26 January,2026 04:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The event was attended by students, faculty, staff and members of the campus community. Pic/Special Arrangement
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) celebrated the Republic Day 2026, with enthusiasm and pride on its campus in Mumbai, officials said on Monday.
The event was attended by students, faculty, staff and members of the campus community.
The celebrations began with the unfurling of the National Flag by the Director of IIT Bombay, Prof. Shireesh Kedare, at the Institute's Gymkhana Ground. Security staff of IIT Bombay and NCC cadets saluted the National Flag during the ceremony, they said.
Prof. Kedare addressed the gathering and extended his warm wishes to the IIT Bombay community on the occasion.
According to an official release, Raj Nair, Chairman of Avalon Consulting and a distinguished alumnus of IIT Bombay, was the Chief Guest for the function. He is an entrepreneur, AI enthusiast, investor and advisor, with wide experience across industries and countries.
Nair spoke about the values of democracy and citizenship, stating that the Republic survives through integrity, courage and compassion shown by citizens in their daily lives. He stressed that in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), teaching students how to think is more important than teaching them what to think.
In his address, Prof. Shireesh Kedare spoke about the true role of educational institutions. He said learning should go beyond classrooms and include shared experiences, responsibility and participation, the officials said.
He also congratulated former Deputy Director Prof. Juzer Vasi and IIT Bombay alumnus Shashi Shekhar Vempati on being conferred the Padma Shri award. Prof. Kedare felicitated Prof. Vasi with a shawl and a potted plant.
During the programme, certificates were awarded to winners of an essay writing competition organised during Vigilance Awareness Week 2025. Security officers, guards and NCC cadets were also felicitated for their service.
The celebrations featured cultural performances by students from Aman Day Care Centre, IIT Bombay Campus School, PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya IIT Mumbai, IIT Bombay and NSS.
A total of 360 students from Kendriya Vidyalaya and 358 students from Campus School participated in the cultural programme along with their teachers. Thirty IIT Bombay students sang patriotic songs, concluding the event with a full rendition of Vande Mataram.
More than 2,000 members of the IIT Bombay campus community attended the Republic Day celebration, making it a memorable and inspiring occasion.
