IIT Bombay releases special Commemorative Stamp on 59th Foundation Day

MUMBAI, MARCH 10: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) celebrated its 59th Foundation Day today. The foundation stone for the internationally-recognized Institute was laid by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India on March 10, 1959.

IIT Bombay was the second IIT to be established in the country and the first one to be established with a foreign aid received from UNESCO. Since then, the Institute has grown from strength to strength and is now counted among the best engineering institutions across the globe.

The ceremony commenced with a welcome address by the Director of IIT Bombay Professor Devang Khakhar, highlighting key milestones achieved by the Institute in 59 years and announcing the beginning of Institute's Diamond Jubilee year (March 10, 2018 to March 10, 2019). Welcoming the guests, he said, “The biggest change in the Institute is the trend of faculty from different Departments collaborating to form large multidisciplinary centres to address particular areas. I am happy to announce that we have placed an order for a new supercomputer 'Space Time' that will provide a visible leap forward in our computer capabilities”. He also spoke about increased industry interactions, international engagements, entrepreneurship and increased alumni engagements.

On the occasion, the Chief Guest for the function, Honourable Governor of Maharashtra Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao unveiled the plaque for new Guest House Padmavihar in the presence of the Guests of Honour Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Ex-Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Bombay.

The fitting epitaph to (kick start) the Diamond Jubilee year was the release of Institute Postal Stamp and the Diamond Jubilee Logo by the Chief Guest Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao at the function. In his inaugural address, Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao said, “Like the 'Make In India', we must implement 'Teach In India' programme to associate best faculty with our institutions”.

Calling IIT Bombay the real diamond in the crown of India, the Chief Guest urged the Institute to prepare a road map for itself. A Nobel price for India long over-due, and if any institution can deliver it for India, it is IIT Bombay. It is necessary that research funding and student funding are enhanced substantially. Let IIT Bombay be the nucleus to facilitate a vibrant start-up ecosystem, he said.

The Institute celebrated 59th anniversary of its inception today by honouring its select alumni for their achievements in diverse fields ranging from academics, research and entrepreneurship. The 'Prof. S.C. Bhattacharya Award for Excellence in Research in Pure Sciences' and 'Prof. H.H. Mathur Award for Excellence in Research in Applied Sciences’ were given away by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao. Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Ex-Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Bombay and the Guest of Honour for the function gave away the Distinguished Alumnus Awards and Young Alumnus Achiever Awards.

The Institute had long felt the need to recognize the alumni of IIT Bombay, who have excelled in their field of work and made the Institute proud. With this intention, the Distinguished Alumnus Awards (DAA) have been instituted. The awardees this year include:

Mr. Rameshwar Kumar Maini

Mr. Jayant Damodar Patil

Prof. Subodh G. Mhaisalkar

Prof. Praveen Kumar

Dr. T.V. Raman