Humans of KGP – Page 2 – The KGP Chronicle

“Guru Dakshina” – the Divine Manifestation of Giving Back to the Alma Mater

“Guru Dakshina hoye Guru ka Pratham Samman
Bhav Bhakti hoye Guru ka Pratham Upahaar
Shri Vasudev Krishna hoye Arjun ke Tattvagyaan
Ekalavya hoye Dronacharya ke Aitihasik Guru Samman”

Guru Dakshina is the first respect that a student gives to his teacher
The emotional devotion of the students is his first present
Shri Krishna was the philosophical teacher for Arjun and
Ekalavya was Dronacharya’s respectful master from history

Guru Dakshina is the pure and selfless connection between a teacher and their disciple. By adhering to the qualities and learning of their Guru, the students bring the greatest smile of achievement, love, and gratitude on their teacher’s face as they share with them their Guru Dakshina. The belief of enriching the bond between the teacher and a student is what laid the foundation for Guru Dakshina. From setting the establishment of learning to fostering love for it, teachers diligently do a crucial job of making things simple for their students. Now it’s time for the students to pay back to the institution by tending to the most significant challenge before their teachers by paying them Gurudakshina.

A Guru does not ‘condition’ the minds of his disciples by the walls of his own ideas, but points out to them new and untried realms of contemplation.Our journey in life is incomplete without a Guru. A “Guru” leads us from the visible to the invisible, from the material to the divine, from the knowledge to the enlightenment and from the ephemeral to the eternal. The teachings and blessings of a Guru are the most prized possessions for his/her Shishya who acknowledges the Guru principle in their life. Based upon this principle, IIT Kharagpur launched an aesthetic giveaway in the form of Guru Dakshina, the Divine Manifestation of Giving back to the Alma Mater on 30th January at 5.30 in Netaji auditorium of the institute. The programme was launched by Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur in the august presence of Batch 1979, Prof. Amit Patra, Deputy Director; Prof. Debashish Chakravarty, Associate Dean, Alumni Affairs & International Relations; Captain Amit Jain (Retd.), Registrar and Cdr V K Jaitley, Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur.

“It is such a great opportunity to launch Guru Dakshina in the presence of Batch 1979 who are revisiting the institute after a long gap. The idea of Guru Dakshina is to bring the Alumnus more closer to this institute and engage them to participate in the institutional development activities in an inclusive way,” said Prof. Debashish Chakravarty, Associate Dean, Alumni Affairs & International Relations while addressing the batch of 1979.

Cdr V K Jailtly (Retd.) gave a detailed presentation about the programme and how it will be implemented hence forth. He remarked, “A person who loves his teachers, his alma mater, this initiative is for them to do something for their alma mater which has helped them to be where they are today. This small gesture is a commitment towards making the institute stand on its feet and become self-reliant. Mr. Samarth Singh, Vice President, Technology Students Gymkhana was the first student who signed up the pledge for Guru Dakshina and stated that, “I think this is a very good initiative that will help the student community of this institute who fall short on fund utilization while organizing events and student welfare activities. Our senior have always stood for us in terms of providing financial aids for hostel amenities and other co-curricular activities.

Cdr V K Jaitly (Retd.) launches his book “100 Great IITians”

Guru Dakshina for My Alma Mater will be received from the Alumni of the institute which will help in making IIT Kharagpur Atmanirbhar over a period of time. The funds received through Guru Dakshina shall alleviate the challenge of collecting funds by the students for Spring Festival, Kshitij, Sports, Fest and even for increasing and improving Hall Amenities.

While those students in service, have been urged to contribute a months salary, entrepreneurs with profits in excess of Rs. 1 crore have been asked to donate 1% of the annual profits to the institute. Half the corpus created out of the donations will be set aside to make IIT Kharagpur self reliant. Of the rest, 20% will go into the welfare fund that can be used by the students and hall staffs and 15% each will be given to upgrade laboratories and facilities in the hostels.

Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur who is also an alumnus of the institute stated, “This initiative will strengthen the corpus of the institute and help the institute to become Atmanirbhar. This commitment from the Alumni will be a great help to the institute and the students. As you are aware that the institute has grown ten folds since how it started with only 224 students and 42 teachers in 1951 and now we have 16,000+ students and 700+ faculty. To maintain this ratio, the institute faces many challenges including fund utilization for redevelopment and maintenance of the common facilities. I will always be grateful to the Alumni who have risen up to the occasion and contributed during the Covid period and helped us and the community around the campus enormously. Their generous giveaway and token of appreciations have always been the driving force of this institute, therefore with their support and guidance we launch Guru Dakshina, which is a pledge that you take for your Alma Mater… your pride.”

Guru Dakshina will have two parts:

• By the Students

• By the Alumni

By The Students:

• The Ownership lies with Chairman, CDC for getting the pledge

• It shall be transferred to Dean Alumni Affairs, once the students pass out

• The students will pledge One Month’s Salary that they can pay at their convenience during 1st/2nd/3rd/4th/…. nth year of their profession.

• Some students may like to take this pledge even during their 3rd year or even earlier.

• Students who sign this pledge will be given a certificate of accreditation which they can show in their testimonials while appearing for their first job interview and can display later in their office.

By the Alumni:

• Ownership for this will be with Dean Alumni Affairs

• Alumni foundations in US and India with their chapters across the world will play an active role in giving publicity to this scheme and encouraging alumni to come forward and be part of this noble campaign.

• All the alumni from first batch of 1955 till today can donate their current one month’s salary/pension/income from their
industry/investments as their Guru Dakshina.

• Donation can be through e-transfer or any other means but not by cash and shall be presented a certificate of Accredation that he/she can display in their home/office

One of the batch-mates of Batch 1979 remarked,”Lets see that tangible improvement and process that will define progress is happening and I think that is very important. We need an audited report card that states how it was utilized, what is the satisfaction level, an independent audit not done by somebody. People will eventually give, knowing it is for a good cause, but if it is not like that you will be hesitant saying money down the drain. But thanks to this initiative, it is a good start, a beautiful start and a lot of thought has gone into this great job.”

Utilization of Guru Dakshina by Students

Only 50% of this money will be used by the institute to build up the corpus to make IIT Kharagpur Atmanirbhar, the rest will be utilized for the respective halls of the students, for the Gymkhana for SF, Kshitij etc., for their concerned departments and for the benevolent activities and emergency welfare of the students, alumni, staff, including non-teaching staff and even mess workers etc.

Utilization of Guru Dakshina by Alumni

50% of this money will be used by the institute to build up the corpus to make IIT Kharagpur Atmanirbhar and the rest for the respective halls of the students, for the Gymkhana for SF, Kshitij etc, for their concerned departments, for the benevolent activities and emergency welfare of the students, alumni, staff, including non-teaching staff and even mess workers etc., to the US/India Foundation, to the Chapter he/she belongs to (or to the concerned Foundation if no active chapter is there)

All other Endowments will continue

• All other donations of any amounts, however small they may be from the students and alumni shall continue as parts of Hall
Endowment/Deptt Endowment or Batch Endowments etc.

