"Shaping achievers is what makes IIT so special" Anil Kakodkar

The Chief Guest of the 43rd Foundation Day, Anil Kakodkar, Chairperson of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), speaking on the occasion said "shaping several achievers is what makes IIT so special". "Keeping in touch with the alumni would keep the institution moving on its path towards excellence" he added.

Held on March 11, 2002 at the P.C. Saxena Auditorium, the day witnessed the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Awards to 8 alumni , namely :

 

• Avinash Manudhane (B.Tech-'75, Chemical Engineering)
  Managing Director and Partner
  Goldman, Sachs & Co.
  
   
• Parag Rele (B.Tech-'69, Hons, Chemical Engineering),
  Managing Director & CEO
  Aplab Limited
  
   
• Jagmohan Mundhra (B.Tech-'68, Electrical Engineering)
  Filmmaker
  
   
• Ashank Desai (M.Tech-'74, Mechanical Engineering)
  Chairman and Managing Director
  Mastek Ltd.
  
   
• Rajesh Mashruwala (B.Tech - '75, Mechanical Engineering)
  Executive Vice President
  TIBCO Software Inc., USA
  
   
• Dinesh Mohan (B.Tech-'67, Hons- Mechanical Engineering)
  Henry Ford Professor for Biomechanics and Transportation Safety
  IIT Delhi
  
   
• Satish Agnihotri (M.Sc.-'76, Physics, M.Tech-'80, Environmental Science and Engineering)
  Consultant ( Health & Nutrition)
  UNICEF, Kolkata
  
   
• Krishnanand Prabhu (M.Sc.-'75, Physics).
  Venture Partner
  Morgenthaler Ventures
  
   

Those present were Parag Rele, Ashank Desai, Dinesh Mohan and Satish Agnihotri. All the award recipients reminisced over their IIT days and related humorous anecdotes of their experiences on the campus.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Prof. K.P. Madhavan in recognition of his outstanding contributions as a teacher, scientist, technologist and administrator. He was also known for optimizing the potential of his students and playing a key role in enhancing IIT, Bombay as a multi-disciplinary centre. Prof. Madhavan gave a memorable speech about his earlier experiences in the institution. He is deeply involved with the affairs of the institute and continues to contribute towards its growth.

Prof. Madhavan has over several decades been a teacher and researcher of high calibre. He has been instrumental in establishing various academic programmes and policies, shaping R & D initiatives in new thrust areas, and in enhancing interactions with the industries.

Anil Kakodkar stated that there would be increasing collaboration between IIT and the Department of Atomic Energy. The proposed tie-up would be both, in areas of research and educational programmes.

Chairperson of IIT Board of Governors, Prof. M.G.K. Menon expressed confidence that Mumbai IIT would shortly attain the status of a globally prestigious institution. He said "IIT has fulfilled its expectations for those who founded it and that although it has a long way to go, we must rejoice on its achievement so far. "