OBITUARY NEWS

Mr. Kripa Shanker

Prof. Kripa Shanker (MT/ME/1972), an esteemed alumnus and former faculty member of IIT Kanpur, passed away.
He made significant contributions to the Institute through his dedicated service as a faculty member in the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering (IME), Deputy Director of IIT Kanpur, and Secretary of the Alumni Association, IIT Kanpur. Beyond the Institute, he also served as Vice Chancellor of Uttar Pradesh Technical University (UPTU), Lucknow.
His contributions to IIT Kanpur, academia, and the professional community will always be remembered with deep respect.

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Mr. Ashok Kamal

Mr. Ashok Kamal (BT/ME/1973), an esteemed alumnus of IIT Kanpur and former President of Alumni Association, IIT Kanpur passed away. Mr. Kamal played a pivotal role in strengthening the Alumni Association through his leadership, integrity, and commitment.

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Prof. Vaidyeswaran Rajaraman

Prof. Vaidyeswaran Rajaraman, a distinguished faculty member at IIT Kanpur, passed away in Nov. 2025. Prof. Rajaraman will be remembered as one of the foremost architects of computer science education in India. He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1963 and played a key role in shaping the institute’s early computing curriculum. In 1965, with the encouragement of Prof. H. K. Kesavan and in collaboration with his colleagues, he introduced an M.Tech. programme with Computer Science as an option; marking the first time the subject was offered as an academic discipline in India. His vision and leadership laid the foundation for computer science education in the country. He was a recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Om Prakash Bhasin Award, Homi Bhabha Prize, and the Padma Bhushan, and inspired countless students and colleagues through his humility, clarity of thought, and passion for teaching. Read more..

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Mr. Rakesh Bhan

Mr. Rakesh Bhan (BT/ME/1976), a visionary leader and multifaceted achiever passed away in November 2025. Mr. Bhan earned his B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering and went on to pursue an MBA from the University of Maryland, USA. He joined the World Bank in Washington, D.C., in 1978, where he managed large-scale international projects across continents for over two decades. He also studied international law at Georgetown University, earned CPA and CFA certifications, and was a licensed pilot with a lifelong passion for flying. On returning to India in 1998, he joined the Indian National Congress and served as Adviser to the Government of Chhattisgarh (2000–2003) with the rank of Minister. He was instrumental in initiating The Private Universities Bill, a landmark move in India’s higher education landscape. He later served on the Board of Governors of IIT Kanpur and chaired the Governing Bodies of Motilal Nehru College and Sri Aurobindo College at Delhi University. Read more..

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Prof. Pushpak Bhattacharyya

Prof. Pushpak Bhattacharyya (MT/CSE/1986), a visionary in Artificial Intelligence and Natural Language Processing, and one of India’s most respected academic leaders passed away in October 2025. Prof. Bhattacharyya was serving as the Chairman of the Reserve Bank of India’s high-level committee to develop the framework for Responsible and Ethical AI (FREE-AI) in the financial sector. He was also a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Bombay and had earlier served as the Director of IIT Patna. A pioneering researcher in machine translation, semantics, and multilingual NLP, Prof. Bhattacharyya’s contributions—including the creation of IndoWordNet—transformed the landscape of language technology in India. Beyond his scholarly brilliance, he was deeply admired for his humility, mentorship, and dedication to nurturing young minds. His legacy of innovation, leadership, and compassion will continue to inspire generations to come.

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Mr. Kushal Sacheti

Mr. Kushal Sacheti (MT/CHE/1972), an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur, passed away on September 23, 2025. As Founder & CEO of Galaxy USA, Inc. and Key Items Inc., and Co-Founder of ventures including Illuminate Health and NP Bridge Solutions, Mr. Sacheti built a remarkable entrepreneurial journey spanning over five decades. Beyond business, he dedicated himself to mentoring and advancing educational, social, and artistic causes across the globe. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was honored with the Distinguished Services Award by IIT Kanpur in 2021 and named Institute Fellow by IIT Gandhinagar in 2023. His life exemplified leadership, generosity, and innovation. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs, changemakers, and students.

