title: Honoring Sundar Pichai at IIT Kharagpur Director Chakraborty warmly welcomed Sundar Pichai, an eminent IIT Kharagpur alumnus and the renowned CEO of Google, to the campus. The audience was eager to learn from and emulate Mr. Pichai’s journey, seeking inspiration from his achievements. The Google team initially planned to welcome Mr. Pichai with drums but opted for a more personalized and meaningful KGP-style welcome.
Celebrating IIT KGP’s Influence on Sundar Pichai: The director highlighted Mr. Pichai’s remarkable leadership of one of the world’s most talented teams, emphasizing their potential to change the world. The event aimed to provide a memorable experience for all attendees, ensuring that Mr. Pichai would be eager to return to the campus.
Acknowledging Sundar Pichai’s Distinguished Alumnus Award: In 2000, IIT Kharagpur honored Mr. Pichai with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements. Google recognized Mr. Pichai’s capabilities and appointed him as their CEO, further demonstrating his exceptional leadership skills.
Teasing a Future Collaboration: Director Chakraborty hinted at a potential future collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and Google, keeping the details confidential for the moment.
Welcoming Rajan Anandan: Rajan Anandan, the head of Google India and Southeast Asia, was invited to address the gathering before Mr. Pichai’s arrival. Director Chakraborty expressed gratitude to Mr. Anandan and his team for their cooperation and the arrangements made for the event.
00:17:24 Opportunities for Innovation in India's Growing Mobile Market
Introduction: Google’s Vice President (VP) and Country Manager for India and Southeast Asia, Rajan Anandan, expressed excitement and gratitude as he addressed the IIT Kharagpur (IIT KGP) audience. He emphasized the long-standing partnership between Google and the IITs, where many senior leaders and top-performing engineers at Google come from the IITs.
Sundar Pichai’s Legacy and IITs’ Impact: The VP acknowledged Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO and an alumnus of IIT KGP, for his leadership in transforming Android and Chrome into global open-source platforms. Anandan expressed hope that each student would have a similar impact on the world.
India’s Contributions to Open Source: Anandan recognized India’s significant contributions to open-source projects, with KGP students consistently being among the top contributors to Google’s Summer of Code program. He acknowledged IIT KGP’s PhD students and faculty for their world-class research in machine learning.
Opportunities in India for Innovation: The VP highlighted the stark difference between the past, when many had to leave India to pursue technological innovation, and the present, where India has emerged as a vibrant hub for technology and innovation. With over 350 million internet users, India offers vast opportunities in sectors such as financial services, healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Google’s Commitment to Developers and Entrepreneurs: Anandan emphasized Google’s commitment to supporting developers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by equipping them with the skills necessary to build successful new ventures. He mentioned the initiative to train 2 million mobile developers in India, partnering with various institutions to create accessible courses.
Building for India, Building for the World: Anandan stressed that when products are designed for the unique challenges of India, they can have a global impact. He cited examples of YouTube and Maps being taken offline, which enabled their use in countries with limited internet connectivity.
IITs’ Role in Shaping the Future: Acknowledging IITs’ contributions to developing the best minds, Anandan expressed admiration for Sundar Pichai and his leadership as Google’s CEO. He envisioned that in the future, one of the students present could be sitting in the same position.
Innovation for a Better Future: The VP encouraged the students to take advantage of the incredible opportunities that India presents, emphasizing the potential for innovation to positively impact both India and the world. He welcomed Hitesh Oberoi, InfoEdge’s CEO, as the moderator for the fireside chat and thanked the audience for their participation.
Sundar Pichai’s Emotional Homecoming: After 23 years, Sundar Pichai returned to IIT Kharagpur, where he spent four memorable years as a student. The campus held a special place in his heart, and he couldn’t help but feel nostalgic as he revisited his old hostel and the amphitheater.
Campus Rock Star: Pichai received a rock star welcome from over 3,500 students eagerly awaiting his address. His presence on campus demonstrated his deep connection to his alma mater.
Reflections on College Life: Pichai shared his humble beginnings, expressing that his initial goal was simply to have a good time during his college years. He acknowledged the hard work required to gain admission to IIT and expressed gratitude for the life-changing experience.
