IIT Roorkee Snippets
October, 2025
October, 2025
Dear Esteemed Alumni,
Greetings from IIT Roorkee!
We are delighted to share the Snippets for October 2025. This month, the IIT Roorkee campus was alive with energy and excitement as Thomso 2025, the institute’s flagship cultural festival, brought together students, alumni, and guests in a grand celebration of art and creativity. The event featured a vibrant mix of music, dance, drama, fashion, and student-led showcases, reflecting the dynamic and spirited culture of IIT Roorkee. The festival truly captured the essence of youth and innovation, making it a memorable highlight of the year.
May these updates strengthen your connection with IIT Roorkee and its growing legacy.
Best regards,
Prof. R.D. Garg
Dean of Resources & Alumni Affairs (DORA)
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
IIT Roorkee observed the 156th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the 121st Birth Anniversary of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, and the 19th World Non-Violence Day on 2nd October 2025 with a series of commemorative events. The program included floral tributes, soulful bhajans, recitations from the Holy Books, and an inspiring address by the Director. A book exhibition and a student drawing competition highlighted themes of peace, sustainability, and Gandhian philosophy. Through these initiatives, the Institute reaffirmed its enduring commitment to the ideals of truth, non-violence, and nation-building.
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IIT Roorkee has been conferred the “Clarivate India Research Excellence – Citation Award” in the Engineering and Technology category. Presented once every two to three years, these awards by Clarivate recognize institutions whose research demonstrates exceptional global impact, based on citation analysis from the Web of Science database. This national recognition highlights IIT Roorkee’s excellence in research and innovation, reflecting the collective efforts of its faculty, students, and staff. The achievement reinforces the Institute’s commitment to advancing high-quality, impactful research and motivates continued pursuit of global research excellence.
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Prof. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from the Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, received the prestigious Asian Polymer Association (APA) “Young Scientist Award 2025” for his outstanding contributions to sustainable and smart food packaging. The award was presented during the APA International Conference on Polymers for Advanced Technology held in Udaipur. This recognition underscores Prof. Gaikwad’s impactful research in advancing sustainable materials and reflects IIT Roorkee’s continued excellence and leadership in the field of polymer science and technology.
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IITR’s INNOPAP Lab, led by Prof. Vibhore K. Rastogi, in collaboration with Parason Machinery, has developed biodegradable, compostable, food-safe tableware from wheat straw, tackling plastic pollution and stubble burning while supporting farmers’ income. Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IITR, highlighted the project’s real-world impact in promoting circular economy practices and translating research into scalable, eco-conscious solutions that benefit both society and the environment. Ms. Jasmine Kaur and Dr. Rahul Ranjan, young researchers from the INNOPAP Lab, made significant contributions to the product’s development and process optimization. The project involves German partners from Dresden University of Technology and Bionatic GmbH & Co. KG, funded by the Indo-German Science & Technology Centre (IGSTC 2+2) under Waste to Wealth and Sustainable Packaging initiatives.
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IIT Roorkee’s 5G Use Case Lab has secured Rank 2 among all 5G Use Case Labs in India at the Workshop for Academicians of 5G Use Case Labs, organized by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and NCA-T during the India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025) in New Delhi. Represented by Prof. Ekant Sharma and Prof. Abhay Kumar Sah, IIT Roorkee was recognized for its leadership in 5G testbed development and indigenous innovation. Prof. Sharma also delivered a talk and participated in a panel on “India’s Path to 6G Networks,” reflecting the institute’s pivotal role in advancing next-generation communication technologies.
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IIT Roorkee received recognition from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in the Course Integration category on World Standards Day 2025 at NITS, Noida. The award, presented by Shri B.L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari (IAS), Director General, BIS, acknowledges IIT Roorkee’s initiative of integrating a 4-hour BIS exposure module in its compulsory “Tinkering & Mentoring” course for first-year students, benefiting over 1,350 learners annually. Under the leadership of Prof. K.K. Pant and the guidance of Prof. Deepak Khare, the Institute has also established 14 BIS Student Clubs to promote standards awareness.
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IIT Roorkee participated in “Shiksha Samvad Uttarakhand 2025,” a two-day Chintan Shivir organized by the Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttarakhand, in collaboration with Elets Technomedia, at The Hyatt Centric, Dehradun. Prof. Naveen Kumar Navani, Dean of Academic Affairs, represented the Institute and highlighted IITR’s initiatives in outcome-based evaluation and student-centric assessment reforms. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, appreciated the State Government’s efforts in implementing NEP 2020 and reaffirmed IIT Roorkee’s commitment to strengthening Uttarakhand’s higher education ecosystem.
