Marking 50 years of his association with IIT-Bombay, Infosys co-founder and Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani donated ₹315 to his alma mater. According to a statement issued by him, the donation is to “fund world-class infrastructure, research in emerging areas of engineering and technology, and a deep tech startup ecosystem at IIT Bombay.”
Interestingly, with this, his total contribution to IIT-Bombay has gone up to ₹400 crore. This is anticipated to act as a cornerstone for IIT-Bombay’s ambitious goal of establishing itself as a premier global leader among engineering and technology institutes.
“IIT-Bombay has been a cornerstone in my life, shaping my formative years, and laying the foundation for my journey. This donation is more than just a financial contribution. It is a tribute to the place that has given me so much, and a commitment to the students who will shape our world tomorrow,” Nilekani added.
Appreciating Nilekani’s contribution to the institute, Subhasis Chaudhuri, director, IIT-Bombay, said, “This donation will significantly accelerate the growth of IIT-Bombay, and will firmly set it on a path of global leadership. IIT-Bombay is committed to building research and academic excellence that can make India a leader in scientific discovery, and its translation towards solving the pressing challenges facing humankind.”
It was in 1973 that Nandan Nilekani joined IIT Bombay for his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Five years later, he began his career at Patni Computer Systems, where he met Narayan Murthy. In 1981, they left Patni Computer Systems to start Infosys.