Social Impact – The KGP Chronicle

Jun

13

2025

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IIT Kharagpur Team Secures National Win in Ideas4Life Ideathon for “Save Water”

Awards & Accolades, Community, Environment & Social Impact, Expert Insight, Social ImpactAdopt Healthy Lifestyles, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, citizen-centric, Cleaner Environment, Climate Change, eco-friendly charcoal, energy production, environment, Environmental Sustainability, fertilizers, Forest, growing microbes, Hydrothermal Carbonization, Ideas4Life, Ideathon, IIT Kharagpur, Innovative, Innovative Solutions, Lifestyle for Environment, lignocellulosic hydrochar, microbial fuel cell, Mission LiFE, MoEFCC, process water, Raw Sewage, Reduce E-Waste, Reduce Waste, renewable energy production, Save Energy, Save Water, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Social Impact, Sustainable Solutions, UNICEF YuWaah, Waste Management, Water Conservation, World Environment Day

A team from IIT Kharagpur comprising Rajarshi Bhar, Joydeepa Taran and Anil, guided by Prof. Brajesh Kumar Dubey from the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur has been awarded the first prize in the Ideas4Life initiative of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change under the category of “Save Water.” The winners were felicitated on the World Environment Day function on 5th June, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change applauded the initiative, stating it had successfully surfaced innovative, citizen-centric, and sustainable solutions that pave the way for environmentally…

May

23

2025

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By Poulami Mondal

Bridging Faith and Technology: The IIT KGP Alumni Behind a Spiritual Wellness Revolution

Alumni Corner, Engagement, Humans of KGP, Social Impact, StoriesAI, Algorithms, Alumni Spotlight, automation, BlessMe, Chatbot, Chemical Engineering, Cyber, Deep Tech, DeepTech, Faith Tech Revolution, FaithTech, IIT KGP Alumni, Innovation, Nirvana Nilima Wellness Private Limited, SamAI, Spiritual Engagement, spiritual landscape, Spiritual Wellness Revolution, Spirituality, Startup Mahakumbh 2.0, Startup Maharathi Award, Startups, technology, tradition

Alumni Story of the Week Redefining the spiritual landscape through AI and deep tech In a world increasingly powered by algorithms and automation, spirituality may seem like the last frontier untouched by technology. Yet, for a visionary alumni of IIT Kharagpur, it is precisely where innovation and tradition converge. Meet Mr. Kallol Konar, M.Tech, Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur and Dr. Nilima Roy Chowdhury, Clinical Research, Cranfield University, the dynamic duo behind Nirvana Nilima Wellness Private Limited—a pioneering force in what we call "Faithtech." Their flagship platform, BlessMe, is setting a new benchmark for spiritual engagement, recently earning the coveted Startup…

Apr

29

2025

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By Poulami Mondal

Revolutionizing Sustainability: IIT Kharagpur Scientists Unlock Graphene-Powered Solution for Effortless Oil-Water Separation

Environment & Social Impact, Expert Insight, Research & Innovation, Social ImpactAdsorption, chemical dispersants, chemical stability, cutting-edge method, energy-efficient, environmental protection, environmental threats, external energy inputs, filtration, Graphene, industrial effluent management, marine ecosystems, mechanical skimming, mechanical strength, offshore exploration, oil spill cleanup, oil spill mitigation, oil spills, Oil-Water Separation, sustainability, tanker collisions, wastewater treatment

In a remarkable stride towards sustainable environmental solutions, researchers at IIT Kharagpur, led by Dr. Chirodeep Bakli, from Department of Energy Science and Engineering have developed an innovative technique for separating oil and water using ultra-thin, two-dimensional graphene channels. This cutting-edge method promises to transform the way industries tackle oil spills and water contamination, offering an energy-efficient alternative to conventional techniques. Graphene, a wonder material discovered in the early 21st century, has captivated scientists worldwide due to its extraordinary mechanical strength, atomic thinness, and excellent thermal and chemical stability. At the heart of this breakthrough is the exploitation of these…

Mar

26

2025

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By Poulami Mondal

Tropical Shifts Fuel Enhanced Melting of West Antarctic Ice Shelves

Environment, Environment & Social Impact, Research, Researcher, Social ImpactAntarctic climate, atmospheric changes, atmospheric circulation, climate model simulations, climate models, cryospheric changes, Earth, El Niño, environment, global sea-level rise, ice sheets, ice shelves, interannual climate events, Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, Melting Icecaps, polar regions, Ross-Amundsen Sea, sea surface temperatures, South Pacific Convergence Zone, Southern Annular Mode, surface melting, teleconnections, tropical convection, Tropical Shifts, West Antarctic

Groundbreaking research sheds light on atmospheric changes behind accelerated melting, with implications for global sea-level rise A recent study published in Communications Earth & Environment reveals significant findings regarding the rapid increase in surface melting across West Antarctic ice shelves over the last two decades. Led by Prof. Pranab Deb, Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at IIT Kharagpur and co-authored by leading atmospheric scientists including David Bromwich from the Byrd Center's Polar Meteorology Group, the study offers fresh insights into the atmospheric drivers behind these dramatic shifts in Antarctic ice behavior. a. Pacific Ocean sector of…

Mar

19

2025

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By Poulami Mondal

….And then there was light!

