SANJAY MESHRAM

IIT Bombay Alumnus Sanjay Meshram’s Journey from IIT Bombay to Electoral Victory

Image Credit: ADR

IIT Bombay’s Mr. Sanjay Meshram achieved a significant milestone in his legislative journey when he won the Umred seat in Nagpur rural in the recently held Maharashtra state elections. Mr. Meshram attributes his comfortable triumph to his strong problem-solving skills and analytical approach—qualities which he attributes to his alma mater, IIT Bombay.

Reflecting on his success, Mr. Meshram credited the Institute for instilling a mindset that has shaped his career and personal life. “An engineering background gives me the skill set to always analyse problems and seek solutions. I have adapted that in my professional life as well as the public sphere,” he said.

After graduating from IIT Bombay, Mr. Meshram left a promising job at Maruti to start his own business, eventually finding success in manufacturing plastic bags, marketing heavy machinery, and later, industrial lubricants.

Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Mr. Meshram has been actively involved in philanthropy, having served as the governor of Rotary District 3030, where he spearheaded several charitable initiatives. His decision to enter politics was driven by a desire to scale his social service efforts, with a focus on employment generation and community issues.

Mr. Meshram’s journey is a shining example of how IIT Bombay’s transformative education equips its graduates with the tools to excel across diverse domains. From engineering and entrepreneurship to philanthropy and politics, his path spotlights the versatility and societal impact of IIT Bombay alumni. His story is evidence of the problem-solving mindset fostered by the Institute as well as an inspiring reminder of how dedication to public service can create meaningful change. As he embarks on this new chapter, Mr. Meshram exemplifies the Institute’s enduring legacy of nurturing leaders who strive to make a difference in the world.

VOCERA

IITB Alumni Secure Spot in Y Combinator with Vocera’s Cutting-Edge Voice AI Platform

Image Credit: Tarush Agarwal – X

Three IIT Bombay alumni – Mr. Tarush Agarwal (B.Tech., Computer Science, 2021), Mr. Shashij Gupta (B.Tech., Computer Science, 2020), and Mr. Sidhant Kabra (B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, 2021) – have earned a coveted spot in Y Combinator, one of the world’s most prestigious startup accelerators, offering $500K in funding and boasting a highly selective 0.1% acceptance rate.

Their groundbreaking platform – Vocera – automates voice AI agent testing, reducing manual efforts and improving accuracy. By simulating real-world scenarios, their solution aims to transform voice AI evaluation and provide valuable insights for performance enhancement.

Y Combinator has been a launchpad for numerous successful Indian startups, including unicorns like Razorpay, Groww, Meesho, and Zepto, as well as global giants like Airbnb and Dropbox.

To learn more about their innovative platform, click here.

This remarkable achievement highlights the incredible potential of IIT Bombay’s young alumni. Just a few years after graduating, Mr. Tarush Agarwal, Mr. Shashij Gupta, and Mr. Sidhant Kabra have already made their mark by pioneering innovations in voice AI. Their collaboration with Vocera not only highlights their talent but also reflects the vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit fostered at IIT Bombay, setting the stage for even greater industry advancements in the future.

RAJIV V. JOSHI

Dr. Rajiv V. Joshi: Distinguished Alumnus Supporting the WiSE initiative of IIT Bombay

aiCAS Lab, IIT Bombay
Left to Right – Mounika, Arti (WiSE Volunteers), Dr.Rajiv Joshi & Prof. Rajesh Zele

Dr. Rajiv V. Joshi is a prolific inventor and accomplished research scientist at IBM’s Thomas J. Watson Research Center. A Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Bombay, his expertise lies in developing integrated circuits and memory technologies. Dr. Joshi is a recognized leader in his field, holding the distinction of an IEEE Fellow and receiving numerous accolades, including the prestigious Industrial Pioneer Award from the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society in 2013 and the IEEE Daniel E. Noble Award in 2018. His contributions have been innovative and transformative, with over 300 U.S. patents (and a total of over 440 international patents).

Dr. Joshi is a member of the Board of Governors for IEEE Circuits and Systems Society. He played a pivotal role in convincing the IEEE board to support the WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) initiative by Prof. Rajesh Zele at IIT Bombay. The programme brings together 160 10th-grade girls from rural parts of India for a week-long workshop at IIT Bombay, where they engage in hands-on STEM activities and interact with professional women role models. This initiative exposes them to new opportunities and helps cultivate their interest in science and technology.

WiSE has significantly impacted the participating girls, increasing their passion for technology and boosting their confidence in STEM. The programme has gained attention in the media, bringing national and international focus to the need for greater access to STEM education for girls in rural areas. As a result, several developing countries have expressed interest in replicating the WiSE model to empower their young women in STEM.

Academic and Infrastructural Affairs Office, IIT Bombay
Left to Right – Prof. S. Sudarshan (Deputy Director), Dr. Rajiv Joshi, Prof. Ravi Gudi (Dean ACR), Prof. Rajesh Zele (Dept. of Electrical Engineering)

At the 2024 WiSE Thanksgiving event, Dr. Joshi delivered a keynote address celebrating the contributions of women in science and reaffirming his commitment to advancing the WiSE program.

The WiSE community at IIT Bombay remains deeply grateful for his support.

reply_all back reply_all back