The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) celebrated the 77th Republic Day on January 26, 2026.
Mr. Raj Nair was the Chief Guest of the function. An AI enthusiast, entrepreneur, investor, strategy consultant and a widely travelled adventurer across the world, including Antarctica and the Arctic, Mr. Raj Nair currently serves as Chairman of Avalon Consulting, AGR Knowledge Services and Germinait Solutions, and is the co-founder of Hornback e-Mobility, which created the world’s first full-size diamond-frame foldable e-bike. Mr. Nair received his B.Tech. (Hons.), Metallurgical Engineering in 1971 from IIT Bombay and later completed his MBA in Marketing and Finance from IIM Ahmedabad in 1973. He is a recipient of IIT Bombay’s Distinguished Service Award (2016) and Distinguished Alumnus Award (2019). Deeply committed to giving back, he has personally funded and built the 10XGMP facility at IIT Bombay. He mentors young entrepreneurs, serves on the Institute Strategy Planning Committee at IIT Bombay and is a Patient Advisor to the National Cancer Grid. His interests include reading, writing, travelling, cooking and painting.
The celebration commenced with the unfurling of the National Flag by the Institute’s Director Prof. Shireesh Kedare at the Institute’s Gymkhana ground. IIT Bombay security staff and NCC saluted the National Flag. Prof. Shireesh Kedare addressed the gathering and shared his best wishes with the IIT Bombay community on the occasion of the 77th Republic Day. He also congratulated former Deputy Director and distinguished academician Prof. Juzer Vasi, along with IIT Bombay alumnus Mr. Shashi Shekhar Vempati, on being conferred the Padma Shri - the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India. Prof. Kedare felicitated Prof. Vasi with a shawl and potted plant on the occasion.
“The true role of an educational institution is to make people aware, alert and active through learning that goes beyond teaching to shared experience, collaboration and responsibility. Democracy is not limited to voting alone, it is participation at every level of our lives, at home, in our workplaces and in our communities, through dialogue, consultation and consensus,” said Prof. Kedare.
“Republic Day reminds us that India is governed not by a few, but by ‘We, the People’. The Republic survives not merely through laws, but through citizens who choose integrity over convenience, courage over silence, and compassion over indifference. In the age of AI, teaching students how to think is far more important than teaching them what to think.The Republic is not something we inherit and enjoy but it is something we nourish every day through our conduct and values,” said Mr. Nair.
During the event, the Director awarded certificates to winners of an essay writing competition held during Vigilance Awareness Week 2025. Security Officers, guards and staff from IIT Bombay and NCC cadets were felicitated during the event. The celebrations were marked by wonderful performances filled with the spirit and fervour of the Republic Day celebrations by students of Aman Day Care Centre, IIT Bombay Campus School, PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Mumbai, IIT Bombay and NSS. 360 students from KV and 358 students from Campus School participated in the cultural programme along with their teachers. 30 IIT Bombay students sang a nationalist song and full Vande Mataram at the end. More than 2000 members of campus community attended the function.