Advocating for Social Progress

It’s no secret that educational institutions in India hold significant untapped potential to address pressing societal challenges by extending their role beyond classrooms and research. Colleges can and must intervene directly in challenges such as infrastructure development, healthcare gaps, climate change, and digital inequality. Universities have the unique advantage of the ability to link academic knowledge with real-world problems, fostering innovation through research, policy recommendations, and community outreach. Involving students in social development builds responsible citizens and industry-ready leaders with empathy and practical skills. Such proactive engagement ensures education becomes not just a path to

employment, but a driver of inclusive growth and national progress.

IIT-Kharagpur is at the forefront of this vision. One of the recent examples is its partnership with Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), to craft a comprehensive Riverbank Masterplan focused on revitalising the ghats and riverbanks along the Hooghly in Kolkata and Howrah. This partnership aims to enhance heritage conservation and improve urban aesthetics. One of the highlights of the project is the development of a world-class river cruise terminal, similar to those in Varanasi and Assam. The master plan also includes developing “Millennium Park 3” as a new riverfront tourism hub, the redevelopment of Armenian Ghat with a dedicated museum, and CSR-backed restoration of five to six heritage ghats across the stretch. Work is already underway, with a tender floated for a one-kilometre riverfront stretch at Jorabagan, along with plans to introduce dynamic lighting on the iconic Howrah Bridge. While wishing greatness on this new endeavor, we are also delighted to present our yearly special alumni issue based on the prestigious alumni of IIT-Kharagpur.