IIT Kharagpur Foundation (USA) NEWSLETTER
Volume: 1.18.2025
Dear Reader,
In this issue we celebrate the 2024 "Organization of the Year" award given by South Asian Times (USA) to IITKGP alum Mukund Padmanabhan's Guru Krupa Foundation. Additionally we bring you a short reprise of the great times at the Nehru Hall union held in late December 2024 and congratulate our DAA awardees who were recognized in IITKGP's December Commencement Ceremony.
IITKGP Ka Tempo High Hai.
Invest in Education, Invest in the Future
IITKGP Alum Mukund Padmanabhan's Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) named "2024 Organization of the Year" by South Asian Times
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.
Echoes of Nehru Hall :
The Grand Alumni Reunion 2024

NH Reunion Photo Collage (Click image)
The Nehru Hall Reunion (All batch) held on 24, 25, 26 Dec 2024 was attended by close to 60 alumni. In attendance were batches ranging from 1970-2013. The first ever such meet was a huge nostalgic moment for the NH Alumni.
It took over 1 year to curate the event. First night stay was at Kolkata on 24th Dec night where many got face to face after years and for many after decades. On 25th morning, two buses took participants to IIT Kharagpur. A rapturous, exciting evening on 25th enfolded for all the alumni at Nehru Hall. The event was graced by the IITKGP Director Prof. VK Tewari. There was also a live music band performance that evening.
The Nehru Ka Tempo renovation project was also showcased to all the alumni - its progress and hall renovation. Nehru Hall Authors also gave a copy of their books to Nehru Hall Library.
The event would not have been possible without the help of IITKGP Alumni office. Nehru Hall Alumni is thankful to Saikat Sarkar, Pawan Sachdeva, Joy Bhattacharya, Anjan Mitra, Krishnendu and Santanu Banerjee for putting the event together. This event has set a tone for the next one and many eagerly await the same.
Nehru Ka Tempo High Hai!
NH REUNION 2024 (BROCHURE)
(Photos & story provided by Pawan Sachdeva, pawansachdeva68@gmail.com)
2024 DAA (Distinguished Alumni Awards) Celebrated at IITKGP's 70th Commencement

At the 70th commencement ceremony on December 30th, IIT Kharagpur proudly celebrated the remarkable achievements of the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus Awardees (DAA). This prestigious honor recognizes the exceptional professional accomplishments of the awardees, who have made significant contributions across academia, industry, commerce, community, society, and IIT Kharagpur itself. As a pioneer in nation-building, IIT Kharagpur cherishes its enduring connection with its "Forever KGPians." The inspiring success stories of the 2024 DAA recipients not only motivate future generations but also serve as a testament to the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.
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The IITKGP Foundation is registered as a non-profit organization with the US Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions to the IITKGP Foundation are tax-deductible for only US taxpayers. Our US Federal Tax ID is: 47-0747227