Skip to main content
IIT Bombay Celebrates India’s 80th Independence Day
IDphoto1
Security
Staff Excellence award
guests and awardees

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) celebrated the 80th Independence Day on 15th August, 2026 with great enthusiasm and pride. The celebrations took place near the iconic arch facing the Nandan Nilekani Main Building, a fitting venue for honouring the spirit of India’s freedom.

The ceremony commenced at 9:00 a.m. with the unfurling of the National Flag by Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, in the esteemed presence of the Chief Guest Mr. Suhas Mehta, Distinguished Alumnus, IIT Bombay. The tricolour fluttered high as the National Anthem and the National Song echoed through the campus, stirring patriotic emotions amongst all present.

The celebrations continued with a vibrant cultural programme by the students, showcasing the spirit of unity in diversity.

The event was attended by faculty, staff, students and their families, and was also broadcast live on the Institute’s YouTube channel, enabling wider participation from the IIT Bombay community.

The campus came alive with tricolour-themed lights and decorations. The entire Institute stood together as one family, reaffirming its dedication to the nation’s progress and prosperity.

The Independence Day celebrations were followed by the presentation of the IIT Bombay Staff Excellence Awards (IITB-SEA), instituted in 2025 to recognise the outstanding contributions of non-teaching staff:

  • Lifetime Staff Excellence Award:
    • Mr. Ramesh Boke, Security Section
  • Individual Excellence Awards: 
    • Ms. Komal Sakharkar (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
    • Mr. Prasanna Hate (Academic Section)
    • Mr. Amit Joshi (Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science)
    • Mr. Mahesh Naithani (Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering)
    • Mr. U. Ramesh, Design Cell (Office of Dean Infrastructure Planning and Support)
  • Team Excellence Awards:
    • Ms. Joyita Roy Sarkar, Dr. Sreelekha Gopinathan and Mr. Sagar Maske (Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre) 

As part of the celebrations, the Director and the Chief Guest felicitated four staff members — Ms. Varsha Vinod Mhapankar, Dean (ACR) Office; Ms. Vrushali Dattaram Sansare, Internal Audit and Grievance Redresal Section; Mr. Prakash Bhaskar Ranade, Department of Electrical Engineering and Ms. Tabassum Zahid Majgaonkar, Academic Section — for their remarkable 40 years of dedicated service to the Institute. Their commitment exemplifies the values of perseverance and institutional pride.

On the occasion, NCC cadets also organised a grand Tiranga Yatra, bringing together the entire campus community in a powerful celebration of patriotism, unity and national pride. Carrying a magnificent 1,000-ft Tiranga, students, faculty, staff and members of the campus community marched together. The energy of the march grew with every passing step, creating an atmosphere of celebration, camaraderie and patriotism.

Recent News