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Mr. Saurabh Chandra

Mr. Saurabh Chandra (BT/EE/1976), a highly respected officer of the Indian Administrative Service and a member of the 1978 IAS batch (Uttar Pradesh cadre) passed away on September 17, 2025. Mr. Chandra’s distinguished career in public service spanned nearly four decades. He held several key positions in the Government of India, including Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion. Under his leadership, significant reforms were introduced, such as diesel price deregulation and the PAHAL scheme—the world’s largest direct benefit transfer program, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. He was also a valued member of the Advisory Board of the Gangwal School of Medical Sciences and Technology at IIT Kanpur, contributing his vision and guidance to the institute. His vision, leadership, and dedicated public service will always be remembered with great respect. Read more..

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Dr. Om Vikas

Dr. Om Vikas (BT-MT-PhD/EE-CSE/1977), an alumnus of IIT Kanpur, passed away on July 17, 2025. With an academic journey rooted entirely at IIT Kanpur, Dr. Vikas held several pivotal roles, including Director/VC at ABV-IIITM Gwalior, Senior Director at the Ministry of Electronics & IT, and Counsellor (S&T) at the Indian Embassy in Tokyo. His contributions to Indian language computing, computer manpower development, and leadership in technical education have left an enduring legacy.The IIT Kanpur community deeply mourns his loss and honors his remarkable contributions.

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Shri Alok

Shri Alok (BT/ME/1988), a senior IAS officer of the 1993 batch from the Rajasthan cadre passed away on June 2nd 2025. He was widely respected for his integrity, vision, and impactful contributions to public administration. At the time of his passing, he was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department, Government of Rajasthan. His work touched countless lives and reflected his unwavering commitment to the service of the nation. The IITK alumni community stands united in this moment of grief, mourning the loss of a remarkable individual who will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.

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Prof. Indrajit Basak

Prof. Indrajit Basak passed away on April 21st, 2025, following severe injuries sustained while conducting an experiment in his lab. Prof. Basak leaves behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and inspiration. His contributions to the academic and research community were deeply valued, and his unwavering commitment to excellence touched the lives of many. He will be profoundly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

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Prof. Yudhbir

Prof. Yudhbir, a distinguished former faculty member of the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Kanpur, who served the institute from 1970 to 1996, passed away on March 17th, 2025. Prof. Yudhbir was a renowned expert in Geotechnical Engineering, remembered for his exemplary contributions to teaching, research, and national infrastructure projects. His mentorship and dedication left an enduring impact on generations of students and professionals.

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Prof. Kanwar Singh Nalwa

Prof. Kanwar Singh Nalwa, Associate Professor in the Department of Sustainable Energy Engineering, and an alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/MME/2007) passed away on June 12th 2024. Renowned for his pioneering educational efforts and excellence in research in battery technology, particularly in developing low-cost, high-performance sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries, he was an excellent young academician in sustainable energy solutions. His leadership in key projects related to solar energy and batteries made significant contributions to the field. He joined IIT Kanpur as a faculty in 2019. Prof. Nalwa was not only a brilliant researcher but also an inspiring teacher and dedicated mentor who left a lasting impact on his students and colleagues. Known for his wit, sense of humor, and warm personality, he touched the lives of many. Beyond academia, he was an enthusiastic traveler and an avid motorcyclist who embraced life with passion and joy.

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Mr. Anil Kejriwal

Mr. Anil Kejriwal, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/CHE/1974), passed away on August 15th 2024. Mr. Kejriwal was a visionary venture capitalist and serial entrepreneur. He launched his first start-up, Technocrats Paperchem, in 1975 in Jamshedpur, pioneering the manufacture of paper chemicals in India. In 1981, he founded Ramtech, which grew to become a leading global company in personal computers. Throughout his career, Mr. Kejriwal was a passionate advocate for technology and entrepreneurship. He actively mentored numerous start-ups across multiple IIT batches, significantly contributing to the growth of India's start-up ecosystem. His legacy as an innovator, mentor, and leader will be remembered with great respect by the IIT Kanpur community and the broader entrepreneurial landscape.

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Prof. Sangram Mudali

Prof. Sangram Mudali, Director of the National Institute of Science & Technology (NIST), Berhampur, and a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/ME/1985) passed away on August 2nd, 2024. A visionary educationist and philanthropist, Prof. Mudali dedicated his life to expanding technical education and uplifting marginalized communities in Odisha. After earning his B.Tech. from IIT Kanpur and an MS from the University of Houston, he worked with leading companies in the US and India before founding NIST, the first engineering college in South Odisha. Under his leadership, NIST became a top-ranked institution, and through initiatives like Diganta, he provided free education and boarding to hundreds of tribal children. Honored with the IIT Kanpur Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2017, Prof. Mudali's legacy of service, innovation, and compassion will continue to inspire generations.

