously, workshops on non-core career paths such as Quant, Finance, Product Management, and Consulting were held. These sessions, led by distinguished alumni, provided insights into transitioning from core engineering fields to other exciting avenues. Group mentoring sessions allowed for personalized, one-on-one interactions between students and alumni, enriching the experience with focused advice.

To prepare students for the upcoming placement season, mock interviews and group discussions ran throughout the day. Alumni provided crucial feedback to the final-year students, helping them refine their skills and increase their confidence.

Hostalgia and Innovation Expo

True to its name, Hostalgia welcomed alumni back to their old hostels, allowing them to relive cherished memories and reconnect with their alma mater. The alumni were also taken on a guided tour of the Institute where they revisited their favourite spots on campus and shared stories of the IIT Bombay of their times. Parallelly, the Innovation Expo showcased tech team projects and alumni startups, featuring ventures by venture capitalists (VCs) and budding entrepreneurs. This interactive expo provided a knowledge-sharing platform and highlighted IIT Bombay’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Trailblazers: Learning from the Experts

The afternoon’s Trailblazers session featured two distinguished speakers:

–  Mr. Anshul Gupta, Co-founder of EatClub
–  Mr. Raj Shah, Co-founder of Percipient.ai and a founding member of Google Maps

They engaged students with stories of their entrepreneurial journeys and shared practical insights on innovation and strategic growth.

Unengineering: Embracing Unconventional Paths

In the Unengineering session, students heard from alumni who ventured into unexpected career paths. The panel included:

–  Mr. Aprajit Lohan, Superintendent of Mumbai Police
–  Mr. Nandkumar Saravade, former DIG in CBI

Their stories of transitioning from engineers to prominent figures in the defence sector were both inspiring and eye-opening, reinforcing that success can be found in diverse fields.

Start it Up: Nurturing Startup Culture.

Highlighting IIT Bombay’s reputation for fostering startups, Start it Up featured speakers including:

–  Mr. Aniket Deb, Co-founder of Bizongo and a Forbes 30 under 30 Asia honouree
–  Mr. Aman Goel, CEO of GreyLabs AI and a TEDx speaker

Their candid discussions on building successful startups, scaling ideas, and navigating challenges resonated deeply with the audience.

Beyond the Horizons: A Grand Finale

The final event, Beyond the Horizons, celebrated alumni who pursued their passions in unconventional careers. The session began with vibrant cultural performances by students gearing up for the Inter-IIT Cultural Meet, setting a lively tone for the evening. The main highlight was a panel featuring renowned stand-up comedians Piyush Sharma and Vinay Sharma. Their sharp wit and humour kept the audience in splits, and the session drew an impressive crowd of over 1000 students, alumni, and faculty members.

A Resplendent Conclusion

As the curtains fell on Alumination 2024: Noren of Nostalgia, its success resonated in the smiles, stories, and shared moments of the over 3000 participants who came together to celebrate the spirit of IIT Bombay. By reconnecting alumni with their past and guiding students toward a promising future, the event truly embodied its theme, creating a bridge between yesterday’s memories and tomorrow’s aspirations. Alumination 2024 once again reaffirmed the strength of the IIT Bombay community—a bond that continues to inspire, mentor, and shape the future.

Here’s to the memories created this year and to the promise of many more such celebrations ahead!

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