Distinguished Alumnus Awards 2024 and 2025: IIT Roorkee Honors Global Achievements

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) celebrated its Foundation Day by recognising its outstanding alumni through the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Awards (DAA) 2024 and 2025. The ceremony, held in front of the institute’s iconic Main Building, provided a serene and inspiring backdrop for the occasion.
 
The Distinguished Alumnus Awards honour exceptional contributions made by alumni of IIT Roorkee (erstwhile University of Roorkee) across categories, such as Academic or Research Excellence, Engineering or Technology Innovation, Leadership in Government or Public Sector, Leadership in Private Sector, Entrepreneurial Excellence, and Service to Society. The Distinguished Young Alumnus Award (DYAA) further acknowledges the achievements of alumni under the age of 40.
 
In addition, the Outstanding Service Awards (OSA) were presented to recognise excellence in Augmenting Resources for IITR, Promoting Excellence in Academics & Research and Inculcating Entrepreneurial Spirit.
 
Nominations for these prestigious awards were invited from alumni worldwide, reflecting IIT Roorkee’s rich legacy and far-reaching impact across diverse fields.
 
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARDEES:

i.            ACADEMIC / RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (2024):

Prof. Krishna R Reddy (1985 - M.E. – Civil Engineering): Dr. Reddy is a University Scholar, Distinguished Researcher, and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). He is director at Sustainable Engineering Research Laboratory (SERL) and the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory (GAGEL). An IIT Roorkee alumnus and gold medallist, Dr. Reddy is internationally recognised for his work in sustainable geoenvironmental engineering, focusing on environmental remediation, waste management, and AI-driven sustainability solutions. His research, supported by major U.S. agencies, bridges fundamental science and practical applications for global sustainability.
 
Prof. Venkat Lakshmi (1987 - B.E. – Civil Engineering): Dr. Venkat Lakshmi, a Ph.D. graduate from Princeton University, is the John L. Newcomb Professor of Engineering at the University of Virginia. A former NASA research scientist, his expertise spans hydrology, satellite data analysis, and land-atmosphere interactions. A Fellow of ASCE and GSA, he has authored over 200 papers and mentored 25 graduate students. He serves as Editor for Vadose Zone Journal, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Remote Sensing in Earth System Science, and Vice Chair of NASA’s Earth Science Advisory Committee. He is also President-Elect of the AGU Hydrology Section.
 
ACADEMIC / RESEARCH EXCELLENCE (2025):

Prof. Ram B Gupta (1987 - B.E. – Chemical Engineering): Prof. Gupta is Associate Dean for Faculty Research Development at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he has boosted sponsored research by 300% since 2014. Formerly Director of the Energy for Sustainability Program at the NSF and Professor at Auburn University, he is recognised for advancing research in biofuels, renewable energy, and sustainability. A Fellow of the Alabama Academy of Science, Prof. Gupta has received numerous awards, including the Wright A. Gardner Award and the DuPont Science and Engineering Award. His work continues to foster innovation with lasting academic and societal impact.
 
Prof. Gaurav Sharma (1990 - B.E. – E&C Engineering): Prof. Sharma is a Professor at the University of Rochester, serving in the Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Biostatistics. A Distinguished Researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Data Science, he previously directed the Centre for Emerging and Innovative Sciences (CEIS). Before academia, he worked at Xerox Research and Technology as a Principal Scientist. An IIT Roorkee alumnus, he holds a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University and master’s degrees from NCSU and IISc Bangalore. His research spans image processing, data science, and computational imaging.
 
ii.            EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING / TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION (2024):
 
Dr. Vinod Kumar (1983 – B.E., 1985 – M.E. and 1991 – Ph.D. – Metallurgical Engineering): Dr. Vinod Kumar is Chief General Manager (Product) at SAIL’s R&D Centre for Iron & Steel, Ranchi. With over 30 years of industrial R&D experience, he has led the development of advanced steels for defence, energy, railways, and infrastructure sectors. His pioneering work includes earthquake- and corrosion-resistant rebars, fire-resistant steels, high boron steel for nuclear applications, and process technology for CRGO steel production—significantly reducing costs and import dependence while advancing India’s steel innovation.
 
EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING / TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION (2025):
 
Jai Prakash Srivastava (1985 - B.E. – Mechanical Engineering): Mr. Srivastava is Director (Engineering, Research & Development) at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). With nearly 37 years of experience across energy, industrial equipment, and infrastructure sectors, he has led transformative initiatives in technology innovation, product development, and capability building. His leadership in technology indigenisation and partnerships has strengthened BHEL’s role in advancing self-reliance for India in areas like defence, aerospace, and energy systems.
 
iii.            EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT / PUBLIC SECTOR (2024):
 
Pankaj Agarwal (1989 - B.E. – Civil Engineering): Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, is an IAS officer of the 1992 batch with over 29 years of administrative experience. An alumnus of IIT Roorkee, IIT Delhi, and the National University of Singapore, he has served in key roles across defence, infrastructure, industry, and public health. Formerly Additional Secretary & DG (Acquisition) in the Ministry of Defence, he now leads India’s power sector towards achieving 500 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030 and the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Net Zero by 2070.”
 
EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP IN THE GOVERNMENT / PUBLIC SECTOR (2025):
 
Dr. Anupma Prakash (1996 - Ph.D. – Earth Sciences): Dr. Anupma Prakash, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, joined UAF in 2002 and has held key academic and research leadership roles. An IIT Roorkee Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, she is a Professor of Geophysics known for her research in remote sensing, natural resource mapping, and underground coal mine fires. She has led major initiatives like the NSF-funded Alaska EPSCoR Program and contributed significantly to advancing research and education in Alaska.
 
