Dailymirror.news,December ,24th, 2024: Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT), one of Mumbai’s leading engineering institutions, hosted its Annual Alumni Reunion at the SP Jain Auditorium, Bhavan’s Campus, Andheri West. The event celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 1999 graduating batch, bringing together around 300 alumni, including distinguished leaders from the fields of technology and business.

A highlight of the reunion was the announcement of a $1M grant by Sameer Nigam, CEO and founder of PhonePe, and Rahul Chari, CTO and co-founder of PhonePe, both alumni of the 1999 batch. The grant is aimed at enhancing the institute’s infrastructure, promoting innovation, and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. The funds will empower students to develop innovative solutions and contribute to impactful ventures.

Nigam and Chari were also honored with the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award for their exceptional contributions to business and society. Under their leadership, PhonePe has transformed India’s digital payments landscape, providing a seamless platform that has driven financial inclusion for millions across the country.

Reflecting on his time at SPIT, Rahul Chari shared, “Being part of the first graduating batch of Computer Engineering holds a special place in my heart. It was here that Sameer and I embarked on our entrepreneurial journey, starting our first venture with an office on campus. The strong foundation laid at SPIT and the invaluable lessons from the faculty and peers have been instrumental in building PhonePe. I hope this grant encourages other alumni to contribute to SPIT’s growth and inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders.”

The reunion also featured the SP-Changemakers Awards, recognizing alumni for their outstanding achievements:

  • Outstanding Alumni Award: Saurabh Netravalkar, a cricketer-turned-software engineer, excelled in India’s U-19 cricket team before moving to the U.S. in 2015. He led the U.S. team to a historic victory over Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup while balancing his role at Oracle. His contributions have been crucial to the rise of U.S. cricket.
  • Innovation & Entrepreneurship Award: Vikrant Potnis, founder of FundEnable, was honored for his transformative work in India’s fundraising ecosystem. Potnis has trained over 2,000 startup founders and 500 angel investors through initiatives like VC Bootcamps and Angel School.
  • Leadership & Influence Award: Swagat Bhandari, an IAS officer with 14 years of experience, was recognized for her work as MD of Kerala Water Authority and District Collector of Kasaragod. She led projects worth ₹50,000 crore and played a key role in COVID-19 initiatives, with her leadership driving impactful reforms in water management, tribal welfare, and industrial policy.

The event served as a celebration of SPIT’s vibrant alumni community and fostered opportunities for collaboration and networking. It also honored the institute’s legacy in shaping leaders across industries.

Concluding the event, Dr. B.N. Chaudhari, Principal of SPIT, expressed his gratitude for the generous grant and the continued success of the alumni. “Sardar Patel Institute of Technology is committed to the mantra ‘Students First, Alumni Always,’ as we aim to become Maharashtra’s top engineering institute by 2030. We are deeply thankful to Sameer Nigam and Rahul Chari for their $1M contribution, which will significantly impact our growth and the success of our students.