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IIT Roorkee participated in the 20th Global Conference and Exhibition on “Higher Education in a Transforming World: Bridging Borders, Building Futures,” held from October 6–7, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Representing the institute, Prof. Meenakshi Rawat, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, served as a panellist in the session “Co-creating the Education Landscape with Industry Engagement.” She highlighted IIT Roorkee’s initiatives such as upskilling courses, flexible curricular, and industry-aligned programs, emphasizing how collaboration between academia and industry fosters innovation and leads to impactful research and Centres of Excellence.
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IIT Roorkee organized a Ganga Canal Cleaning Drive on 15 October 2025 under its Community Outreach (CORE) course, with over 300 students, faculty, staff, and NSS members participating. The event was inaugurated by Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director, IITR, as part of the institute’s efforts towards sustainability and civic responsibility. Aligned with the NEP 2020, the drive promoted experiential learning and environmental stewardship. Prof. K.K. Pant, Director; Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director; Prof. Naveen Kumar Navani, Dean of Academic Affairs; and Prof. Barjeev Tyagi, Dean of Student Welfare, appreciated the participants’ efforts. IIT Roorkee thanked the Irrigation Department for its valuable support.
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IIT Roorkee hosted an interactive session with Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, an esteemed alumnus (B.Tech. Civil - 1979) and Padma Shri awardee, renowned globally for his contributions to earthquake engineering. Currently a Professor at IIT Kanpur, Prof. Jain previously served as the Founding Director of IIT Gandhinagar and Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University. During the session, he shared insightful reflections on leadership, institution-building, and the future of engineering education in India. The inspiring interaction reinforced the institute’s commitment to academic excellence, and IIT Roorkee expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Jain for reconnecting with his Alma Mater.
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XIIth Scientific Assembly of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), held from October 5–10, 2025, the event hosted over 627 participants from 49 countries and 682 scientific contributions to advance global research in sustainable water management and climate resilience. The inaugural session featured Shri Anand Bardhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttarakhand, as Chief Guest, along with Prof. K.K. Pant, Prof. Salvatore Grimaldi, Dr. V.M. Tiwari, Prof. Sumit Sen, and Prof. Ankit Agarwal. Marking one of the largest IAHS gatherings, the Assembly fostered global collaboration through plenary discussions and workshops on hydrological innovation and climate adaptation.
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The Department of Design, IIT Roorkee, in collaboration with the International Centre for Frugal Innovation (ICFI), Netherlands, and the Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Frugality Studies (TRCFS), JNU, organized a three-day international workshop on “Heuristics in Frugal Innovation.” The event brought together experts and academicians from India, the Netherlands, Kenya, and Mexico to discuss new frameworks and global collaborations in frugal innovation. Distinguished speakers, including Prof. K.K. Pant, Prof. Peter Knorringa, Prof. Naveen Kumar Navani, Prof. Saradindu Bhaduri, and Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, emphasized the need for sustainable, inclusive, and transdisciplinary innovation for a Viksit Bharat.
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IIT Roorkee recently hosted the “Conclave for Leveraging Knowledge Institutions for Viksit Rajya” under NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission (SSM), bringing together senior officials, policymakers, and academic leaders from IITs, IIMs, and Central Universities. The event focused on collaborative frameworks to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047. Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, highlighted the crucial role of knowledge institutions in state-led development, while Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to co-creating sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based development models. As a Lead Knowledge Institution under SSM, IIT Roorkee continues to strengthen the knowledge–policy ecosystem for a Viksit Rajya, Viksit Bharat.
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IIT Roorkee, in association with MDS IndoCan, hosted the thought-leadership event “Ideas Matter Most,” celebrating innovation and nation-building under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The event featured insightful discussions on “AtmaNirbhar Bharat – A Roadmap Towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” with distinguished speakers including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Astronaut, ISRO), Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, and other eminent experts from academia, industry, and media. The event highlighted collaborative efforts toward a self-reliant and progressive India, reinforcing IIT Roorkee’s commitment to driving thought leadership, innovation, and societal advancement.
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IIT Roorkee hosted its grand cultural festival, Thomso 2025, celebrating creativity, talent, and vibrant student spirit. The event witnessed an overwhelming response from participants and visitors across the campus. Padma Shri awardee and renowned poet Sri Surender Sharma graced the inauguration and Kavi Sammelan, adding literary charm and humor to the celebrations. The musical evenings featured stellar performances by celebrated artists Shaan and the dynamic duo Salim–Sulaiman, who captivated audiences with their electrifying acts. With diverse cultural showcases and engaging activities, Thomso 2025 created an unforgettable festive experience for the IIT Roorkee community and attendees.