Sushil Kumar (1989 - B.E. – Electrical Engineering): Mr. Sushil Kumar, Managing Director of U.P. Metro Rail Corporation, is an IIT Roorkee graduate with a post-graduation from IIT Delhi. With over 30 years of experience in Indian Railways, Delhi Metro, and metro infrastructure, he has led major projects in rail transportation, renewable energy, and urban infrastructure. Known for his leadership in rapid metro construction and system integration, he successfully oversaw the world’s fastest underground metro completion—Agra Metro’s 3 km section in just 23 months.
 
iv.            EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR (2024):
 
Dr. Rajeev Gautam (1986 – M.Sc. and 1990 – Ph.D. – Biotechnology): Dr. Rajeev Gautam is President of HORIBA India and a distinguished business leader known for his strategic vision and innovative leadership. With decades of experience across the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, he has held senior positions at Cadila Pharmaceuticals, Ranbaxy Laboratories, and Bremer Pharma. Renowned for driving technological advancement and market growth, Dr. Gautam continues to shape the industry through his dynamic leadership and commitment to excellence.
 
v.            ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE (2024):
 
Karthik Reddy (1994 - B.E. – Industrial Engineering): Reddy is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Blume Ventures, a leading early-stage venture capital firm with over $300 million in assets under management. An alumnus of IIT Roorkee, IIM Bangalore, and The Wharton School, he has led investments in Unacademy, Dunzo, GreyOrange, HealthifyMe, and others. With experience at American Express, Instinet, and the Times Group, Karthik brings deep expertise in finance, technology, and media to India’s startup ecosystem.
 
Rishi Das (1997 - B.E. – Electrical Engineering): Rishi Das is a seasoned industry leader and serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience spanning talent acquisition, HR management, and commercial real estate. He is the founder of CareerNet, HirePro, and IndiQube—ventures that have redefined their respective sectors. Since founding CareerNet in 1999, he has led it to become one of India’s largest recruitment firms, employing over 1,600 people and leading the market in Recruitment Process Outsourcing.
 
ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE (2025):
 
Amit Garg (2000 - B.E. – Mechanical Engineering): Amit Garg, Founder and CEO of HiLabs, has been recognised among Washington D.C.’s Top 25 Executives for 2025. Leading HiLabs’ mission to make complex healthcare data accurate and usable, he has grown the company to 200+ employees across the U.S. and India, raising over $41M and reaching a $150M+ valuation. His AI-driven innovations, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), are transforming healthcare operations, improving data quality, and advancing efficiency and patient outcomes.
 
 
DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNUS AWARDEES (DYAA) (2025):
 
Hrituraj Singh (2019 - B.Tech. – Electrical Engineering): Mr. Hrituraj is the Co-founder of Triomics, an AI-driven healthcare startup revolutionizing cancer care by helping doctors better understand patients through advanced data insights. The company has raised $15 million (₹125 crores) from top Silicon Valley investors, including Lightspeed, General Catalyst, Y Combinator, and Nexus Venture Partners, and is currently valued at $45 million (₹380 crores). With a team of around 70 professionals across the U.S., India, and Argentina, Triomics has partnered with global leaders like Pfizer and McKesson, generating over $6 million in revenue and creating high-impact jobs across technology, medicine, and research.
 
 
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD (OSA):

CATEGORY 1: AUGMENTING RESOURCES FOR IITR (2024):

Nitesh Saini (1997- B.E. – Metallurgical Engineering): Nitesh Saini (B.E. Metallurgical Engineering, 1997) has over 25 years of global industry experience and has been based in the Netherlands for nearly two decades. Passionate about strengthening the IIT community, he founded PanIIT Europe Alumni in 2023 to enhance IITs’ visibility and impact across Europe. His initiative aims to unite alumni, promote collaboration in technology, research, and entrepreneurship, and position IITs among the world’s leading institutions.
 
CATEGORY 1: AUGMENTING RESOURCES FOR IITR (2025):
 
Vipin Kumar Goswami (2001- B.E. – Chemical Engineering): Vipin Goswami, President of the IIT Roorkee Alumni Association of North America (IITRAANA), has been instrumental in uniting alumni across generations—from the 1960s to recent batches. Through his energetic leadership, IITRAANA has hosted numerous cultural, technical, and networking events, including conferences, panels, and family gatherings. A passionate performer himself, Vipin has fostered strong community spirit, personal connections, and active participation in PanIIT USA initiatives, making IIT Roorkee’s North American alumni network vibrant and engaged.
 
B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Roorkee, expressed his deepest gratitude, "I extend my deepest gratitude to our outstanding alumni. You have excelled across continents, industries, technologies, and disciplines. You embody the values and spirit of this 178-year-old institution, and you stand as role models for every student and alumnus of IIT Roorkee. Your achievements are not just personal milestones - they are national assets. As we honour you today, we celebrate your excellence, your leadership, and your continued service to society. My heartfelt congratulations to each awardee; your journeys inspire and uplift generations to come"
 
While congratulating the awardees Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said: “It is a proud moment for IIT Roorkee to recognise these distinguished individuals for their outstanding achievements and transformative contributions. These honours reflect not only their excellence but also the enduring values and academic strength of the institute. I congratulate all the awardees and look forward to their continued association in advancing the institute’s vision and contributing to a better society.”
 
Prof. R.D. Garg, Dean of Resources & Alumni Affairs, IIT Roorkee, said, "Our alumni are the true strength of IIT Roorkee, continuously enriching its legacy through their remarkable accomplishments and far-reaching influence. The Distinguished Alumnus and Outstanding Service Awards stand as recognition of their dedication and excellence. I extend my sincere gratitude to the awardees for their enduring contributions and steadfast support to the IIT Roorkee community, and congratulate them on this well-earned honour."