Environment & Social Impact, Institute, Research & Innovation, Social Impact, Spotlight InnovationClean Energy, Cost Effective, deep water, Economic Development, energy harvesting machine, green energy generation, hydroelectric power generation, IIT Kharagpur, Innovation, local transportation, no turbine, power generation technology, Static Electricity, strong current, Subarnarekha River, sustainable energy, water currents, water power

Researchers at IIT Kharagpur are generating electricity from Subarnarekha river by harnessing the flow of water without turbines A groundbreaking initiative by researchers from IIT Kharagpur is transforming how we think about hydroelectric power generation. Instead of relying on traditional turbines or large dams, this team is harnessing the power of water flow in the Subarnarekha River to generate electricity using a unique and innovative method. In the past five to six months, the researchers, along with local workers, have successfully lit LED lights using electricity generated from the river’s flow in Keshiari block, Paschim Medinipur district. Their initial success…

Feb

18

2025

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By Poulami Mondal

IIT Kharagpur Inaugurates the Zen Lounge: A New Space for Mindfulness and Well-being

Alumni Corner, Collaborations, Community, Engagement, Outreach Activity, Social ImpactIIT Kharagpur

In a remarkable addition to its student welfare and campus facilities, Zen Lounge, a yoga and meditation hall located within the SNIG Girls Hostel at IIT Kharagpur was inaugurated recently. The Zen Lounge is dedicated to foster mindfulness, well-being, and mental wellness for the students, and marks an important milestone in promoting holistic education at IIT Kharagpur. With the generous support of Ms. Viji Narayanan, a distinguished alumna of IIT Kharagpur, who resided in the same girls’ hostel during her undergraduate years from (1986-1991), her vision is to create a space for mindfulness which stems from her own transformative experiences…

Nov

14

2024

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By Poulami Mondal

Tropical Rainforest will Survive the Future global warming: finds IIT Kharagpur study

Environment & Social Impact, Expert Insight, Researcher, Social ImpactAncient Biomes, Atmospheric Carbon, Biodiversity, Carbon Cycle, Climate Change, CO2 Emission, Coastal Lagoons, Evergreen Plants, Fossil Fuel, Global Warming, Gujarat, Hydrological Cycle, Isotopes, Mangrove Plants, Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, PETM, Plant Organic Matter, Pollens, Rainfall Pattern, Sea-floor Sediments, Sediments, Super-Greenhouse Globe, TRF community, Tropical Island, Tropical Rainforest, Vastan Coal Mines

The tropical rain forests (TRF) like Amazon or Western Ghats are considered as “the lungs of the planet”, contain about 200-300 petagram (1015) or approx. 1/3rd of the total atmospheric carbon and plays a crucial role in modulating the global carbon cycle, biodiversity and hydrological cycle. The 2023 AR6 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns if the CO2 emission and global warming continues unabated the TRF community may altogether collapse much before the end of this century, and will drive a global catastrophe affecting nearly 800 million people worldwide. However, scientists are sharply divided on this…

Sep

05

2024

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By Poulami Mondal

Empowering Educators With Digital Pedagogy by Centre for Teaching Learning and Virtual Skilling

Community, Engagement, Outreach Activity, Research & Innovation, Social ImpactAssessment, ATDC, Augmented Reality, CTLVS, Digital Pedagogy, Digital Tools, Empowering Educators, Game-based Learning, IIT KGP, IIT Kharagpur, Innovation, Interactive Technologies, School Teachers, Teaching Practices, teaching-learning, technology, Technology-based Teaching., Virtual Reality, Virtual Skilling

Is virtual reality teaching possible? How positive impact can digital content have on student assessment? Ahead of Teacher's Day, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur organized a special one-day workshop to find answers to some of these questions. The Centre for Teaching Learning and Virtual Skilling (CTLVS) at IIT Kharagpur successfully conducted a one-day workshop titled "Empowering Educators With Digital Pedagogy and Technology," on 4th September 2024. The workshop, aimed at school teachers from KVS, introduced innovative methods for enhancing teaching practices through digital tools and interactive technologies. A total of 30 teachers from different branches of Kendriya Vidyalayas of Kolkata participated in…

Jun

27

2024

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By Poulami Mondal

“Staying Healthy is anything but easy,” said the Gogineni Sisters – The Alumni Story of the Week

Health, Humans of KGP, Research & Innovation, Social Impact100% Plant Based, biotechnology, Earthful, health, Millet, Natural Foods, naturally, nutrition, nutrition deficiency, Nutritional Supplements, Protein, Staying Helathy, Supplements, Undernutrition

Sisters Sudha Gogineni (2010/DD/CH) and Veda Gogineni (2013/DD/BT), both graduates of IIT Kharagpur, left their high-paying corporate careers to address a significant issue in India: Undernutrition. Growing up in a health-conscious household and practicing yoga, the importance of good health was ingrained in them from a young age. However, the demands of their professional lives took a toll on their health, leading to issues like knee pain and fatigue. Their decade-long corporate story could be anyone’s story. They have worked their way to great jobs, worked incredibly hard, and felt like they had it all. Before, it all began.…

Mar

07

2024

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By Poulami Mondal

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for the School Children in Regional Language

Awards & Accolades, Engagement, Humans of KGP, Social ImpactArtificial Intelligence, Belur Math, Centrifugal Pump, Emerging Technology, Engineering Science, Fluid Mechanics, FNAE, Gas Turbine, Heat Transfer, IEEE, industrial research, Innovative Course, Machine Design, Online Course, Principle of Gas Turbine, Ramakrishna Mission, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Regional Language, robotics, school children, Science Education, Solid Mechanics, Technological Transformations, Technologist of the Year, Vivekdisha

Following the mandate of National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, Institute Chair Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT Kharagpur, has developed one new course on "Robotics and Artificial Intelligence" of 11 hours duration in Regional Language (Bengali) for the School Children starting from Class-9 to Class-12, with the initiative of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Belur Math. Recently awarded the Fellowship of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE) and presented the Fellowship Certificate in the Induction Ceremony held as a part of the Annual General Meeting of Fellows on 11th December 2023 at…