Mrs. Aakansha Sharma Kutumbale, an alumna of IIT Roorkee, scaled Europe’s highest peak, Mt. Elbrus, on 25th September 2025, braving temperatures below –25°C and strong winds. Hailing from Kota, Rajasthan, and now based in Indore, she became the first person from Indore and Kota, and among the very few from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, to achieve this feat. Aakansha’s passion for trekking began with the Himalayan Explorers Club at IIT Roorkee. She completed the Basic and Advanced Mountaineering and Skiing courses at the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Pahalgam, and now runs a structural design consultancy and the training firm AuxEn with her husband, Mr. Ashutosh Kutumbale, also an alumnus of IIT Roorkee.
Read MoreA delegation from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, led by Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, along with Prof. Vimal Chandra Srivastava, Dean of International Relations, and Prof. (Dr.) S. H. Upadhyay, Head of the Centre for Space Science & Technology, visited Sri Lanka to strengthen partnerships with leading universities and research institutes. The visit focused on promoting joint research, innovation-driven education, and faculty–student exchange programmes, reinforcing IIT Roorkee’s commitment to advancing global academic cooperation.
IIT Roorkee signed an MoU with Maithri Aquatech Pvt. Ltd., a pioneer in Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology, to foster research and innovation in sustainable water solutions. Coordinated by Prof. M.L. Kansal (WRDM), the collaboration aims to develop AI/ML-integrated models for safe drinking water, pilot projects, and technology transfer initiatives. The MoU was signed in the presence of Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, Prof. Vivek Malik, and representatives from Maithri Aquatech. Aligned with India’s National Water Mission and UN SDGs 6 and 13, this partnership reinforces IIT Roorkee’s commitment to sustainable and impactful research for societal advancement.
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IIT Roorkee and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University, Netherlands, have announced a global collaboration to promote inclusive and sustainable innovation. The MoU was signed by Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IITR, and Prof. Ruard Ganzevoort, Rector, ISS, represented by Prof. Peter Knorringa, with Prof. Cees Van Beers in the delegation. The partnership will focus on joint research and student exchanges, frugal innovation, community-centered engineering, and collaborations with government and civil society to create real-world impact. This initiative bridges technology and social sciences to develop solutions for grassroots empowerment and global challenges.
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IIT Roorkee Lucknow Chapter recently hosted a delightful get-together of the 1968 batch on 9th October 2025 in Lucknow. The reunion was filled with warmth, nostalgia, and cherished memories as alumni reconnected and reminisced about their days at Roorkee. The gathering reflected the enduring bond shared by the batch and their continued connection with their Alma Mater. Such reunions not only strengthen the IITR alumni network but also celebrate the lifelong friendships and shared legacy that began on the institute’s historic campus.
On 12th October 2025, the Thomasonian Club Ghaziabad, held its Diwali gathering, convened by the Secretary. Alumni and spouses embraced festive attire reflecting the joyous spirit of Diwali. The celebration featured a vibrant cultural program, including dances, songs, poems, and performances by members and spouses, compered by the Secretary. The event concluded with a delightful lunch, providing an excellent opportunity for alumni to reconnect, celebrate, and strengthen the enduring camaraderie nurtured by their Alma Mater.
The IIT Roorkee Alumni Association of Canada (IITRAAC) celebrated its Alumni Picnic on August 2nd, with around 40 families joining the festivities. The event was filled with fun games, a delicious potluck, and heartwarming moments as participants reminisced about their Roorkee days. Laughter, camaraderie, and nostalgia marked the day, creating cherished memories for everyone present. The picnic provided a wonderful opportunity for the IITRAAC community to connect, celebrate, and strengthen bonds across generations.
IIT Roorkee warmly hosted the Coral Jubilee Reunion of the 1990 batch, celebrating 35 years of camaraderie and cherished memories. Alumni, accompanied by their spouses, returned to their Alma Mater to reconnect with old friends, interact with faculty, and relive their campus days. The celebrations included engaging sessions, campus tours, and cultural programs, reflecting the deep bond between the institute and its alumni community. The reunion also highlighted the spirit of giving back, with discussions on strengthening alumni engagement and supporting IIT Roorkee’s continued growth and excellence.
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IIT Roorkee alumnus Sri Kunal Kaushal (B.Tech. Civil- 2003) has authored a simplified version of Śrīmat Bhagavad Gītā. In the Indian culture, Gītā is probably the most revered and discussed repository of philosophical content. However, few people read it in Sanskrit—the language of the original discussion. This book systematically removes the three hurdles that dissuade people from reading in Sanskrit. Now available on Amazon, this book is a must-read for anyone who would rather read Śrīmat Bhagavat Gītā in Sanskrit than its verbose interpretations in Hindi or English.
Read MoreProf. R. D. Garg, IIT Roorkee’s Dean of Resources and Alumni Affairs, along with Mr. Rajeev Kumar Singh (Metallurgy- 1992), Secretary IITRAA, held a series of strategic meetings with distinguished alumni leading major organizations:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our esteemed alumni for visiting IIT Roorkee. It is always a pleasure to warmly welcome you back to your Alma Mater!