At IIT Kharagpur, Sundar Pichai Met His Wife And Began His Path To Google

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India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai marked the 75th anniversary of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur by crediting the campus with launching his career and introducing him to his wife, Anjali.

In a video message released by the institution, Pichai reflected on his undergraduate years, noting that the campus provided his initial exposure to computing.

“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, carrying floppy disks around campus,” Pichai said. He added that those formative moments ultimately put him on a path to Google and to helping bring technology to as many people as possible.

Beyond academics and early tech experiences, Pichai reminisced about campus life, including meals at Harry’s, the Illu festival, late-night study sessions in room B308, and relationships built with wingmates and faculty members. He described his education at the institute as a “gift” that shaped his perspective on making an impact on the world.

Transitioning to current technological developments, Pichai emphasized the growing role of IIT Kharagpur in the next wave of technology. He said that more and more, India is creating innovations that can benefit the whole world and that the country’s new generation has a chance to reimagine what is possible for India.

Looking ahead over the next five years, Pichai said artificial intelligence will increasingly move away from laboratories and early adopters and into the hands of people across different professions, including healthcare workers, farmers, developers, government officials and entrepreneurs.

“We are building AI so that it can help all of us do our work at the next level and do it in a more fulfilling way,” Pichai stated. He pointed to students as an important part of this progress, mentioning his recent interaction with Gemini Student Ambassadors from across India at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.

In response to the address, IIT Kharagpur released a statement celebrating the milestone.

“As IIT Kharagpur celebrates 75 years of excellence, innovation and nation-building, we were honored to receive a special message from our distinguished alumnus Sundar Pichai,” the institute shared on social media.

The institute stated that Pichai’s message reflected “the enduring global impact of the IIT ecosystem and the power of education, innovation and technology to transform lives and shape the future.”