A Landmark Step in India’s Educational Journey
On the historic occasion of its 75th Foundation Day, IIT Kharagpur announced the creation of the Platinum Jubilee Endowment Fund. The Fund, formed by the alumni of the Institute, aims to raise ₹1500 crore over the next five years (2025–2030). Its resources will be directed towards two critical areas:
- Addressing socially relevant challenges for India
- Investing in futuristic technologies that will power Viksit Bharat@2047
This step by IIT Kharagpur alumni is not just about one institution. It offers a model for all of India’s educational ecosystem—a reminder that the responsibility for nurturing centres of learning does not rest with governments alone. It is a shared duty of alumni, industry, and society at large.
NEWS Link: Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur Platinum Jubilee Endowment Fund Announced
Kautilya’s Wisdom: Education Must Be Supported by Society:
Over two millennia ago, Kautilya, the author of the Arthaśāstra, laid down principles of governance and learning that remain strikingly relevant today. He wrote:
सामर्थ्यं शास्त्रस्य लोकोपकारार्थम ||
“Sāmarthyam śāstrasya lokopakārārtham”
The purpose of knowledge is the welfare of society.
Kautilya believed that विद्यास्थान (vidyāsthāna) – centres of learning should not depend only on rulers or the state. Instead, they should draw strength from the society they serve. When institutions are supported by alumni, community, and citizens, they become resilient, independent, and capable of pursuing bold visions. He also observed:
स्वयं समृद्धः स्यात्, ततः परान् पोषयेत ||
“Svayam samr̥ddhah syāt, tataḥ parān poṣayet”
First become prosperous yourself, then nurture others.
Those who have prospered through knowledge have a duty to nurture the very institutions that shaped them. The IIT Kharagpur fund is a living example of this timeless principle.
गुरुदक्षिणा (Guru-Dakṣiṇā): Gratitude in Action
In the Indian tradition, education was never a transaction. Students, after completing their learning, offered guru-dakṣiṇā—a gesture of gratitude to the teacher and the seat of learning. It was not about the size of the offering but about the spirit of responsibility.
The Platinum Jubilee Endowment Fund carries this essence forward. It is alumni saying: “What we are today is because of our Institute. This is our guru-dakṣiṇā.”
This idea should inspire every graduate of every institution across India. True gratitude is not expressed in words alone—it is expressed in giving back, so that future generations can benefit even more richly.
Leadership with a National Vision
Commenting on this initiative, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, remarked:
“This extraordinary initiative by our alumni is not only a testament to their deep-rooted commitment to their alma mater but also a beacon for shaping India’s future through innovation, inclusion, and impact. It will empower IIT Kharagpur to strengthen its role as a driver of national progress in alignment with Vikshit Bharat@2047.”
His words highlight a truth that extends far beyond IIT Kharagpur. When alumni and society invest in education, they are not just supporting a campus—they are investing in the nation’s future.
Tagore’s Dream: Knowledge Must Be Free
The Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore envisioned a free and awakened India in his immortal lines:
“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free …
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”
For India to truly awaken into that “heaven of freedom,” education and healthcare must not only be accessible and of high quality but must eventually become free for all. Knowledge cannot remain confined by financial walls. The responsibility for making this dream real lies with alumni, citizens, and society.
The Platinum Jubilee Endowment Fund is one step in this larger journey—a reminder that collective support can free education from the cycles of dependency and scarcity.
Beyond One Institute: A Call to Society at Large
The message of this fund extends beyond the boundaries of IIT Kharagpur. It is a call to all Indians—students, alumni, professionals, and citizens. Supporting education is not charity; it is nation-building.
Kautilya wrote:विद्या समृद्धाः सर्वे समृद्धाः ||
“Vidyā samr̥ddhāḥ sarve samr̥ddhāḥ”
When education prospers, society prospers.
For students, this means remembering that knowledge received is a gift, and one day they too must give back. For alumni everywhere, it is a reminder that guru-dakṣiṇā is not tied to one institution—it is a universal duty. And for society at large, it is a call to recognize that education and healthcare are the twin foundations on which a developed India will stand. As the ancient wisdom says:
अन्नदाता सुखी भव, विद्यादाता श्रेष्ठ भव ||
“Annadātā sukhi bhava, vidyādātā śreṣṭha bhava”
The one who provides food ensures survival; the one who provides education ensures greatness.
The time has come for every citizen to see themselves as a विद्यादाता (vidyādātā)—a supporter of education, a builder of institutions, and a participant in India’s collective awakening.
Conclusion
The Platinum Jubilee Endowment Fund is more than an alumni initiative. It is a message for the nation. The blends the wisdom of Kautilya, the spirit of guru-dakṣiṇā, and the dream of Tagore into a call for self-reliance in education.
It shows that when society invests in learning, when alumni give back, and when institutions are free to grow with stability, the result is not just academic excellence but national transformation.
As India looks towards Viksit Bharat@2047, let us remember education and healthcare must be universal, high in quality, and free. That is when Tagore’s dream will be realized, and India will truly awaken into her full potential.
