IIT Bombay Silver Jubilee Reunion (SJRU) – Class of 2000 (Millennium Batch)
26 Dec 2025 to 28 Dec 2025
Like others, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the SJRU, but my situation was a bit different.
I came from a non-BTech family, so I hardly knew anyone and was aware that there wouldn’t be many PGs attending. Secondly, I was visiting from the UK with my family to show the insti to my girls, but was aware that they would struggle to find company because of their age difference with other kids.
While both of the above were true, fortunately, it was simply unnecessary overthinking. I hardly knew anyone, but everyone was very welcoming, and there was no UG/PG barrier, which I wish I had known when I was here 25 years ago. My girls felt at home too and enjoyed being part of the SJRU, thanks to Pandit, Mani and Nigam, and Nigam’s family.
Had numerous chats on different topics just to open up and have general conversations. One thing was common and was great to know – none of them looked settled. Each one of us was still fighting against their life challenges to live their life ambitions. The definition of success and its levels were probably different, but none of them were satisfied and were striving for more. More importantly, everyone had pivoted over the years and was still ready to “change” themselves and/or the system to create a better place.
The ambition was not limited to themselves, but it was about how we, as a Millennium batch, can transform the new millennium. The fundraising of 50+ Cr was just an example that the change was not to be limited to the individuals, but it was about caring for the sum total. Thanks, Kashyap and Ranvir, for your speeches to enlighten this to the late bloomers.
One thing that came true of my presumptions was about the PG attendance. The question I had then and now was about the big chunk of our alma mater – the 60% PGs of IIT and how connected they feel with the insti. Unfortunately, they were disinterested in getting involved then and were more disinterested now, but why?
Quite a few of my batch mates are profs at various high-profile institutions and research institutions. With alumni presence there, the transformation we are thinking of can ignite other institutions as well. And with our kids getting into the universities and research work, how useful this network can be for the next generation.
Probably it’s a chicken and egg situation, the diversity is missing in the alumni committee with minimal PG representation, and the PGs had different experiences on the campus in those days and hence are disinterested.
Reflecting after attending the SJRU, is this an opportunity missed on both sides? How can we go back to the basics and resolve it in the “IITB way”, as Prof Kedare said in his speech? A point worth brainstorming.
During my MSc, I barely interacted with the EP junta, and only after meeting them this time did I realise what I missed, wish I could turn back time. I never interacted with “H10” in those days, catching up with Juthika, Rachna, Abha, Priya and others was quite insightful, and inspiring for the dad of two daughters.
Finally, after SJRU, I went to my native place and met college students in Surat, where I did my BSc. This was to tell the students about how important it is to be in the right ecosystem to achieve their goals, and why they should aim for the IITs, why it is better to feel unsettled than having low targets, and also to let them know that it’s never too late to join the premier institute! Hopefully, I have managed to ignite a few more.
Thank you! Would like to thank everyone who was there at the SJRU and made us realise that we are part of the whole.
Bhavin Shukla 
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