Sundar Pichai’s heartfelt tribute to IIT Kharagpur.

Google CEO reflects on campus memories as Institute marks 75 years.

As IIT Kharagpur celebrates its 75th anniversary, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, shared a deeply personal message honouring his alma mater. In a video released by the institute, Pichai reflected on his student years, recalling friendships, academic experiences, and the life‑changing moments that shaped his journey.

Pichai described the campus as the place where he met his wife, Anjali, and where he first discovered programming. He fondly remembered carrying floppy disks across the grounds, late‑night study sessions in B308, meals at Harry’s, and the vibrant Illu festival. “Campus is where I met my wife, Anjali, where I first learned to program, and where I had my very first few opportunities to use a computer,” he said, emphasizing how these experiences set him on a path that eventually led to Google.

He credited IIT Kharagpur with giving him “a truly gifted education” and shaping the lens through which he strives to make an impact on the world. Pichai highlighted the institute’s global influence, noting that its graduates continue to drive innovation both in India and abroad.

Looking toward the future, Pichai outlined his vision for the next five years, predicting that artificial intelligence will move beyond research labs and early adopters to become a tool for everyday professionals. He envisioned AI empowering healthcare workers, government officials, farmers, developers, and entrepreneurs to perform their work at a higher level and in more fulfilling ways. “We are building AI so that it can help all of us do our work at the next level,” he explained.

Pichai also emphasized the role of universities in ensuring that AI remains accessible and beneficial to all. He expressed optimism about India’s growing contributions to global innovation, describing the new generation of Indians as ambitious and capable of reimagining what is possible for the country.

Concluding his message, Pichai credited students for driving much of the progress in AI. He recalled meeting Gemini Student Ambassadors at the AI Impact Summit in Delhi earlier this year, noting their enthusiasm for using technology to improve lives. “Their optimism is why I remain so confident about the future,” he said.

Through his reflections, Pichai underscored how IIT Kharagpur not only shaped his personal journey but also continues to play a pivotal role in advancing technology and innovation worldwide.