• For this Guru Dakshina scheme, a minimum of Rs 1 lakh pledge/donation will be required to be eligible to receive the Guru
Dakshina Certificate, preferably from the hands of Director of IIT Kharagpur.

Benefits:

• Funds for Hall renovations and new facilities will be available in abundance.

• Departments will get money to upgrade their labs or sponsor some global events in their departments.

• Funds for sudden medical emergencies etc. for some alumni/students/staff will be available.

• The corpus of the institute will start building up to great levels for IIT Kharagpur to become Atmanirbhar.

• Our mainly 1st and 2nd year students running around all over India to collect funds from our alumni for Spring Festival, Khshitij, Sports Meets etc. will not be required. Instead of that they may contact alumni to be part of Guru Dakshina Project.

Cdr V K Jaitly (Retd.) handing over his cheque of Rs. 1,24,360 and also the cheque of Rs. 2 lakhs by Virendra Kumar Goswami, Distinguished Alumnus of the institute to Guru Dakshina

How to Pay and Where to Pay?

• No Cash

• E-Transfer or By Cheque or Demand Draft

* For Salaried Alumni – Give One Month of My Salary to IIT Kharagpur

* For Entrepreneurs – Donate 1% of the annual profits to IIT Kharagpur as soon as profits cross 1 Crore per year

How Guru Dakshina to My Alma Mater will be used?

15% for the upgradation of labs etc in the respective department
15% for upgradation of facilities in the respective hall
20% for the Welfare Fund that can be used for students and hall staff
50% for corpus of the Institute to make IIT Kharagpur Self-reliant

For more details, please write to alumni@hijli.iitkgp.ac.in

Media Coverage:

Times of India Dainik Jagran

Inputs by: Cdr V K Jaitly (Retd.), Distinguished Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur
Email: cdr.vk.jaitly@gmail.com

By: Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

“All glories come from the daring to just begin” – SHAURYA ’23 at IIT Kharagpur

A Glimpse from the Table Tennis Tournament in Full Swing

One of the biggest sports tournament of the country ‘Shaurya ’23, themed ‘Shadow Warrior,’ recently concluded at IIT Kharagpur, leaving behind a trail of excitement, innovation, and intense competition. The festival which was entirely managed by students; held within the iconic IIT Kharagpur campus, has undoubtedly set a new standard for excellence. This edition of Shaurya went above and beyond, featuring a diverse range of competitions catering to both male and female participants.

The events showcased a wide array of sports, including cricket, volleyball, basketball, hockey, athletics, badminton, football, lawn tennis, table tennis, chess, and powerlifting. Prior to the main festivities, Shaurya also hosted engaging pre-event activities like the Shaurya Cube Open, National Sports Quiz, Knuckle Pushups Challenge, Skipathon, Dutch Grand Prix Live Stream, Asia Cup India Vs Pak Live Stream, and the Shaurya Yoga Quest Challenge.

A Glimpse from the Hockey Tournament

IIT Kharagpur’s exceptional infrastructure and sports facilities, including their state-of-the-art Student Activity Centre with its multiple courts and fields, provided an ideal setting for the diverse competitions. The festival, boasting over 15 titular sports events, transcended beyond the realm of sports, incorporating guest lectures, recreational activities, and non-sporting events such as marathons and F1 simulations. The event aspired to be the pinnacle of sports for both our present and future generations.

In a dazzling display of sportsmanship and talent, the Shaurya Sports Fest 2023 at IIT Kharagpur concluded with thrilling victories and unforgettable moments. The campus was alive with the spirit of competition as participants from various institutes showcased their prowess in a variety of sports. Let’s delve into the highlights of some of the most riveting events that left a lasting impression on spectators.

A Glimpse from the Basketball Tournament

Shaurya Table Tennis Tournament Finals: A Battle to Remember

The finals of the Shaurya Table Tennis Tournament set the stage for a captivating showdown between IIT Kharagpur’s A team and that of St. Xavier’s. The match was a rollercoaster of high-stakes rallies and intense action, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. The game remained neck-and-neck until the last set. But in the end, it was St. Xavier’s that emerged victorious, claiming the title in a dramatic fashion that will be etched in the memories of all who witnessed it.

Shaurya Powerlifting Championship: Vivek Singh Nainwal Dominates

The 2023 Shaurya Powerlifting Championship concluded with a display of unparalleled strength and determination. Participants showcased exceptional performances, but it was Vivek Singh Nainwal from IIT Kharagpur who stole the spotlight. His remarkable feats in the competition earned him the title of the ‘Best Lifter’, leaving a powerful mark on the championship and inspiring all present.

A Glimpse from the Spring Tournament

Lawn Tennis Excellence: Mayank Joshi Crowned ‘Best Player’

In the realm of Lawn Tennis, Mayank Joshi from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur emerged as the shining star. His exceptional skill, consistency, and unwavering determination throughout the tournament culminated in a well-deserved victory, earning him the prestigious title of the ‘Best Player’. Mayank’s performance showcased the true essence of sportsmanship and dedication.

Chess Tournament: A Battle of Minds in the Yoga Room

The Chess Tournament, hosted in the Yoga Room within the Technology Students’ Gymkhana, proved to be a cerebral spectacle. It was a platform that highlighted the competitive spirit and strategic prowess of the participating teams. The event underscored the importance of fostering intellectual pursuits and healthy competition within the academic community.

Shaurya Volleyball Tournament: A Celebration of Sportsmanship and Skill

The 2023 Shaurya Volleyball Tournament was a testament to the spirit of sportsmanship, featuring remarkable performances and unforgettable moments that will be cherished for years to come. The tournament recognised and honoured the ‘Best Players’ in the form of Shadik from Sarala Birla University and Mythri T G from IIT Kharagpur, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to the competition. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and teams for their dedication and commitment.

Shaurya Cricket Tournament: Soumya Basak Shines as the Player of the Tournament

The 2023 Shaurya Cricket Tournament echoed with the sounds of cricketing brilliance and camaraderie, honouring Soumya Basak from St. Xavier’s as the ‘Player of the Tournament’. Soumya’s exceptional performances left an indelible mark on the tournament, showcasing not only individual skill but also a true passion for the game. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and teams for their dedication and spirited play.

A Glimpse of the Marathon Event

Shaurya Football Tournament: Nitin Rohit Emerges as the Player of the Tournament

The 2023 Shaurya Football Tournament unfolded as a saga of skill, teamwork, and pure passion for the beautiful game. The tournament honoured Nitin Rohit from IIT Kharagpur A as the ‘Player of the Tournament’, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the team’s success. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and teams for their dedication and outstanding performances on the football field.

In conclusion, the Shaurya Sports Fest 2023 at IIT Kharagpur was a resounding success, celebrating not just physical prowess but also the intellectual and strategic acumen of its participants. As the campus echoed with the cheers and memories of this spectacular event, it’s clear that Shaurya has once again proven to be a stage for champions to shine – a sporting extravaganza to remember!

