67th Institute Foundation Day at IIT KGP
It’s not the beauty of the building you look at, it’s the foundation that has stood the test of time. On 18th August, 2018, IIT Kharagpur celebrated 66 glorious years of perpetual growth on its 67th Foundation Day. Years back, the initiation of this institute motivated the notion of a India, affirmed to advance the bubbling aspirations of a post independence India’s historic tryst with the project of modernity. The augmentation IIT Kharagpur has witnessed in this span of 66 years, which is not a very significant time for an academic institute, is the reason our nation crowns itself with IIT Kharagpur as a prodigy.
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, the chief architect responsible for the notion of establishing this institute, envisaged this institute as the foundation for building the industrial, scientific and technological edifice of the nation. He visioned of this institute to provide valid and vital inputs to nurture the needs of an infant independent India.
At its acme, the 67th Foundation Day had Shri Kewal Kumar Sharma, IAS, secretary, Higher education MHRD Govt. of India as the chief guest, who emphasised upon the substantial efforts and Schemes developed by the Indian government to help the IITs reach their zenith. He also highly spoke of the dynamic IIT system and the ecstasy of a student on being a part of it. Finally presented with a souvenir, by Prof. Partha P Chakrabarti, Director of IIT Kharagpur, he left for a department visit. Prof. Partha P Chakrabarti too, fondly stated how IIT Kharagpur has travelled miles ahead in the fields of robotics, infrastructure growth and developing a diverse curriculum from the initial shore it left 66 year back. He even acknowledged the potent role that the Alumni community has played, serving as august ambassadors of the “IIT Kharagpur brand” and aiding the institute in carving its own niche.
With every passing day, IIT Kharagpur takes a step forward towards realizing Shri Jawaharlal Nehru’s endeavour and all aspiration that preceded it. The voyage of this institute till date is more of a manifestation of our pursuit of a premier nation, and not just a series of desired outcomes. IIT Kharagpur’s evolution inspires, and is a paragon for other emerging institutes across the nation.