Rare Glimpse into the Past: He reminisced about his time at IIT Kharagpur through a series of photos showcasing his wingmates and favorite hangout spots. The images evoked memories of the camaraderie and shared experiences during his college days.
Mess Food and College Antics: Pichai recalled the unique dining experience at IIT, where students often joked about the indistinguishable nature of the food. He fondly remembered his college escapades, including bunking morning classes and engaging in lighthearted pranks like changing the center of gravity in fellow students’ rooms.
Inspiration for the Next Generation: Pichai’s down-to-earth demeanor and humble personality resonated with the students, who saw him as a role model and an inspiration. His journey from IIT Kharagpur to becoming the CEO of Google served as a testament to the transformative power of education and perseverance.
00:30:26 Technological Advancements Transforming India
Sundar Pichai’s Roommates’ Pranks: His roommates would rearrange his furniture and put sticks in his clothes, causing a significant shock upon returning to his room.
Addressing People at IIT: Coming from the South, Sundar Pichai was unfamiliar with the Hindi language. He mistakenly addressed someone as “Abe Saleh,” which caused temporary closure of the mess due to its disapproving reception.
Meeting his Wife, Anjali, at IIT: Anjali, Sundar Pichai’s wife, was his classmate at IIT. The only girls hostel then required a formal process to call someone, which involved a loud announcement of the person’s name.
Technological Advancements Since His Time at IIT: Sundar Pichai highlights the significant progress in India’s digital landscape, especially in mobile penetration with over 300 million smartphones. He contrasts the current access to technology with his experiences at IIT, where there were no phones, computers were scarce, and accessing them required booking time and using floppy disks. Despite the advancements, his dorm room in Nehru Hall appears to have remained unchanged from his time there.
00:33:43 Innovation and Challenges in the Indian Technology Industry
The Essence: Sundar Pichai’s visit to IIT Kharagpur was marked by a series of insightful discussions and reflections on his journey, innovation, AI, and the future of technology.
The Questions: Sheikh Mohammed Sameer asked about the moment Pichai felt he transitioned from an alumnus to a distinguished alumnus. Chiranjeev Singh Rathore inquired about Pichai’s memories of crazy things he did during his time at IIT Kharagpur.
Pichai’s Responses: Pichai emphasized that the decision to become a distinguished alumnus was not his to make, highlighting his focus on doing work he truly enjoys. He recalled his close friendships with wingmates and fondly remembered visiting the strip in Bangalore with his classmates.
Innovation at Google: Pichai spoke about Google’s ambitious approach to innovation, emphasizing the “10x” or “moonshot” mentality. He stressed the importance of working on projects that are relevant to billions of people and solve real problems. Pichai highlighted the use of deep computer science to achieve differentiated solutions and encouraged embracing failure as part of the innovation process.
AI and Machine Learning: Pichai discussed the recent advances in AI and machine learning, attributing them to increased computational power and access to better data. He highlighted the remarkable improvements in Google Translate as an example of deep learning’s breakthroughs. Pichai emphasized that the field is at an inflection point, and Google is investing heavily to bring the benefits of AI to as many users as possible.
Startups in India: Pichai praised the quality of startups in India, stating that they are as good as those in other parts of the world. He acknowledged the limited size of the Indian market as a challenge for startups to compete with MNCs. Pichai encouraged Indian companies to think globally and target similar markets like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand. He expressed optimism that big global software companies would emerge from India within a 5 to 10-year timeframe.
Advice for IIT Graduates: Pichai advised graduates to aim big and build for the international market from the start. He highlighted that building for the Indian market alone may limit their potential for global success. Pichai cited examples from Google of products initially designed for the Indian market but later found global relevance.
Educational Evolution and Passion: With India’s strong emphasis on education, Pichai highlights the need for education to adapt to changing times. He suggests shifting focus from solely academic pursuits to embracing well-roundedness, risk-taking, and pursuing passions. Emphasizing the disparity between Indian education and the US, where Stanford students choose their majors later, Pichai advocates for exploration and finding genuine interests.