Media Partner : Telegraph

Inputs by : Prajay and Ushasri Gunpuru, Students, IIT Kharagpur

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

‘Our classes were held where freedom fighters were locked up,’ says Narasimhan Venkatesan Patel, Alumnus of the First Batch at IIT KGP

Mr. Narasimhan Venkatesan Patel, Former Member of the Railway Board and an Electrical Engineering Alumnus (1951-55) of IIT Kharagpur, shares some interesting anecdotes about the faculty and how IIT Kharagpur took special tutorials of students who appeared in Class 12 exams from different boards or syllabi. The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur was established in 1951 and is the oldest among all the IITs in the country. As the institute was set up in the Hijli detention camp of West Bengal, it has a link with the freedom fighters of India.

“We mostly had classes in the old Hijli Central Jail building during the first two years. A big hangar inside the compound served as the workshop. Our staff, some of whom had served in the prison administration as Jailers, mentioned that our classrooms were the rooms where prisoners who were great freedom fighters were locked up, and some were tortured and later died,” remarked the Alum.

To bolster the country’s growth and make it self-reliant, the government started establishing IITs, IIMs and AIIMS. Like other IITs, the classes of the first batch commenced on a half-constructed campus.

“Since our hostel, Patel Hall, was half ready when the first year started, we had to share rooms. Interestingly, as there were differences in syllabus levels in different universities at intermediate science where students took admission, tutorials of Math and English were organised after dinner in the hostel for the first two terms of the first year,” Patel said.

“The initial struggles and our saviour”

IIT Kharagpur campus was spread over 2100 acres in the vast tree-laden campus. Along with a tough syllabus, the initial batches had to struggle with wildlife. “There were snakes around the hostel under construction and our beloved director Dr. J C Ghosh, also a famed Indian scientist, ordered the cutting of drains around and spraying of carbolic acid. The humane and kind approach of Dr. J C Ghosh made us withstand many hardships. In the third year, we moved to the classes in the new building,” he said.

Dr. J C Ghosh left IIT in the third year to join as the Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University. A student delegation from IIT met Dr. B. C. Roy the then Chief Minister of West Bengal to plead with him the need for continuing Dr. J C Ghosh, revered as a father figure by the students. Dr. B C Roy is stated to have quipped, “We will send another father figure to you.”

Dr. B R Sengupta, Principal of Shibpur Engineering College, was appointed as the next director for IIT Kharagpur. As per Patel, Dr. Sen Gupta was a strict disciplinarian and a stickler for targets.

Despite being the first batch, the students, were fortunate to have the best faculty possible. “Dr. Krause Mechanical Engineering, Prof Malonowsky, Production Technology (UNESCO support) on the mechanical side and Prof. Keshav Murthy, Prof Srinivasan, Dr. Menon gave us deep insights into Electrical Engineering. They took us to much higher heights in the subjects that I could see the difference in when I joined DVC as an assistant engineer in the Maithon Hydel Project after college in 1955 and Indian Railways in early 1957,” Patel informed.

iit news First convocation at IIT-Kharagpur. The first batch is sitting with the then PM Nehru.

The Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) was established in 1951 and is the oldest among all the IITs in the country. As the institute was set up in the Hijli detention camp of West Bengal, it has a link with the freedom fighters of India.

An electrical engineering (1951-55) alumnus, Narasimhan Venkatesan Patel (former member of the Railway Board) shares some interesting anecdotes about the faculty and how IIT-Kharagpur took special tutorials of students who appeared in Class 12 exams from different boards or syllabi.

“We mostly had classes in the old Hijlee Central Jail building in the first two years. A big hangar inside the compound served as the workshop. Our staff, some of whom had served in the prison administration as jailors, mentioned that our classrooms were the rooms where prisoners (many great freedom fighters) were locked up, and some were tortured and later died,” he told.

IIT Kharagpur campus was spread over 2100 acres in the vast tree-laden campus. Along with a tough syllabus, the initial batches had to struggle with wildlife. “There were snakes around the hostel under construction and our beloved director Dr JC Ghosh, also a famed Indian scientist, ordered the cutting of drains around and spraying of carbolic acid. The humane and kind approach of Dr JC Ghosh made us withstand many hardships. In the third year, we moved to the classes in the new building,” he said.

DR JC Ghosh left IIT in the third year to join as the Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University. A student delegation from IIT met Dr BC Roy the then chief minister of West Bengal to plead with him the need for continuing Dr JC Ghosh, revered as a father figure by the students. DR BC Roy is stated to have quipped: “We will send another father figure to you.”

iit kharagpur photos An old photo of IIT-Kharagpur

DR BR Sengupta, principal of Shibpur Engineering College was appointed as the next director for IIT Kharagpur. As per Patel, Dr Sen Gupta was a strict disciplinarian and a stickler for targets.

Despite being the first batch, the students, as per Patel, were fortunate to have the best faculty possible. “Dr Krause Mech Engg, Prof Malonowsky, Production Technology (UNESCO support) on the mechanical side and Prof Keshav Murthy, Prof Srinivasan, Dr Menon gave us deep insights into electrical engineering. They took us to much higher heights in the subjects that I could see the difference in when I joined DVC as an assistant engineer in the Maithon Hydel Project after college in 1955 and Indian Railways in early 1957,” Patel informed.

‘IITs should consider dual degree programmes’

These days, IITs are coming up with courses to skill up their students. In IIT Kharagpur, however, this has been introduced in the initial years. “One noteworthy feature of the course was the attempt to include Humanities in the course and we had the benefit of Business Management courses in two terms by Prof Nanjundiah. If IIT had allowed more courses in business administration, it would have sent the right mix of engineer managers to the industry,” Patel added.

On the issue of regular engineers drifting from core subjects to computer sciences, he said the problem is similar to losing engineering graduates seeking IIM post graduate pursuit “sometimes ending up selling cigarettes and soaps with lucrative emoluments.”

“One way would be to send out core engineers with a Diploma in Computer Sciences as well, IITs may consider shifting to dual degree programmes. AIIMS Delhi has already set up a strong IT department recognising the importance of IT in genetics health care,” he said.

An Indian Express Exclusive Story

https://indianexpress.com/article/education/iit-kharagpurs-first-batch-our-classes-were-held-in-where-freedom-fighters-were-locked-up-jeemain-2024-advanced-8969298/

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us on: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/

National Award for Prof. Suman Chakraborty on Teachers Day 2023

Teaching is much more than just imparting knowledge, it is an inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts, it is acquiring understanding. When we recall our own education, we remember the teachers not methods and techniques. The belief of a teacher on his/her student can make them achieve wonders. Teachers are the root of an education system and can change lives with just the right mix of chalk and challenges. Teaching is the profession that teaches us all the other professions. On this momentous occasion of Teachers Day 2023, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the IIT Kharagpur has been selected for the National Awards to Teachers 2023.

If you can simplify the technology, you don’t need a doctor or a highly qualified technician to work on the technology; even an Asha Health Worker or a similar front line health worker can use it with minimal training,’ said Prof. Suman Chakraborty, a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the IIT Kharagpur, who has been selected for the National Awards to Teachers 2023 by the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, Government of India.

