Dr. Purushottam Kashinath Kelkar (1909-1990) is best remembered as the founding director of IIT Kanpur, established in 1959. Born in Karnataka, he graduated in Physics from the Royal Institute of Science, Mumbai in 1931 and later obtained his Diploma in Electrical Engineering in 1934 from IISC, Bangalore. Pursuing his passion for studies, Dr. Kelkar earned his doctorate from the University of Liverpool under the guidance of Dr. J.C. Prescott. His association with IITs began in 1956 when he was appointed as the Planning Officer of IIT Bombay and later became its Deputy Director. In 1959 December, Dr. Kelkar was appointed as the first Director of IIT Kanpur. His vision was to establish an institute incorporating engineering curriculum based on science, humanities and social sciences, with faculty engaged in teaching and research. Dr. Kelkar was instrumental in forming a collaborative program between IITK and a consortium of nine American universities called the Kanpur Indo-American Program (KIAP) that played an important role in the development of the Institute. He was appointed as the Director of IIT Bombay in 1970 where he brought in many key changes that led to the growth and expansion of the Institute. To honor his immense contribution in the field of technical education, the Government of India honored him with Padma Bhushan in 1969.

To honour Dr. Kelkar's enduring legacy and commitment to academic excellence, the Class of 1979 established the P. K. Kelkar Class of 1979 Research Fellowship for Outstanding Young Faculty.

Prof. Prakash Chandra Mondal

(May 2024- April 2027)

Prof. Prakash Chandra Mondal from the Department of Chemistry, IIT Kanpur, works in the areas of molecular electronics, solid-state device fabrication, surface chemistry, spin-dependent charge transfer, and advanced inorganic materials. He obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Delhi in 2013, after completing his M.Sc. from IIT Kharagpur and B.Sc. from Jadavpur University. He is a recipient of several prestigious fellowships, including the International Incoming Marie Curie Fellowship (European Union) and the Alberta Innovates Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Gratitude Video

Prof. Srinivas Dharavath

(May 2024- April 2027)

Prof. Srinivas Dharavath from the Department of Chemistry at IIT Kanpur, has research interests in organic chemistry, high-energy-density materials and energetic oxidizers, energetic cocrystals and ionic liquids, iodine-rich compounds, and medicinal chemistry. He obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Hyderabad and subsequently pursued postdoctoral research at the University of Idaho, USA, and McMaster University, Canada.

Gratitude Video