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Prof. Arvind Mithal

Prof. Arvind Mithal, Charles W. and Jennifer C. Johnson Professor in Computer Science and Engineering at MIT and a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/EE/1969) passed away on June 17th, 2024, at the age of 77. Prof. Mithal was celebrated for his groundbreaking work in dataflow computing, formal verification, and the development of parallel programming languages. Elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he was also a fellow of the ACM and IEEE, and received the IEEE Harry H. Goode Memorial Award in 2012. Over nearly five decades at MIT, Prof. Mithal was a highly respected teacher, mentor, and leader whose enduring legacy will continue to influence the field of computer science for generations to come.

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Mr. Ranjit Shahani

Mr. Ranjit Shahani, Former Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Novartis India Ltd and a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/ME/1970) passed away on March 9th 2024 at the age of 74. Mr. Shahani's career spanned leadership roles at Imperial Chemical Industries, Roche Products, and JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals. He was President Emeritus of the Organization of Pharmaceuticals Producers of India (OPPI) and played a pivotal role during Novartis' landmark Glivec patent case. Renowned for his vision, integrity, and commitment to the healthcare industry, Mr. Shahani's legacy will continue to inspire generations of professionals.

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Prof. Sameer Khandekar

Prof. Sameer Khandekar, a distinguished faculty member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur, passed away on 22 December 2023, leaving the academic and research community in deep mourning. An alumnus of Government Engineering College Jabalpur (B.E., 1993), Prof. Khandekar began his career in the shipping industry before transitioning to academia. He earned his M.Tech from IIT Kanpur in 2000 and Ph.D. from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, in 2004. Since joining IIT Kanpur in 2004, he established himself as an internationally recognized expert in heat pipes, electronics cooling, and energy systems. Prof. Khandekar was a Fellow of INAE and the Institution of Engineers, and served on the editorial boards of several leading journals. Beyond research, he held numerous administrative roles at IIT Kanpur including Head of Department and Dean of Student Affairs. He was also the president of Shiksha Sopan, a social initiative for underprivileged children.

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Mr. Anil Bhandari

Mr. Anil Bhandari, Chairman of the Wheels Global Foundation Advisory Board, and an alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/ME/1969) passed away on April 22nd, 2023, in Miami, Florida. Renowned for his philanthropy, he instituted the Gopal Das Bhandari Memorial Distinguished Teacher Award at IIT Kanpur and played a pivotal role in constructing the Outreach Building on campus. Deeply involved in alumni activities and PanIIT outreach, Mr. Bhandari's dedication and generosity left a lasting impact on the IITK community and beyond.

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Dr. Rathin Datta

Dr. Rathin Datta, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Kanpur (BT/CHE/1970) passed away in Chicago, USA, on April 17th, 2023, at the age of 74. A renowned chemical engineer, Dr. Datta devoted over 40 years to developing and commercializing innovative process and product technologies, especially in the field of renewable resources for energy and chemicals. He was celebrated for his leadership in creating and guiding organizations toward sustainable solutions and commercialization. Dr. Datta's legacy as a visionary technologist and mentor will be remembered by the global scientific and IITK alumni communities.

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Mr. Pawan Kumar

Mr. Pawan Kumar, a distinguished alumni of IIT Kanpur (BT/CE/1969), passed away on February 6th 2023. A 1969 graduate in Civil Engineering, Mr. Kumar was a respected angel investor, mentor, and advisor. He was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to nurturing startups and young professionals. His legacy as a guiding force in the business and alumni community will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

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Prof. Meenakshi Narain

Prof. Meenakshi Narain, Professor of physics at Brown University and a distinguished alumna of IIT Kanpur (MSC2/PHY/1984) passed away on Jan 1st. 2023. She was a prominent high-energy experimentalist and was deeply involved with the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. She was instrumental in discovering the top quark, the heaviest fundamental particle in 1995, and co-authored/authored over 850 articles in leading physics journals.

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