Your research has been on developing devices that would help rural healthcare. Is there any particular incident that caught your attention to this often neglected area?

If you look at the journey of any researcher, you will see there are certain things which happen by chance, rather without much planning. You develop certain insights from experience and that direct you to one particular direction. That is the case with me too. I worked on micro fluidics and its applications on healthcare, but not particularly focusing on rural healthcare. Though at IIT Kharagpur where I work has a township, it is basically located in a rural area. There is a railway station here and if you go beyond the railway station, the scenario is totally different. It is like any other rural area you see in India. It is difficult not to notice the huge contrast and difference between the kind of facilities and access to facilities we have at IIT and a place that is just a kilometre away from IIT. People there do not have either affordability or accessibility to healthcare, or a combination of these two.

It was a disturbing scenario…

Definitely. It still is disturbing. The focus of our work has always been on medical diagnostics, but when I noticed this disturbing disparity, we shifted our focus to the under-served sections of our society. That means, the technologies we use now can be used in the field and not in labs where you have air-conditioning, refrigeration and high-end machines. We have tried to solve the problem in some way, but we are yet to come out with a robust solution that will solve the problem completely. Yes, we could solve it in such a way that it is better than what it was earlier. If you look at the technological developments in healthcare, they are done with the assumption that everybody can afford it. You have these high-end labs and diagnostic centres manned by qualified technicians and doctors in big hospitals which are not accessible to everyone. Even if they are accessible, not many can afford them.

Reports say 80% of doctors in India work in urban areas. Do you think technology alone can solve a lot of healthcare deficiencies in rural areas?

Technology alone cannot solve the problem entirely, but most of it. If you can simplify the technology, you don’t need a doctor or a highly qualified technician to work on the technology; even an Asha health worker or a similar front line health worker can use it with minimal training.

Does that mean you were simplifying the technology so that they can use it in the rural areas?

Yes. That’s where the challenge comes; simplifying the technology without compromising on the performance. When you simplify technology, there is always a danger of compromising on accuracy. So, what we were developing had to be simple yet accurate and also cost-effective. Initially, you cannot go for simplification of technology as as you may miss some scientific components. It is a two-step process for us. First, we develop the technology in the lab so that we will know the nitty-gritties of the technology. Then, we move on to simplifying it.

Can you give us an example? For example, you have developed a device to check the haemoglobin level of individuals in the field and not in the lab…

There is a classical test used in all the labs which can be manual, semi-automated or fully automated. What we did was, we tried to understand the principle and then implement the principle on a piece of paper. We use just one drop of blood from the finger onto to a strip of paper and get the result within a minute. The amount of reagent we use also is very less, thus reducing the cost. What we do is, design the paper in such a way that the same principle we use in labs works on the paper too, that is the same chemistry and same reaction.

Is it an ordinary paper?

It’s a filter paper. When you compare the results of the test done on the paper and also in a lab, you will see that the results are more or less the same.

Is it for the initial diagnosis that these kits are used?

You can treat it as good as any standard lab test. The next step after the test is, take a picture of the colour of the blood to check the level of haemoglobin. For that, we keep the strip in a box, and with the help of a smart phone camera, the picture of the image is taken. Then the analysis of the colour of the blood is done by the app that is formatted in the phone. The image analysis and interpretation is done automatically by the phone and the person taking the test doesn’t have to do anything. Remember we do not expect the person, taking the test, for example as Asha worker to know anything about the technology. When the result comes on the app interface, it will be accessible to any doctor who is sitting in a big city. Like you said, 80% of the doctors are located in the urban areas. After looking into the test result and the patient’s history, the doctor can immediately give the first level of recommendation. For example, if the haemoglobin level is extremely low, and the patient requires an immediate blood transfusion, the caregiver can take him to a place where the patient can be administered blood. If it is only mild anaemia, the doctor may prescribe medicine or dietary changes.

Prof. Suman Chakraborty and researchers at IIT-Kharagpur are developing a technology to source electricity from clothes drying in open space

Was this the first device you developed?

The first one was to test the glucose level in the blood. The glucometer that is generally used by people is quite expensive for a person living in the rural area. We also developed another device to check the creatinine level as kidney is the first organ that gets affected by uncontrolled diabetes. Then, we have a device to check the lipid profile. We have this belief that only people in the urban areas suffer from high cholesterol. No, those in the rural areas also are affected. The diseases which we previously thought to be associated with urbanisation are there in the rural areas also because of the life style changes. Diabetes affects rural India more because they lack facilities to check the sugar level periodically. The idea behind all our inventions are, there is a need for early detection of diseases.

Do you use the same paper strip for all the tests, for example for haemoglobin, creatinine and glucose?

The paper is the same but we use different reagents for different tests.

Can we say almost all the common diseases are tackled at the preliminary stage through your devices?

Yes, you can say that. We have devices for these basic tests. Then we also have devices to diagnose infectious diseases like flu with which we can diagnose TB also which is a major disease in rural India. We use molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases which is one of the most difficult diagnostic technologies. But we have created a portable device which is an alternative to the RT-PCR machine. This machine we developed during the covid time is named COVIRAP. This machine is a 1ft x 1ft x 1ft box and it can perform the test like an RT-PCR machine, and the test results can be known within 40-45 minutes. Though we developed it for covid tests during the covid period, subsequently we use it influenza test. Now, we use it to detect TB. The advantage is, you can use the same device to do different tests by using different strips of paper with different reagents.

You have also developed a device to detect oral cancer…

If you notice, the device we spoke about earlier require body fluids to test. The device we developed to detect oral cancer does not require any body fluid; it is done through imaging. Though there are several reasons for oral cancer, majority of the patients are tobacco or gutka users, and they belong to the group who do not have access to early detection or care. If detected early, any ulceration in the mouth can be prevented from becoming cancer by changing their lifestyle. A large number of people could be saved if it is detected early. What we have developed is a device which looks like a torch with a thermal camera with which we can take the picture of any ulceration inside the mouth.The image we grab from inside the mouth is temperature at different points. The algorithm we have developed will convert the temperature into showing the blood flow in the area. If there is cancer in an area, new blood vessels grow (angiogenesis). There will be a significant change in the blood flow pattern in an area when there is cancer or pre-cancer.

You have used AI (Artificial Intelligence) in all your devices. How important is AI in developing devices like these?

AI is very important particularly in the healthcare space as there is a lot of difference between one person to another. Every human being is different. Health issues are also very personalised and you see variations in every person. In the normal conditions itself, even the physical appearance of say, the inside of the mouth of one person is different from another person. With the help of AI, we can predict the individual variations more accurately.

Do you consider what you are doing as part of your responsibility towards society?

Of course. Social responsibility can be addressed in different ways by different people. This is the way people working science and technology can impart their responsibility to society. What we are doing is not even 10% of what is needed. We have only introduced the technology; it has to be a part of the healthcare system and not present in an isolated manner here and there. And it cannot be done by the efforts of one or two individuals; it has to be a national movement and part of the entire system.

Some Major Awards & Accolades :

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in 2013.
The J C Bose Fellowship in 2018.
The G D Birla Award in 2021.
The Infosys Prize in 2022.
National Award for Teachers 2023.

