Yesterday on 19 January 2025, I was presented a ‘Distinguished Alumni Award 2024’ by my Alma Mater ‘Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur India for ‘Excellence in Arts’.

This is an incredible honour bestowed upon me by this esteemed Institute in which I was fortunate to study Architecture for 5 glorious years of my life!

My sincere Thanks to the honourable Director PL Patel and all the other dignitaries from the institute.

A special Thankyou to the Professors of my beloved Architecture department for proposing me as the candidate for the award, the Head of the Department Prof. Sameer Deshkar who has lent his incredible support and help through this whole process.

And ofcourse the jury who had the tough task to shortlist and choose the final awardees out of hundred of candidates from decades of Alumnus.

However nothing of the above would have been possible without the time effort and dedication put together by the most wonderful team of the Alumni Association. You guys are the true stalwarts!

It was truly a homecoming ceremony for me in my dear city Nagpur that has given me so much- a degree that let me do where my passion beckoned me, a life partner and a wonderful family. This award means so much to me on so many levels.

Like my Father-in-Law said to me, ‘if you still have any doubts whether you are on the right path or not, this award is your answer’.

Congratulations to the rest of the Awardees who had travelled from every corner of the world to make this a grand and a successful event.

Sitting amongst them, some who were Scientists, Entrepreneurs, CEOs, High ranking National Civil Officers, Sports Campions, Social welfare contributors, Engineers with hundred patents under their name and so many worthy winners, I felt very small, humbled and yet very proud.

Irrespective of the diverse careers, paths and distinguished achievements that we all awardees have, one thing that remains common is that this is where it all started- in this very campus!

My heart feels so full and so complete with this recognition and I will definitely treasure this experience for years to come!