2008-05-14 14:51:48 - BITSians have always been known for their passion in whatever they do and the noble gesture by the BITS Alumni of 1975-80 batch goes to reiterate the same. This batch had their silver jubilee at Pilani in October 2005 and set a new record for the number of alumni who turned up for the same.

The alumni of this batch include a stellar constellation of Chairmen, Managing Directors, COOs, CEOs, CIOs, Scientists, Presidents and Vice Presidents, Techies, Entrepreneurs, Media Moghuls, Realtors as well as Consultants. Each one of them undoubtedly has been a leader in applying technology to improve lives across society.

Irrespective of whatever degree they did at Pilani, wherever they came from and whatever

their life journey had taken them to, there was one thing they all shared in common and that was passion for the alma mater. Each one of them agreed that their stay at Pilani had left an indelible mark on their lives.

Barun Baruah, one of the alums of this batch from Guwahati was to join others for the silver jubilee celebration in October 2005 but fate had some other design. Barun met with a road accident just before leaving for the silver jubilee reunion and succumbed to his injuries on October 7, 2005. His batch mates were shocked by the incident and pledged to do something which would keep alive the memory of their beloved batchmate. They formed a trust called the BITSAA Alumni Trust which among other activities, would try to address the needs of the Mess Workers of BITS Pilani and their families. To start with they decided to launch a group insurance scheme for the mess workers at BITS Pilani.

This mess workers group insurance was launched on Sunday, 20th August 2006 at BITS, Pilani. 20th August was chosen as it happens to be the birthday for their beloved classmate Barun Baruah.

This alumni batch decided to further their desire of giving shape to the programme 'Giving Back to BITS', by promoting Local Area community Development and bringing about a social transformation with special emphasis on the lesser privileged members of the society in and around the town of Pilani Rajasthan.

On May 12, 2008 two alumni from this batch Sunil Nanda and Gautam Mazumdar carried out extensive discussions with various officers of the Institute and drafted a Memorandum of Understanding between the Alumni Trust and BITS Staff Housing Kalyan Samiti, Pilani, Rajasthan. As per this MoU, he Alumni Trust has proposed to construct an appropriate facility to be used as a centre for LOCAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT on a tract of land offered for this purpose by the BITS Staff Housing Kalyan Samiti, Pilani. The Centre shall be constructed in such a manner that allows for future expansion and/or modification.

A coordination committee headed by the President of the BITS Staff Housing Kalyan Samiti (Director, BITS) as the Chairman and consisting of two Members nominated each from the BITS Staff Housing Kalyan Samiti and the Trust was also constituted to plan, coordinate and monitor the activities of the LOCAL AREA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE within the framework of the objectives and rules of both the parties.

The same day the MoU was signed by Sunil Nanda on behalf of the Alumni trust and Prof M K Kashiramka who is the Convenor for the BITS Staff Kalyan Samiti.

Alumni of BITS Pilani firmly believe that when a mission is taken up with passion, there are no dreams too large. This batch like the other batches have indeed enhanced the reputation and raised the profile of BITS Pilani both nationally and internationally through their successes, contributions and support.

About BITS Pilani: The Institute with motto ‘Knowledge is Power Supreme ‘which has set the industry university collaboration bench mark as well as having the reputation of pioneering the online examinations for admissions in India today through the path breaking BITSAT, offers degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa campuses and in the short future at Hyderabad campus apart from an array of work integrated learning programmes for HRD of a vast spectrum of Indian corporates. The alumni of the Institute are spread across the globe from Australia to America.