Media Coverage:

The Bengal Post

Anandabazar Patrika

Interview : Courtesy Rediff.Com

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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T. V. Narendran is the new Chairman of Board of Governors of IIT Kharagpur

T. V. Narendran, CEO & Managing Director of Tata Steel Limited is appointed as the New Chairman of Board of Governors of IIT Kharagpur

IIT Kharagpur welcomes Mr. T. V. Narendran as the new Chairman, Board of Governors of the institute. A Mechanical Engineer from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy and MBA from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta, Mr. Narendran is the CEO & Managing Director of Tata Steel Limited. Mr. Thachat Viswanath Narendran is the Chairman of Tata Steel Europe and Tata Steel Long Products Limited and oversees the organic and inorganic growth of Tata Steel over the last few years.

Over 34 years of experience in the Mining and Metals industry, Mr. Narendran is a member of the Executive Committee and the Board of the World Steel Association. He was the co-chair of the Mining & Metals Governor Council of the World Economic Forum from 2016 to 2018. A Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and served as the President of the Indian Institute of Metals from 2021 to 2022, he was also the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) from 2021 to 2022. Recipient of Distinguished Alumnus Awards from both NIT Trichy and IIM Calcutta, he is a Chevening Scholar and has also attended the Advanced Management Programme in INSEAD, France.

Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “We welcome Mr. T V Narendran as the new Chairperson of the Board of Governors of IIT Kharagpur. As a man beholding technical and industrial supremacy, he understands the need of the society and practical implications of industry-academia amalgamation with a technical institution. We look forward to his able guidance, constructive ideations and supportive encouragement in reshaping this institute for its future aspirations.”

Mr. Narendran joined Tata Steel in 1988 straight after his MBA from IIM Calcutta. He worked in the International Trading Division of Tata Steel from 1988 to 1997 wherein he spent five years in Dubai looking after Tata Steels’ exports to the Middle East. From 1997 to 2001, he spent time in Tata Steels’ marketing and sales division and was involved in market development work for the Cold Rolling Mill Project, Supply Chain Management, Sales Planning, etc. From 2001 to 2003, he was the Chief of Marketing & Sales (Long Products) and played a key role in building the ‘Tata Tiscon” brand and the distribution network for the same.

From 2003 to 2005, he worked with B. Muthuraman, the then Managing Director of Tata Steel, as his Principal Executive Officer. Before being appointed as MD – Tata Steel India and South East Asia, on 1 November 2013, Narendran was the Vice President – Safety & Flat Products Divisions of Tata Steel. He is currently on the Boards of Tata Steel Limited, Tata Steel Europe, CEDEP, XLRI and World Steel Association. He was honoured with the Life Fellow Award 2022 on the occasion of the 68th Convocation of the Institute held on 24th December 2022.

The institute appreciates the excellent services rendered by Dr. R P Singh, Outgoing Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Kharagpur who emphasized on research that accelerates community outreach and develops societal upgradation with strong industry alliance. His insights, directions and viability will be upheld in the highest of regards.

Media Coverage :

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News 18 Bengali

Dainik Jagran

Times of India

Dainik Jagran Times of India

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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“India is a land of IITs, especially IIT Kharagpur which is the mother of all IITs,” said Mahamohopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami in the 73rd Foundation of the institute

The Foundation of a Family, that’s where it all began for IIT Kharagpur in 1951. The history of the IIT system dates back to 1946 when a committee was set up by Hon’ble Sir Jogendra Singh, Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council, Department of Education, Health and Agriculture to consider the setting up of Higher Technical Institutions for post war industrial development in India. The 22 member committee headed by Sri N.R. Sarkar recommended the establishment of four Higher Technical Institutions on the lines of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. With the above recommendations the first Indian Institute of Technology was born in May 1950 in Hijli, Kharagpur, in the eastern part of India. The present name ‘Indian Institute of Technology’ was adopted before the formal inauguration of the Institute on August 18, 1951 by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. IIT Kharagpur started its journey in the old Hijli Detention Camp where some of our great freedom fighters toiled and sacrificed their lives for the independence of our country in the revolutionary struggle against the British Raj.

As the country enters its 77th year of Independence, IIT Kharagpur also enters its 73rd year of foundation on 18th August 2023 which was adorned by eminent personalities. Mahamohopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami, Head, BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Dr. P Arun, Director, Tata Medical Center also graced the occasion as the Guests of Honour. The invocation started by hoisting the national flag and institute flag at the main building. Conferment of Chair Professor Awards, Gitindra Saran Sanyal Faculty Excellence Awards, Young Alumni Achievers Awards, Staff Excellence Awards, and the institute employees who completed 25 years of service were felicitated.

Mahamohopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami, Head, BAPS Swaminarayan Research Institute, the Chief Guest of the 72nd Foundation Day of IIT Kharagpur said, “This day embarks the foundation of IIT Kharagpur along with a Bhavya Bharat – The extraordinary India. If you want to understand the glory of any culture or any country or civilization, observe its education, research, literature and spirituality. India is a land of education system, a natural education system and a systematic and organised education. I can proudly say that India will be the answer to Artificial Intelligence, it will create a balance to endure and sustain it. India is a land of spirituality. The moto of this institution is ‘Yoga Karmashu Koushalam’ from the Bhagwat Gita. When we attach our self to a purpose, its ‘Yog’ and with ‘Yudyog’ we have to travel in forward direction to succeed and then comes ‘Proyudhyog’ which highlights the focused and sincere approach. India is a Land of Education, Land of Research with art Music, Science, technology and philosophy, the land of new innovations, the land of Literature, legacy and scripture, the land of spirituality, land of living idols, because we celebrate diversity equality, and inclusion. Most importantly India is glorious because it is the land of IITs, especially IIT Kharagpur.”

The foundations of IIT Kharagpur rests on the eternal motto of ‘Yoga Karmashu Koushalam’ from the Gita. It means that the individual interests behind any action which is either driven by material success or failure must be transformed to a higher and universal process of Yoga i.e., a communion between the self of an individual with the web of self in all, the Cosmos itself. As the Mother of all IIT system, and as the pioneering pace setter of science and technology, IIT Kharagpur was initiated as a mansion of learning on the bedrock of sacrifice by our martyrs seeking national independence.

The Institute started with 42 teachers and 224 students in 1951 on the lines of MIT. We have grown enormously since then with almost 17000 students currently and I would like to thank all the previous directors and chairman for nurturing this institution. We need to have a critical mass where the goals of the Institute should not only be administration driven but where a particular system must continue irrespective of other things and need to focus on our strengths identifying the respective parameters. Today major organizations, institutions, administration and governance are operational under the leadership of IITians. The talent we have in this country should be tapped than losing them to MITs. The items in NEP 2020 has been implemented in the Higher Education system at IIT Kharagpur. We have implemented the entry exit policy with exposure of the students to industries with semester away programs. We have Centre for Classical & Folk Art, Indian Knowledge System, Academy of Leadership which are first of their kind in the country, remarked Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur.

