ALUMNI ACCOLADES
10 Mar 2025
Celebrating Excellence: Padma Shri Awards 2025 Honourees Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis
IIT Bombay is immensely proud to announce that two of its alumni, Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis, have been conferred the prestigious Padma Shri Award for 2025. This esteemed recognition, one of India’s highest civilian honours, celebrates their exceptional contributions to their respective fields and society.
Dr. Nitin Nohria
Image Courtesy: LinkedIn
Dr. Nitin Nohria is a visionary leader in both academia and business, currently serving as Partner and Executive Chairman at Thrive Capital. His career has been defined by his transformative role as the tenth Dean of Harvard Business School, a position he held from 2010 to 2020. During his tenure, he led several key initiatives aimed at reshaping business education and fostering leadership.
In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Nohria is a prolific author, co-authoring 16 books and over 100 articles and cases. His research and insights have been widely recognized, with his work frequently cited in top global publications, including The Economist and The Wall Street Journal.
Dr. Nohria’s expertise and leadership extend to numerous prestigious boards. He serves on the boards of Bridgespan, Rakuten Medical, Piramal Enterprises, Tata Sons, and Akshaya Patra, among others, contributing his strategic insights to these organizations.
His thought leadership has also garnered significant media attention, with Dr. Nohria being interviewed by prominent platforms such as ABC, CNN, and NPR.
Dr. Nohria’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Management from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, complementing his B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was honoured as a Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay in 2007.
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Dr. Chetan Chitnis
Image Courtesy: BioVoice
Dr. Chetan Chitnis is a globally renowned scientist and a prominent leader in the fight against malaria. He currently serves as the head of the Malaria Parasite Biology & Vaccines Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris, where his groundbreaking research focuses on understanding the biology of the malaria parasite and developing vaccines to combat the disease.
Before taking on his role at Institut Pasteur, Dr. Chitnis served as the Principal Investigator at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) in New Delhi. During his nearly two-decade tenure there, he spearheaded crucial research on malaria that has had a lasting impact on the field of global health.
Dr. Chitnis was honoured with the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award in 2004 and the Infosys Prize in Life Sciences in 2010. He was elected as a fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences in 2009 and the Indian National Science Academy in 2014.
Dr. Chitnis has also had the privilege of serving as a Visiting Fellow at the National Institutes of Health in the United States, furthering his expertise and contributions to scientific advancements.
His innovative research continues to shape the future of infectious disease studies, earning Dr. Chitnis global recognition for the significant impact his work has made on public health, particularly in malaria control and prevention.
Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande
Image Courtesy: Wikipedia
In a testament to the extraordinary talent and impact that extends beyond our alumni, we are also thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, the wife of IIT Bombay alumnus, Mr. Raja Deshpande (…….).
Ms. Deshpande, a renowned Hindustani classical music vocalist from Mumbai, has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri for her exceptional contributions to the arts. Belonging to the esteemed Jaipur-Atrauli gharana tradition, her dedication to preserving and advancing classical music has earned her national acclaim. This recognition reinforces the incredible calibre of not just our alumni, but also their families, who continue to inspire with their own remarkable journeys.
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As IIT Bombay continues to shape the future of innovation and excellence, we take immense pride in the extraordinary achievements of our alumni and their families. The Padma Shri Awards for 2025 serve as a testament to the lasting impact of an IIT Bombay education, fostering leaders who contribute to society in meaningful and diverse ways. Dr. Nitin Nohria and Dr. Chetan Chitnis have exemplified the values of leadership, academic brilliance, and scientific innovation that IIT Bombay instils in its students. We are equally proud of the accomplishments of Ms. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, whose recognition highlights the diverse talents that the IIT Bombay community nurtures.
These accolades inspire future generations of students, reaffirming IIT Bombay’s commitment to excellence and its role in empowering individuals who go on to make significant contributions to the world.