IIT Kanpur Celebrates 65 Years of Innovation and Excellence, Honors 18 Alumni Members

The Indian Institute of Technology, IIT Kanpur commemorated its 65th Foundation Day on November 2, 2024. Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. During the event, IIT Kanpur recognized the extraordinary contributions of its alumni, faculty, students, and staff in academia, industry, and society.In a significant move towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the institite hosted a special event on defence innovation. Rajnath Singh visited a Defence Research, Product, and Incubation Showcase organized by the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur. He interacted with the founders and research team and enourage them to contribute further in enhancing national security.Prof. Deepu Philip, Professor-in-Charge of SIIC, IIT Kanpur, highlighted that SIIC's startups are developing solutions that address national defence needs while establishing new standards in technology and research. The day also included key discussions on India’s latest defence initiatives, such as iDEX’s DISC 12 and Aditi 2.0, which provided attendees with valuable insights into the defence innovation landscape. IIT Kanpur also collaborated with BEML and HAL to strengthen incubation efforts. During the event, Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur highlighted the institute’s pioneering role in advancing knowledge, nurturing a culture of innovation, and empowering generations of changemakers. “In this Foundation Day celebration, we honor our legacy while looking toward a future of excellence. Today, we proudly recognize the achievements of our distinguished alumni, whose successes reflect the values of IIT Kanpur and inspire future generations to make a meaningful impact in society. The defence innovation event showcases the pioneering work of our startups at SIIC, and our commitment to driving technological innovation and supporting self-reliance in defence,” said Prof. Manindra Agrawal.Defence Minister said, “In today’s era of technology-driven transformation, India is on the verge of groundbreaking innovation, with institutions like IIT Kanpur driving us forward. As we envision a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047, I urge our youth to lead India’s journey towards technological self-reliance, especially in critical sectors such as defence. From ideation to production, IIT Kanpur’s role in nurturing new ideas and bringing them to fruition will be vital. Together, academia, industry, and the Government must ensure India secures its place among the world’s leaders in high-end technology."He further said, "Technology is essential in modern defence, with innovations like drones and cyber warfare reshaping combat. To achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta,’ we must reduce reliance on imports and prioritize cutting-edge domestic innovations. I am confident that the progress will continue, and defence exports will reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2029-30. India has dreamed of becoming a developed nation by 2047 on the strength of our youth, and we must put all our power into realizing that dream. As the proverb goes, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.’ Let us walk together to achieve our target and reach heights greater than we ever could alone.” IIT Kanpur honours 18 alumniThe institite awarded 18 alumni for their impactful contributions and dedication. These included Distinguished Alumnus Awards, Distinguished Services Awards, Young Alumnus Awards, and Institute Fellow Awards. Each award reflected the institute’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and the values that IIT Kanpur has fostered over the decades.(Disclaimer- This press release has been provided by IIT Kanpur.)