The Young Alumni Achiever Award was given to 26 young alumni of IIT Kharagpur honouring their excellence in innovations, technological developments, research, community welfare, leadership, entrepreneurship, social impact, nation building, national interest and professional accomplishments.

“As an Alumnus of IIT Kanpur, I can say that IIT education is different from other education as it develops the holistic character of the students for not only the respective industries, they need to address the concerns of the society as well. I was amazed to find out that IIT Kharagpur has law school and medical school as well.” After speaking on Amrit Kal, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Developed India he continued to say that it gives him immense pleasure to see so many young entrepreneurs here who provide technology solutions to the remotest of the country. He shared his insights on Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators for India that would bring in new technology, new skills, new developments to fulfil the construction requirements of the people of this country. We make a new Chicago every year in this country based on sq feet measures. Today we can join in the transformation process of the country having the 3rd largest start-up ecsystem and more than 100 unicorns producing for the world. IITs can provide collaborative platforms for research and innovation and need to work on distance skilling,” shared Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, IAS, Chief Secretary Uttar Pradesh candidly.

The institute honoured five professors including Prof. Niloy Ganguly, Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Prof. Subhasish Basu Majumder, Materials Science Centre; Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Prof. Peeyush Soni, Department of Agricultural & Food Engineering and Prof. Chirodeep Bakli, School of Energy Science and Engineering with the Faculty Excellence Award 2023. The Institute Chair Professor Award 2023 was bestowed to Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. along with 32 Staff Excellence Awards 2023. A total of 25 people were recognized for their uninterrupted 25 years of service to the Institution. “Premise that EVs reduce carbon footprint is a myth,” was the topic for Foundation Day Debate which was conducted by Prof. Anandaroop Bhattacharya, Department of Mechanical Engineering engrossing the participation of Faculties, Students and Staffs in Netaji Auditorium followed by a cultural programme. Prof. Dipa Dube, Dean, Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Law handed over the prizes to the all the participants.

Dr. P Arun, Director, Tata Medical Centre explained the need of low-cost and sustainable healthcare products. He said, “Today learning cannot be just multidisciplinary, it has to be interdisciplinary. For IIT Kharagpur, a joint training program where strengths could be shared, the strength of a doctor could be shared with that of an engineer and that public knowledge could be used for public good. The progress of technology is relentless and you have to be prepared for it. With the invasion of AI, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary cooperation is going to be imperative in the years to come. We need to develop indigenous technology, our own technology, our own infrastructure and that is what is impressive about IIT Kharagpur which has done do much on affordable healthcare and technology. “

On March, 1952, Pandit Nehru laid the foundation stone of the new building. The first Board of Governors was constituted with Dr. B.C. Roy, as the chairman of the Institute. On Sept. 15, 1956, the Parliament of India passed an act known as the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) Act declaring this Institute as an Institution of National Importance. IIT Kharagpur is the oldest IIT established in India in 1951 and has been awarded the status of Institution of Eminence by the Government of India in 2019.

“We hope to be in the top 10 in the world by 2030 and identified niche areas in precision agriculture, Industry 4.0, affordable healthcare, Advance Transportation and Infrastructure. We are the first one to have AI Innovation Hub in Machine Learning. We will also have a Centre of Excellence on Futuristic Technologies with DRDO. The Government of India also gave us the responsibility of instituting a Department of Education from this year itself to train quality teachers. We are also working in the areas of medical sciences and technology for many years and have signed MoUs with AIIMs Kalyani and AIIIMs Delhi on the same lines. We believe in taking the technology to the last man standing of the society. We are also developing sustainable technologies in the rural sectors and have helped more than 20,000 farmers in West Bengal with prominent works that have been done in Bioenergy and Food Technology. Now we have more than 80,000 Alumni. We want our faculties and staff to think in a positive frame of mind so that they can reform, perform and transform – a clarion call by our Hon’ble Prime Minister,” added Prof. Tewari.

Today the institute as the largest of all IITs, comprises of 19 departments,12 schools, 18 centres (including five Centres of Excellence) and 2 academies, 21 halls of residence, 810+ Faculty Members, 880 Staffs, 15,7200+ Students with vast tree-laden campus spreading over 2100 acres has a self-contained township of over 15,000 inhabitants excluding students. Apart from engineering & technical studies, IIT KGP has multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary academic capabilities that commensurate with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) from day one. Along with incorporating India’s culture and knowledge tradition in NEP 2020, the way it has opened ways to sustainable innovations, smart solutions and modernization, has created a whole new dimension of productive inclusion. The Institute will also set its course for a new age of becoming the, “Vishwaguru and Vishwamitra – Sarvajan Hitaya: Sarvajan Sukhaya.”

Media Coverage :

Times of India	Telegraph	News 18
Free Press Journal	Career 360	ANM News
Amader Bharat	KGP News	Bangla Hunt
The Bengal Post	Dainik Jagran	Coalfields Mirror

Times of India Dainik Jagran Coalfield Mirror

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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IIT Kharagpur wins at the ADB Knowledge & Innovation Hub’s Transport Technology Innovation Challenge

Technology Innovation Challenge

Independent verification of the results
Publications of lessons learned by all the parties
Reference site and report for ADB and development member countries
Recommendations for next steps to scale-up the proposed solutions, including for future ADB-funded projects
Have a vision, plan and capability for future implementation/commercialization of the innovative technology solutions in DMCs

A user-friendly interactive system through the Technologies for Urban Transit to Enhance Mobility and Safe Accessibility (TUTEM) project that aims to enhance the last-mile security & safety of transit passengers in Hyderabad by providing commuters with safe access enroute to transit stations through mobile application platform was developed by Prof. Arkopal Goswami, Chairperson of Ranbir and Chitra Gupta School of Infrastructure Design and Management and Prof. Shreyas Bharule, Architecture and Regional Planning of IIT Kharagpur along with Prof. Avijit Maji of Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (lead); Prasant Sahu of BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus and LocationMind Inc., Tokyo. The project was announced the winner in the ADB Knowledge & Innovation Hub’s Transport Technology Innovation Challenge (TIC) supported and financed by the High-Level Technology (HLT) Fund ADB’s multi-donor trust fund promoting more widespread adoption of high-level technology in ADB projects.

Prof. Arkopal Goswami
Chairperson of Ranbir & Chitra Gupta School of Infrastructure Design & Management
IIt kahargpur

The venture will develop a user-friendly interactive system through the TUTEM: Technologies for Urban Transit to Enhance Mobility and Safe Accessibility (TUTEM) project. TUTEM aims to enhance the last-mile security & safety of transit passengers by providing commuters with safe access enroute to transit stations through mobile applications/features. It will develop security ratings for access routes to urban transit transfer points (UTTPs), safely pair users with secure para-transit operators, develop a speed-dialing system for distressed passengers, and finally demonstrate the system as a proof of concept (PoC).

