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IIT Kharagpur Foundation (USA)
In Memory of Ajay K. Suda:
A Life Engineered with Brilliance, Music, and Generosity
It is with deep sorrow that we remember Mr. Ajay K. Suda, who passed away on April 24, 2026. Ajay was a visionary naval architect, accomplished engineer, and a man whose warmth and generosity left an enduring imprint on all who knew him.
After obtaining his naval architecture degree from IIT Kharagpur (RP Hall), he went on to complete his masters degree at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
A globally respected figure in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Ajay played a pioneering role in shaping the field.
After graduating, he worked in Mazagon Docks, Mumbai and led a major project there. In the 1980s he moved to USA and after his Master’s degree, he helped establish the University of New Orleans’ naval architecture program, influencing generations of engineers. More than four decades ago, alongside his wife, he founded A. K. Suda, Inc., a firm that earned international recognition for its innovation and excellence. Among his many achievements, he designed the world’s four largest liftboats—extraordinary feats that stand as lasting symbols of his ingenuity and technical mastery.
Yet, Ajay’s legacy extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. A self-taught musician, he brought joy and vitality wherever he went, filling rooms with music, laughter, and his unmistakable presence. His wit and magnetic personality made him the heart of every gathering. To many, he was more than a friend—he was a mentor, a confidant, and a steady source of strength and guidance.
His generosity knew no bounds. Through his involvement with organizations such as the Exchange Club and Rotary Club, and through the foundation he established to provide scholarships for engineering students in India, he quietly transformed lives across the globe. Recently, Ajay and his wife Bulbul decided to give back to IITKGP by establishing an endowed scholarship for first year students in the memory of Jamshedjee and Savitri Itchaporia.
Ajay’s passing is an irreplaceable loss, but his spirit lives on in the lives he uplifted, the communities he strengthened, and the remarkable legacy he leaves behind.
He leaves behind his wife, Bulbul Suda; his daughters, Sonia Suda and Priya Suda; his son-in-law, Daniel Equeall; and his siblings, Arun Suda and Neena Pathak.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by the IITKGP community.
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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