Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has looked back on his student years at IIT Kharagpur, recalling the campus experiences that shaped his personal and professional journey as the institute marks its 75th anniversary.

In a video message shared by IIT Kharagpur, Pichai spoke about everyday moments from his time at the institute, including meals at Harry’s, the Illu festival, late-night study sessions in B308 and friendships with his wingmates. He also remembered professors who left a lasting impression on him.

Among his most personal memories was meeting his wife, Anjali, on the IIT Kharagpur campus. Pichai also recalled learning to program there and getting some of his earliest opportunities to use a computer. He said he used to carry floppy disks around the campus during those days.

Pichai said these experiences influenced the direction of his life and eventually put him on a path to Google. He also credited his education at IIT Kharagpur with shaping the way he thinks about making an impact through technology.

Looking beyond his own college years, Pichai said he expects IIT Kharagpur and its students to become increasingly important as technology enters a new phase. He pointed to artificial intelligence as a major part of that change.

According to Pichai, AI is likely to become increasingly relevant across different fields, including healthcare, farming, government, software development and entrepreneurship. He said the institute’s role could grow as the next wave of technology takes shape.

For Pichai, however, the anniversary message was also an opportunity to recognise the personal significance of his alma mater. From meeting Anjali to learning programming and forming friendships, he recalled IIT Kharagpur as a place that influenced both his life and his eventual career.

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First Published on September 6, 2026, 10:46:02 IST