Under TIC, technology providers are invited to submit a proposal to undertake a proof-of-concept/pilot of a high-level technology solution to address an identified development challenge where the selected proposals can receive a grant of up to US$500,000. The purpose of the TIC grant is to introduce new solutions in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) and thereby support ADB’s mandate in assisting DMC’s to reach the Sustainable Development Goals. Through TIC, DMCs will learn about new technology solutions to address various development challenges, and technology providers’ risks related to market entry may be reduced by showcasing their technologies.

Prof. Shreyas Bharule
Architecture and Regional Planning
IIT Kharagpur

The proposed technology or solution has to be new to the country or to the context with improved efficiency, impact, and/or life-cycle cost compared to existing solutions. However, the technology should have been tested and verified before in another country or context. The Transport Sector Technology Innovation Challenge (TIC) calls the technology providers to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to propose and conduct a pilot on high-level technology solution addressing one of the two development challenges – Improve Security for Public Transport Users and Promote Health & Hygiene for Public Transport Users.

The ADB Technology Innovation Challenge (TIC) calls for technology providers to submit proposals for innovative solutions to address a specific development challenge that ADB teams have identified. The winning proposal is awarded a grant to accelerate implementation of proposed technology solutions. TIC is being implemented under the knowledge and support technical assistance “Support for Innovation and Technology Partnerships in Asia and the Pacific – Subproject 3: High-Level Technology Application to Address Development Challenges,” which is financed on a grant basis by the High-Level Technology Fund and administered by ADB.

Description of the HLT solution and TIC project:

A mobile based application will be created and tested in Hyderabad.
The technology aims to enhance last-mile security and safety of transit passengers and give passengers an option to choose the safest mode/route of the transit through the mobile application platform.
A user-friendly interactive system will be developed where passenger can get real-time information about the city’s transit network and public and para transportation system’s operation.
The technology includes safety and security rating dashboard for urban transit transfer points and its adjoining area; pairing users among themselves and with pre-verified local paratransit systems for first and last mile routes; and speed dialing system for the distressed passenger.

Inputs by : Prof. Arkopal Goswami, Chairperson of Ranbir and Chitra Gupta School of Infrastructure Design and Management, IIT Kharagpur
Email: akgoswami@infra.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Appointment of Captain Amit Jain (Retd.) as Registrar IIT Kharagpur

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur welcomes Captain Amit Jain (Retd.) as the new Registrar of IIT Kharagpur effective from 3^rd July, 2023. Served as a Senior Advisor to Indian Navy, INS Angre Mumbai in 2021, he was also in-charge of admin logistics for ships as the Commanding Officer for Indian Navy, INS Dwarka Okha in 2019. Captain Jain started his career with the Indian Navy in positions like Navigating Officer, Operations Officer and Executive officer for more than three decades. A product of National Defence Academy in 1986, he has also completed his M.Sc in Defence and Strategic Studies from University of Madras in 2001 and PGDBM in Human Resources from Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune in 2014.

Captain Amit Jain (Retd.) has been on the advisory board of heritage restoration, organizing Navy week events and sustainable infrastructure development. His administrative, operational, and logistics support to ships and personnel at Okha during COVID has been highly recognized. He has resolved water problems, augmented amenities, improved quality, hygiene, and sanitation in the township of 1000 people and raised Miyawaki forest on 900 sqm rocky plot at Okha. Awarded Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) commendation in 2008, he has contributed significant inputs for preparation of DPRs Project Seabird Phase IIA.

Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti, Acting Director, IIT Kharagpur stated, “We welcome Captain Amit Jain (Retd.) as the new Registrar of IIT Kharagpur and look forward to his able guidance, constructive ideations and supportive encouragement in reshaping this institute for its future aspirations. The excellent services rendered by Dr. Tamal Nath, Outgoing Registrar is greatly appreciated and acknowledged.”

Media Coverage :

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Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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A happy soul, a fresh mind and a healthy body are achieved through Yoga – International Day of Yoga 2023

IIT KGP celebrates Yoga Mahotsav to commemorate the 9th International Yoga Day (IDY 2023)

You cannot always control what goes on outside but you can always control what goes on inside. Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. Yoga teaches you how to listen to your body and makes us find the peace that lies within us. Through Practice comes Yoga, through Yoga comes Knowledge, through Knowledge comes Enlightenment and through Enlightenment comes Peace.

Technology Students’ Gymkhana, IIT Kharagpur in commemoration of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, ‘FIT India Movement’ and ‘Jan Bhagidari’ in India’s G20 Presidency, scheduled a series of Yoga activities- A ‘Yoga Mahotsav’ for the students and the campus community from 3rd June to 21st June 2023. Experts from Technology Students’ Gymkhana (TSG) has conducted Yoga sessions on a regular basis during weekdays with a focus on specific topic each day. The session on weekend has been conducted by renowned experts from other organizations. A total of 790 members registered for the events.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. V. K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur in the presence of Prof. A. K Singh, President, TSG, Prof. Jayanta Chakraborty, Coordinator, Yoga Mahotsav & ISY, Prof. K. Bhattacharyya, Treasurer, Gymkhana and Other Invited Guests, Faculty Members, Staff Members and Students. Prof. Virendra Kumar Tewari, Director IIT Kharagpur, who has given inaugural speech on Benefits of Routine Yoga Practice and motivated the campus community to perform yogic activities on a regular basis. Prof. Ajay Singh, President, Technology Students’ Gymkhana has enlightened campus community in line with Jan Bhagidari during India’s G20 Presidency. Prof. Jayanta Chakraborty, coordinator of Yoga Mahotsav and 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) explained about the Objectives of 9th International Day of Yoga, that includes: branding India, awareness, good health and well-being, scale up the level, pool the resources and joint efforts.

The event was live telecast for the campus community and students, so that they can participate from their place of residence. Caps were distributed to motivate and encourage routine practice of the learned methods. In the afternoon, quiz on Yoga and Yoga competitions were conducted for campus school children and campus community.

Programs like Introduction to Yoga, Yoga Protocol Practices and Workout, Stay Fit with Gentle Hatha Yoga, Power Vinyasa (Immunity Booster), Iyengar Yoga were conducted. Lecture on Stress Management and Meditation Practices, Yogic Life of SAMANVIT Yoga that comprises breathing and asanas, S Vyasa – The Inner Engineering and Yoga practices for body and mind were also conducted along with Yoga to cure postural deformity and physical development through Yoga. Yoga Quiz for campus school children and Yoga IDY theme poster presentation were also organized on 21^st June, 2023.

On this profound day of yogic rejuvenation, Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur remarked, “The foundations of IIT Kharagpur rests on the eternal motto of ‘Yoga Karmashu Kaushalam’ from the Gita. It means that the individual interests behind any action which is either driven by material success or failure must be transformed to a higher and universal process of Yoga i.e., a communion between the self of an individual with the web of self in all, the Cosmos itself. As the Mother of all IIT system, spread over the lush-green ‘Gurukul’ ambiance of a campus, neither close to nor away from a big city, IIT Kharagpur brings under one fold the ancient and the modern in unison. As the pioneering pace setter of science and technology, IIT Kharagpur preaches the journey of the self, through the self, to the self that can be achieved by the sound balance of inquisitive mind and an active body.”

