IITians in Focus
Prof Pradipta Banerji New IIT Roorkee Director
Prof Pradipta Banerji (IITD1981) has recently stepped in as the new Director of IIT Roorkee. Before this, he was a professor of Structural Engineering at IIT Bombay. In his new capacity, he is focusing on attracting new faculty and working toward making IIT Roorkee the best in the country and the world. Prof Banerji obtained the Director’s Silver Medal as the top-ranked graduating s
Bhaskar Ramamurthi New Director of IITM
Bhaskar Ramamurthi (IITM 1980) has been appointed as the 10th Director of IIT Madras. The President of India in her capacity as the visitor of IIT Madras has approved the appointment. Prof Ramamurthi completed his B Tech in Electrical Engineering from IITM (1980). He did his MS (1982) and then his PhD three years later at the University of California in Santa Barbara, USA. He joined t
National Medal of Technology and Innovation for Two IIT Alumni
This year’s National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the highest honor bestowed by the US Government on scientists, engineers, and inventors, features two IIT alumni. President Obama has announced the names of five inventors as recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. The winners will formally receive their awards at a White House ceremony, later this year.
Dr Arogyaswami Paulraj receives IEEE Graham Bell Medal
Dr Arogyaswami Paulraj (IITD), emeritus professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, has been awarded the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Alexander Graham Bell Medal—the organization’s most prestigious honor. Dr Paulraj has been bestowed with this top technical award for his pioneering contributions to the application of multi-antenna technology to wirel
PK Bajpai appointed Director–Finance, BHEL
PK Bajpai (IITK) has been appointed as the Director-Finance on the Board of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). Prior to this, he was heading the company’s Financial Services division as Executive Director. After securing a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IITK, MBA from the University of Leeds, UK and AICWA from the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India, Bajpai
Pradeep Kumar is the new Central Vigilance Commissioner
Pradeep Kumar (IITD) has been selected as the new Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC). The selection was made by a high-power committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. After completing his degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi, Kumar joined the civil service. He has held a number of key positions both at the Centre and in Haryana. Prior to this appointment, Kumar had a long sti
Kalyan Banerjee New President of Rotary International
Kalyan Banerjee (IITKGP), a member of the Rotary Club of Vapi, Gujarat, India, since 1972, will now assume charge as President of Rotary International for the year 2011–12. Banerjee is the organization’s 101st president and the third from India. He has been involved with Rotary since 1972, when he joined the fledgling club in his hometown of Vapi. Around the same time, Banerjee wa
Harish Hande Wins Prestigious Magsaysay award
Harish Hande (IITK 1990) is one of the two Indians who won the Magsaysay Award, this year. Hande was recognized for bringing solar light to a country where half the households have no power. Harish Hande, 44, was recognized for “his passionate and pragmatic efforts to put solar power technology in the hands of the poor, through a social enterprise that brings customized, affordable, and sustaina
Sunil Parekh an Outstanding Achiever
Sunil Parekh (IIT D) and Founder and Chairman of the PanIIT India (Gujarat) Association is on the biennial list of outstanding achievers of Gujarat released by Divya Bhaskar. The Bhaskar Group–Divya Bhaskar released the “The 100 Power List” of—a list of contemporary achievers chosen by an eminent jury. The list was released on the occasion of Swarnim Gujarat—celebrating not
Pawan Dewangan gets INSA medal for Young Scientist 2011
Dr Pawan Dewangan (IITKGP) will soon be bestowed with INSA Medal for Young Scientist (2011). Dewangan is presently working as a scientist at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), a Goa-based premier ocean research institute. He will be felicitated with the medal, certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 at the annual meeting of INSA. Dewangan received a BSc in Geology and a