Real-World Experience: Pichai stresses the significance of acquiring real-world experience. He recommends internships, project work, and hands-on learning to augment academic knowledge.
Risk-Taking and Creativity: Pichai encourages embracing failure, emphasizing that it’s acceptable to take risks and try various things to discover one’s true passions. He urges institutions to value creativity and experiential learning.
Experiential Learning: To create a more holistic educational experience, Pichai recommends that educational institutions prioritize experiential learning opportunities. This includes internships, project work, and other real-life experiences.
Conclusion: Sundar Pichai’s recommendations for India’s educational system focus on evolving traditional methods, promoting well-roundedness, empowering individuals to pursue their passions, and integrating real-world experiences to prepare students for a dynamic world.
00:44:13 Google CEO Sundar Pichai Addresses Students at IIT Kharagpur
Educational Background Does Not Guarantee Success: Sundar Pichai emphasizes that admission to prestigious institutions does not guarantee success, although it plays a significant role. He encourages individuals to remember that life is a long journey and it’s important to enjoy the process.
Key Leadership Qualities: Pichai describes his leadership style as one that involves empowering people at all levels of the organization. He believes in trusting individuals to make the right choices and focusing on removing barriers to enable their success. Teamwork and building collaborative cultures are essential aspects of his leadership approach.
Advancements in Machine Learning and AI: Pichai highlights machine learning and AI as the next big thing in R&D at Google. He mentions a project using machine learning to detect diabetic retinopathy, enabling early detection and treatment, potentially preventing blindness. Pichai expresses his excitement about bringing advancements in machine learning and AI to various fields, benefiting a wider range of people.
Google’s Role in India’s Digitization: Pichai emphasizes the importance of making Google products accessible in multiple languages to cater to the diverse population of India. He discusses the focus on developing affordable smartphones and improving connectivity, including projects like connecting railway stations with Wi-Fi and the Internet Saathi initiative. Addressing the gender gap in internet usage, Pichai mentions programs that aim to train rural Indian women in using the internet. He highlights the successful public-private partnerships Google has formed in India, such as the Digital India program and Aadhaar and UPI projects.
India’s Potential in the Digital Economy: Pichai expresses his conviction that India will become a global player in the digital economy, competing with any country worldwide. He recognizes the world-class caliber of Indian startups and entrepreneurs and their innovative approach to building products. While acknowledging that it may take time, Pichai believes India is on a good growth trajectory in this area.
Advice to Students: Pichai advises students to not limit themselves to just academics but to explore their interests and passions. He encourages them to be passionate about what they do and to stay curious and open to learning throughout their lives. Pichai emphasizes the importance of giving back to society, making a positive impact, and using their talents to help others.
00:54:02 Advice for Students and Graduates from Sundar Pichai
Motivational Message: Sundar Pichai encourages students to take their time learning and understanding concepts deeply, rather than focusing solely on grades. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and maintaining hope and dreams despite setbacks. Pichai believes that success is largely determined by personal effort rather than external factors.
Career Advice: Pichai highlights the success of Google employees from diverse backgrounds, including those from India and non-IIT institutions. He acknowledges that IITs are prestigious globally but emphasizes that there are multiple paths to success. Pichai notes the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem and the opportunities it presents for young entrepreneurs.
IIT Experience: Pichai recalls his time at IIT Kharagpur fondly, highlighting the cultural festivals and events that contribute to a well-rounded student experience.
Job Interview Experience: Pichai shares his unique interview experience at Google, where he was asked about Gmail before it was officially launched. He mentions that Larry Page had stopped interviewing candidates around that time, which contributed to Pichai’s successful interview.
Advice for Students: Pichai encourages students to pursue their passions, even if they differ from their chosen field of study. He acknowledges the feeling of insecurity that can arise when working with talented individuals. Pichai recommends striving to be in environments where people are slightly better than oneself to promote growth and learning.
Holistic Development: Pichai regrets not engaging more in humanities and soft skills development during his time at IIT. He believes that students should develop themselves holistically by pursuing activities outside their core technical studies.
