In a heartfelt gesture to their alma mater the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK), the Class of 1974 pledged Rs. 10.11 Crore for supporting various activities at the institute. The pledge comes as part of the Golden Jubilee Reunion of the batch held from 23-25 February 2024, with over 80 alumni in attendance along with their families.

This generous commitment highlights the alumni’s enduring dedication to support various research endeavors and initiatives benefiting students at IIT Kanpur, while the three-day celebratory event offered them the scope to reminisce, reconnect, and reaffirm their commitment to the institute's thrive for continued excellence.

Expressing gratitude for such a generous pledge made by the Class of 1974, Prof. S. Ganesh, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “IIT Kanpur takes great pride in its alumni, and time and again, our alumni have come together for supporting the growth of their alma mater through various means. This pledge by the Class of 1974 resonates with a collective vision for promoting excellence at the institute by contributing to the development of infrastructure, R&D Facilities, and academic activities. The pledge is to be constituted as ‘The Class of 1974 Batch Legacy Fund’ and will be utilized to enrich opportunities for students and faculty alike.”

Prof. Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources & Alumni, IIT Kanpur, said, “We are very grateful to the Class of 1974 for pledging Rs. 10.11 Cr. to the institute. This is a new benchmark set by this Class to support its Alma mater. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the batch coordinators, Dr. Anand Jagannathan, Prof. Uday Desai, Mr. Yogesh Khosla, Mr. Balkrishna Gupta, Mr. Ashutosh Garg, Mr. Shamik Mehta, Mr. Khagesh Maheshwari and Mr. Anup Kacker.”

Thanking his classmates for this endeavor and expressing his gratitude to his Alma mater, batch coordinator, Mr. Yogesh Khosla, said, “We, the proud alumni of the Class of 1974, are honored to unite and contribute to our cherished alma mater, IIT Kanpur. Our collective support reflects our deep pride in the institution and our shared vision for its continued success. I express heartfelt gratitude to each of my batch mates for their generous participation in this endeavor.”

The 50th Reunion of the Class of 1974 was a joyous occasion filled with fond memories, laughter, and reflection, leaving an indelible mark on the registers of IIT Kanpur's history. The ‘Class of 1974 Batch Legacy Fund’ is sure to propel learning among its fraternity. IIT Kanpur extends its profound gratitude to the Class of 1974 for their remarkable contribution and unwavering commitment. The institute looks forward to the continued collaboration and support of its esteemed alumni, as they collectively work towards shaping the future of education and innovation.