IIT Bombay is delighted to announce that its Distinguished Alumnus, Mr. Rizwan Koita (B.Tech., Electrical Engineering, 1992), and Distinguished Alumna, Ms. Rekha Koita (B.Tech., Metallurgical Engineering, 1992), have been recognized with the Forbes India Leadership Award (FILA) for Grassroots Philanthropists by Forbes India. This prestigious accolade acknowledges their contributions through the Koita Foundation, which has been driving impactful digital transformation in healthcare, education, and livelihoods for nearly a decade.

The Koita Foundation’s work in digital health has been instrumental in accelerating the adoption of digital tools to enhance healthcare accessibility, quality, and efficiency. Their deep collaborations span academic institutions such as IIT Bombay, Ashoka University, and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences; healthcare organizations like Tata Memorial Centre/National Cancer Grid (cancer), RSSDI (diabetes), and FOGSI (maternal and child health); and government bodies including NABH and the National Health Authority. In addition, their partnership with ILSS led to the establishment of the Koita Centre for Digital Transformation, which equips NGO leaders with technological expertise.

Expressing gratitude for this recognition, Mr. Koita acknowledged the collective efforts of these institutions and the Koita Foundation team in driving digital initiatives forward. Looking ahead, he emphasized the vast potential of AI, ML, and Large Language Models (LLMs) in revolutionizing social impact. As the digital transformation of the social sector continues, the Koitas remain committed to leveraging technology for meaningful and scalable change.

Rizwan and Rekha Koita’s journey is a testament to the values nurtured at IIT Bombay: innovation, excellence, and a deep sense of social responsibility. As the Institute’s alumni continue to make transformative contributions across industries, IIT Bombay reaffirms its legacy of shaping leaders who excel in their fields and drive meaningful change in the world.