01:05:05 Questions From Students to Google CEO Sundar Pichai
The value of extracurricular activities: Sundar Pichai believes that diverse activities and a well-rounded experience make a significant difference in one’s life. He considers writing to be an important skill and emphasizes the value of learning to write better.
Q&A with Sundar Pichai:
The conversation shifts to a rapid-fire Q&A session: Free time: Sundar enjoys spending time with his family, watching cricket and soccer, and connecting with friends and family. He has two children ages 13 and 9. GPA at IIT: While he was initially embarrassed about his GPA in his first year at IIT, he worked hard to make up for it in the following years. He encourages students not to lose hope even if their GPA starts low. Role models: Sundar admires people from various walks of life, especially those who have made a global impact, like Mr. Narayan Murthy, and sporting legends like Sachin Tendulkar. Favorite Bollywood actress: He names Deepika Padukone as his favorite actress, having had the chance to interview her and Shah Rukh Khan at Google. He also appreciates Prakash Padukone, Deepika’s father, for his achievements in badminton. Favorite IIT Kharagpur professor: He mentions two of his favorite professors: Professor Roy from his department and Professor Indranil Manna, who is now at IIT Kanpur. Keeping in touch with college friends: Sundar stays connected with his college friends through social media like Facebook and WhatsApp and had recently met some of them in Bangalore. Inspiration from cricket: While acknowledging Sunil Gavaskar as a past favorite cricketer, he currently admires Virat Kohli for his exceptional performance and consistency across all formats of the game. Cricket experience: Sundar shares that he was not skilled enough to make it to the IIT Kharagpur cricket team.
Closing remarks: The session concludes with a round of applause for Sundar Pichai and the other organizers of the event. The audience is thanked for their enthusiastic participation and patience during the session.
Abstract
Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai: A Journey from IIT Kharagpur to Global Leadership
Introduction: A Celebrated Return to Roots
Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s recent visit to IIT Kharagpur, where his journey began, signifies a full-circle moment, illustrating a remarkable trajectory from a student to a global tech leader. This return not only celebrated his achievements but also reinforced the deep connection between Google and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The visit highlighted potential future collaborations, acknowledged the significant contributions of IITians in the tech world, and showcased India’s burgeoning role in the digital era.
Greeting and Introduction
IIT Kharagpur warmly welcomed Sundar Pichai, an eminent alumnus and renowned Google CEO, to the campus. The audience eagerly awaited insights from his journey, seeking inspiration from his accomplishments. The Google team initially planned a drum-filled welcome, but opted for a personalized and meaningful KGP-style reception.
Celebrating IIT KGP’s Influence on Sundar Pichai
IIT Kharagpur’s director emphasized Mr. Pichai’s exceptional leadership, highlighting the potential of his talented team to transform the world. The event aimed to create a memorable experience, ensuring Mr. Pichai’s eagerness to return.
Embracing Roots and Nostalgia
Pichai’s nostalgic return to IIT Kharagpur after 23 years was marked by reminiscences of his student days – from mundane mess food experiences to the enduring friendships and traditions. He humorously recalled his initial struggles with Hindi, leading to a memorable incident at the mess, and his first meeting with his future wife, Anjali. These personal anecdotes not only humanized the CEO but also reflected the universal experiences of IIT students.
In his emotional homecoming after 23 years, Sundar Pichai fondly revisited his old hostel and the amphitheater, reflecting a deep attachment to the campus. He received a rock star welcome from over 3,500 students, underlining his strong connection to his alma mater. Pichai shared insights into his college life, emphasizing his initial goal to enjoy his time at IIT and his gratitude for the life-changing experience. He gave a rare glimpse into the past through photos of his wingmates and favorite hangout spots, evoking memories of camaraderie and shared experiences. His recollection of the unique dining experience at IIT and his college antics, including bunking morning classes and engaging in light-hearted pranks, added a humorous touch to his narrative.
