FOUNDATION DAY 2024
Leadership and Legacy: Highlights from IIT Bombay’s Foundation Day 2024
IIT Bombay celebrated its annual Foundation Day on March 7, 2024, on campus. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. His presence added distinction to the celebration, emphasizing the importance of scientific leadership in shaping the future.
Encouraging attendees to transition from a service-oriented economy to a product-focused one, Prof. Sood emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts. He said, “To attain these objectives, academia, industry, startups, MSMEs, and both central and state governments must join forces in the years ahead.”
Scientific Excellence Awards: Honouring Contributions to Science
A pivotal aspect of the Foundation Day was the Awards Ceremony, where outstanding contributions to science were acknowledged. The prestigious awards included:
The Prof. S.C. Sahasrabudhe Lifetime Achievement Award 2024, presented to Prof. P.M. Mujumdar, Department of Aerospace Engineering, in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a teacher, researcher and administrator.
Prof. Ruchi Anand from the Department of Chemistry was honoured with the Prof. S.C. Bhattacharya Award for Excellence in Pure Sciences 2023, for her outstanding contributions in the areas of Structural Biology, Biochemistry and Biophysics.
The Prof. H.H. Mathur Award for Excellence in Applied Sciences 2023 was bestowed upon Prof. Rohit Srivastava from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering for his outstanding contributions in the areas of Affordable Point-of-care Diagnostics, Medical devices, Cancer Nanomedicine, and Orthopaedic Nanomaterials.
The Foundation Day ceremony, along with the awards presentation, was broadcast live on IIT Bombay’s YouTube channel here.
Alumni Achievements: Distinguished Alumnus Awards (DAA) and Young Alumni Achiever Awards (YAA)
IIT Bombay also honoured several of its alumni community by presenting the Distinguished Alumnus Awards (DAA) 2024 and Young Alumni Achiever Awards (YAAA) 2024. The Institute celebrated the enduring impact of IIT Bombay alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
This year’s DAA winners include:
– Prof. Anil Virkar
– Mr. Narendra Goliya
– Mr. Salil Donde
– Dr. Pratap Nair
– Mr. Nallicheri Vydianathan Tyagarajan
– Dr. Shridhar Bhalchandra Shukla
– Mr. Sanjay Jain
– Mr. Rajesh Jain
– Mr. Karthik Ganapathy
– Dr. Mukesh V. Khare
– Prof. Ashwin Arunkumar Seshia
– Mr. Kashyap Deorah
– Mr. Nakul Aggarwal
– Mr. Ritesh Arora
The YAAA was awarded to the following:
– Dr. Alekh Agarwal
– Dr. Abhinav Kandala
– Prof. Karthik Shekhar
– Mr. Somay Vinayak Munde
The DAA and YAAA encapsulate the essence of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment from IIT Bombay’s alumni community that characterizes the very core of the Institute. Their narratives not only instil a deep sense of pride within IIT Bombay but also kindle a shared optimism for the boundless opportunities that await. By honouring these exceptional individuals, the Institute is successfully nurturing a legacy that thrives within the dynamic fabric of IIT Bombay.
Camaraderie and Conversations: Luncheon and Hi-Tea
Following the awards ceremony, a luncheon at Gulmohar Banquet Hall brought together current awardees, their families, and Institute dignitaries. This provided an informal setting for camaraderie and collective celebration. This was followed by an exclusive Hi-Tea hosted by Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay specifically for the awardees. This intimate gathering facilitated meaningful conversations and connections among the recipients of the prestigious awards.
Bridging Generations: Networking Dinner
The grand day concluded with a Networking Dinner at Padma Dining Hall, IITB Campus, beginning at 7:00 pm. This event brought together current awardees, their family members, past awardees, major donors, and other distinguished guests. The dinner served as a platform to foster connections, share experiences, and build a network that spans across generations. The Networking Dinner was a poignant finale to a day filled with inspiration, celebration, and the spirit of camaraderie, as IIT Bombay came together to honour excellence.
In the radiant glow of shared accomplishments and collective inspiration, the Foundation Day at IIT Bombay on March 7, 2024, transcended mere celebration, emerging as a testament to the Institute’s unwavering commitment to excellence and community spirit. The entire day served as vibrant canvases for forging connections, fostering camaraderie, and building bridges across generations.
As we reflect on this memorable day, we carry forward the spirit of collaboration and shared success that defines the vibrant tapestry of IIT Bombay.