January 18th, 2025
IITKGP Alum Mukund Padmanabhan's Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) named "2024 Organization of the Year" by South Asian TimesIITKGP Alum
IITKGP Foundation
Guru Krupa Foundation has been named 'Organization of the Year' by The South Asian Times! This award is a testament to the tireless dedication and unwavering commitment of the GKF team and its invaluable partners. For nearly two decades, Guru Krupa has been driven by one mission: to improve the lives of the underprivileged. Under the guidance of Mukund Parmanabhan, visionary philanthropist and President of Guru Krupa Foundation, the Foundation's holistic investments address social welfare issues such as providing access to nutritious food & shelter; seek to fuel the next generation of thinkers by funding scholarships and fellowships at renowned institutions of higher learning ; address the non-materialistic aspects of life by supporting Indian cultural and spiritual programs; and environmental issues, particularly relating to clean water.
GKF was conceived and funded by Mukund Padmanabhan, a 1987 alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IITKGP), and moreover all its trustees are alumni of IIT KGP. The Foundation has made significant contributions to IIT KGP through IITKGPF USA. These donations have been a significant source of support for the Academy of Classical and Folk Arts (ACFA) at IITKGP. The ACFA initiative aims to integrate classical and folk arts into the institute's technical education, fostering a holistic learning environment. In 2019, GKF’s donation to ACFA, facilitated the creation of a music auditorium, and since then, GKF has been providing annual support for operational expenses of the Academy, including organizing folk arts workshops, and engaging teaching and research fellows.
IITKGP Academy of Classical and Folk Arts (ACFA)
Beyond ACFA, GKF has also supported international research internships for undergrad IIT KGP students and externships for visiting international students studying at IIT KGP. These scholarships enable students to pursue research opportunities at leading global institutions, enhancing their academic and professional development.
Asoke DeySarkar, President IITKGPF USA congratulated GKF and Mukund: “Mukund's visionary contributions have transformed the cultural and academic landscape of IIT Kharagpur, seamlessly integrating the arts into a premier technical institution. His efforts have empowered students to explore global opportunities and advanced research while celebrating India's rich cultural heritage.”
Read more about the award here. An extract about the GKF pullout in South Asian Times can be found here.