From College to Global Leadership: The Growth of Sundar Pichai
Pichai’s journey from his college days to becoming a global leader is a testament to the power of perseverance, embracing failure, and aiming high. His belief in the potential of Indian startups, the transformative power of technology in education, and his vision for India’s role in the global digital economy illustrate a leader deeply invested in the future. Pichai’s leadership style, which emphasizes empowerment and collaboration, offers insights into the culture at Google and the tech industry. In 2000, IIT Kharagpur honored Mr. Pichai with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements. Google’s appointment of Mr. Pichai as their CEO further demonstrates his exceptional leadership skills.
India’s Digital Transformation and Google’s Role
Under Pichai’s leadership, Google has been instrumental in India’s digital journey. Initiatives like training two million mobile developers, tailoring products for India’s unique needs, and investing in public-private partnerships highlight Google’s commitment to India’s digital growth. Pichai’s focus on making technology accessible and relevant, from language diversity to affordable smartphones, is transforming the digital landscape in India.
Google’s VP and Country Manager for India and Southeast Asia, Rajan Anandan, addressed the audience, expressing excitement and gratitude. He emphasized the long-standing partnership between Google and the IITs, highlighting that many senior leaders and top-performing engineers at Google come from the IITs. Anandan recognized Sundar Pichai for his leadership in transforming Android and Chrome into global platforms and expressed hope that each student would impact the world similarly. He acknowledged India’s significant contributions to open-source projects, with KGP students being top contributors to Google’s Summer of Code program. Anandan highlighted the difference between the past, when many had to leave India for innovation, and the present, where India is a vibrant hub for technology and innovation. With over 350 million internet users, India offers vast opportunities in sectors like financial services, healthcare, education, and agriculture. Anandan stressed Google’s commitment to supporting developers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses by equipping them with necessary skills. He mentioned the initiative to train 2 million mobile developers in India, partnering with various institutions to create accessible courses. Anandan emphasized that products designed for India’s unique challenges can have a global impact, citing YouTube and Maps as examples. He acknowledged the IITs’ role in shaping the future, expressing admiration for Sundar Pichai and envisioning a student from the audience in a similar position in the future. The VP encouraged students to take advantage of the incredible opportunities in India, emphasizing innovation’s potential to impact both India and the world. He welcomed Hitesh Oberoi, InfoEdge’s CEO, as the moderator for the fireside chat and thanked the audience for their participation.
Life Lessons and Career Insights
Pichai’s advice to students extends beyond academic success. He stresses the importance of embracing failure, pursuing passions, and maintaining a long-term perspective. His views on the evolving Indian tech landscape, the significance of mathematics in tech disciplines, and the importance of soft skills offer valuable guidance for aspiring professionals. Director Chakraborty hinted at a potential future collaboration between IIT Kharagpur and Google. Rajan Anandan, the head of Google India and Southeast Asia, was invited to address the gathering before Mr. Pichai’s arrival. Director Chakraborty expressed gratitude to Mr. Anandan and his team for their cooperation and the arrangements made for the event.
A Life Beyond Numbers
Sundar Pichai’s visit to IIT Kharagpur goes beyond celebrating a distinguished alumnus; it is a story of inspiration, perseverance, and the transformative power of education and technology. His journey from a student at IIT to the CEO of Google encapsulates the potential of Indian talent on the global stage and the evolving narrative of India in the digital era. His insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for students, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike, emphasizing the importance of well-rounded development, continuous learning, and the courage to dream big.
Supplemental Updates: Incorporation into the Main Body of the Article
The supplemental updates have been incorporated into the relevant sections of the article to provide a comprehensive and cohesive narrative.
In his early life and experiences at IIT, Sundar Pichai endured playful pranks from his roommates, such as rearranging his furniture and inserting sticks in his clothes. Coming from the South, he initially struggled with Hindi, leading to a humorous incident in the mess hall. His relationship with Anjali, his wife and classmate at IIT, began in an era when contacting someone in the girls’ hostel involved a formal and public process. Pichai contrasts the technology landscape during his time at IIT, characterized by scarce computers and no phones, with the current scenario of over 300 million smartphones in India. Despite these changes, his dorm room in Nehru Hall remains as it was during his time there.