More than 250 members practiced different forms of yoga regularly along with trainers from Gymkhana and invited Experts. On 21st June 2023, the 9th International Day of Yoga around 400 members have participated and practiced Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) demonstrated by Mr. Sudhir Kumar & Miss Sangita Mondal.

Prof. A K Singh, President, Technology Students’ Gymkhana, IIT Kharagpur, “Being an Institute of National Importance and the mother of all IIT system in India, IIT Kharagpur works in a very distinguished manner to promote health and fitness among the faculty members and the students of the Institute. Technology Students’ Gymkhana is in the process of setting up structured processes to identify, facilitate and develop talent (Sports, Health & Fitness) with involvement of all stakeholders.”

Inputs from : Prof. A K Singh, President TSG, IIT Kharagpur & Prof. Jayanta Chakraborty, Coordinator of Yoga Mahotsav, IIT Kharagpur
Email : singh@phy.iitkgp.ac.in and jayanta@che.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) offers Overseas Research Internships for Summer Scholarship 2023

In collaboration with IIT Kharagpur Foundation, USA (IITKGPF), the Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) Scholarship was awarded to 11 students of IIT Kharagpur this year. This is the 2nd year that the GKF Scholarship will support the IIT KGP students to carry out their research internship in foreign universities. 10 students were selected by the IIT KGP selection committee for a total scholarship award of $45,000. Each conferred scholarship depends upon the funding received by the student from their host institutions. The GKF scholars are pursuing their summer research internship at premier universities in the USA, UK, Belgium, Canada, and Germany.

Dr. Mukund Padmanabhan
Founder of Guru
Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur

Mukund Padmanabhan received a BS in Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1997, and a MS (1989) and PhD (1992) in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. After UCLA, he worked in the area of speech recognition at the IBM T. J. Watson Research Lab where he managed the Advanced Telephony Speech Algorithms group.

Dr. Mukund Padmanabhan, Founder of Guru Krupa Foundation & Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, the man behind this noble initiative who stated that, “These summer programs definitely add value to IIT KGP academia and it is my pleasure, as an Alumnus, to be able to provide these internships to the current students that will further contribute to their holistic development.” The funds are donated by the KGPian through his Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) www.gurukrupa.org

Mr. Manav Nitin Kapadnis
Department of Electrical Engineering
IIT Kharagpur

Manav Nitin Kapadnis, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and one of the recipient of this prestigious scholarship remarked, “Receiving the scholarship from GKF was truly a life-changing moment for me. As a student pursuing my passion for advancing the field of artificial intelligence and natural language processing, I was granted the remarkable opportunity to work on improving ChatGPT during my internship at Inria Paris. This invaluable experience has not only broadened my academic horizons but has also provided me with practical knowledge and exposure to cutting-edge research in my field. The financial support provided by GKF has been instrumental in making this transformative journey a reality. The scholarship enabled me to cover the expenses associated with my visit to Paris, including travel, accommodation, and living costs. During my internship at Inria Paris, I had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed researchers and professionals in the field. The opportunity to work alongside experts in the area of natural language processing has been both humbling and inspiring. The guidance and mentorship I received have contributed significantly to my growth as a researcher and have fuelled my passion for advancing the boundaries of AI technologies. I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the Guru Krupa Foundation for their unwavering commitment to promoting educational and research opportunities for students like me. Your vision and dedication to empowering deserving individuals have had a profound impact on my academic and professional journey. The scholarship has opened doors to new possibilities and has played an instrumental role in shaping my future career trajectory. I am committed to utilizing the knowledge and experiences gained during this internship to make meaningful contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and drive positive change in society.”

After IBM, he pivoted to Wall Street and is currently a partner and researcher at hedge fund Renaissance Technologies in New York. He is the founder and president of the US-based private charitable foundation, the Guru Krupa Foundation that supports the scholarships for research internships for IIT Kharagpur students. Dr. Padmanabhan is the recipient of the Professional Achievement Award from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering in the year 2019 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award 2021 from IIT Kharagpur.

Shrey Gogia
Department of Physics
IIT Kharagpur

Shrey Gogia, Department of Physics, IIT Kharagpur and another recipient of this prestigious scholarship said, “I am truly grateful to be a recipient of the IIT Kharagpur Foundation Scholarship 2023, conferred by the IITKGP Foundation USA. This scholarship has enabled me to pursue a research internship at one of the leading scientific organisations in Europe: l’Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris, France. My experience here would be essential for my development towards becoming a well rounded physicist by providing exposure to frontier research. I thank the selection committee for this honor. I am also grateful for the generosity of our alumni for establishing this scholarship.”

Apart from the above scholarship, 15 students from departments of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology, Aerospace Engineering and Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur have also been awarded the IIT Kharagpur Foundation Scholarship 2023 funded by IITKGP Foundation USA.

Anirban Chatterjee, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and another recipient of this prestigious scholarship remarked, “I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to receive the esteemed Guru Krupa Scholarship, which has played a pivotal role in supporting my foreign internship. This scholarship provided me with the financial assistance I needed to pursue an international internship in my field of study. As an engineering student, I have always been passionate about gaining hands-on experience in a global setting, and the Guru Krupa Scholarship made this dream a reality. Thanks to the generous support provided by the scholarship, I was able to secure an internship with WMG, University of Warwick in the UK. This opportunity allowed me to immerse myself in a diverse and dynamic work environment, where I was able to learn from industry professionals and gain valuable insights into global research practices. Knowing that an esteemed organization such as yours believed in my potential enough to invest in my future strengthened my resolve to make the most out of this internship opportunity. By providing me with the means to pursue an international internship, you have not only helped me expand my skill set and knowledge but have also empowered me to become a global citizen. The experiences and lessons learned during my internship will undoubtedly impact my future academic and career pursuits in immeasurable ways. Thank you for your continued support of aspiring students like myself. I hope that my success story serves as an inspiration for future scholarship recipients, encouraging them to pursue their dreams fearlessly and embrace the transformative power of education.

IITKGP USA Foundation connects KGP Alumni with their alma mater in the US and Canada with the purpose to facilitate and enhance connection and devotion to their alma mater. Their participation takes place by aiding in the development and improvement of IITKGP by the endowment of funds and extending support towards institutional development, student welfare and community development around the KGP campus.

Prof. V K Tewari, Director, IIT Kharagpur congratulated the recipients saying, “The scholarship has opened doors to new possibilities and played an instrumental role in shaping the future trajectory of meritorious students. This kind of scholarship inspires the students to pursue their passion and gives them a practical notion about research development and implementation of ideas in terms of global industry expertise. I am thankful to Dr. Mukund Padmanabhan and IIT KGP Foundation USA for their such a thoughtful action of generosity that transcended into such inclusive student welfare activity. All the best for all future endeavours.”

Media Coverage:

PTI	Economic Times	Indian Express
News 18	Dainik Jagran	Careers 360
Telegraph	Ananda Bazar Patrika

Dainik Jagran

Inputs from : IIT KGP Foundation and Office of International Relations, IIT Kharagpur
Email : meenakshi@iitkgpfoundation.org and shruti@adm.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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