During his talk at IIT Kharagpur, titled “An Inspiring Journey,” Pichai addressed various topics. He discussed his transition from an alumnus to a distinguished alumnus, emphasizing his focus on enjoying his work rather than seeking accolades. Recalling his time at IIT, he shared anecdotes about his friendships and adventures, like visiting the strip in Bangalore with classmates. Pichai spoke about Google’s innovative approach, the “10x” or “moonshot” mentality, and the importance of working on projects relevant to billions. He also touched upon the advances in AI and machine learning, citing Google Translate as an example of deep learning breakthroughs. Pichai praised the quality of startups in India, advising them to think globally and acknowledging the challenges of competing with multinational corporations. He encouraged graduates to aim big and build for the international market from the start, citing Google’s experience with products designed for India finding global relevance.
Pichai’s recommendations for evolving the education system in India include shifting focus from purely academic pursuits to embracing well-roundedness and risk-taking. He suggests integrating internships, project work, and hands-on learning to complement academic knowledge. Emphasizing the value of embracing failure, Pichai urges institutions to value creativity and experiential learning, and to provide opportunities for real-world experience. He asserts that admission to prestigious institutions does not guarantee success, but it plays a significant role, and life is a long journey to be enjoyed.
Discussing his leadership qualities, Pichai describes his style as empowering, trusting individuals to make the right choices, and focusing on removing barriers to their success. He emphasizes teamwork and building collaborative cultures. On advancements in machine learning and AI, Pichai highlights their potential in various fields, like early detection of diabetic retinopathy. He underscores Google’s role in India’s digitization, emphasizing the importance of making products accessible in multiple languages and improving connectivity. Pichai is optimistic about India’s potential in the digital economy, recognizing the caliber of Indian startups and entrepreneurs.
Pichai’s advice to students includes exploring interests and passions, staying curious, and giving back to society. He encourages perseverance and maintaining hope despite setbacks. He notes the diversity of successful Google employees, including those from non-IIT institutions, and acknowledges the growth of the Indian startup ecosystem. Recalling his IIT experience, he highlights the value of cultural festivals and events for a well-rounded student experience. Sharing his unique job interview experience at Google, Pichai advises students to pursue their passions and to strive for environments that promote growth. He regrets not engaging more in humanities and soft skills development during his time at IIT and emphasizes the value of extracurricular activities, like writing.
The article concludes with a rapid-fire Q&A session with Sundar Pichai, covering his personal interests, role models, and inspiration from cricket. The session ends with applause and thanks to the audience for their participation.
Sundar Pichai's visit to Delhi showcased the growing influence of technology leaders in shaping aspirations and the need for India's education system to prioritize creativity, experimentation, and innovation. His interaction with Sadhguru emphasized the importance of staying relevant in the fast-paced tech landscape and the potential of virtual and augmented...
Google CEO Sundar Pichai is committed to advancing AI and ensuring responsible and ethical development, while also supporting journalism and addressing societal challenges. Pichai believes AI will revolutionize various industries and is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the tech industry....
Sundar Pichai's leadership has guided Google towards innovation, ethical AI development, and global accessibility, while emphasizing a culture of transparency and employee feedback. Pichai's commitment to sustainability and addressing societal issues reflects his vision of technology's transformative potential for progress and ethical responsibility....
Sundar Pichai sees technology's potential to solve global challenges, but emphasizes balanced innovation, responsible development, and inclusive access to ensure technology benefits all. He also advocates for global cooperation on AI regulations and ethical considerations in quantum computing....
Sundar Pichai envisions a responsible AI future for Google and a globally inclusive internet that empowers individuals and promotes social progress. He emphasizes ethical development and utilization of AI while addressing concerns like inequality, bias, and surveillance....
Google CEO Sundar Pichai addresses YouTube's Capitol riot response, emphasizing content moderation and AI advancements, while defending Google's practices amid antitrust scrutiny and advocating for the importance of Section 230 in online freedom of speech....
TU Berlin and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, emphasize the need for ethical and trustworthy AI development, balancing its potential with safety considerations. Google's focus on accurate information and collaboration with universities highlights its commitment to responsible AI advancement....