Rajnath Singh exhorts students at IIT Mandi to adopt the mindset of “Initiate, Innovate and Transform”

 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi on the occasion of its 16th Foundation Day recalled its journey of innovation and technological excellence. The Institute has distinguished itself by its outstanding work in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Drone Technology, AR-VR Technology, Quantum Science and Semiconductors/Chipsets. This institute of national importance has made significant contributions in the field of cutting-edge research and world-class technological education, giving meaning to its motto “Scaling the Heights”.
On this occasion, IIT Mandi took a historic step to enhance India’s defense and cyber security capabilities. The institute has developed a 16-channel quantum neuromorphic computer, designed for military-grade cyber security applications. This technology will help protect defense communications from cyber threats and espionage through quantum cryptography. This initiative is in line with the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and is a big step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The institute plans to develop a 64-channel quantum neuromorphic computer in the future.
Participation of eminent personalities in the ceremony
Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh attended the event as the Chief Guest. Former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Vice Chancellor of CSJM University Kanpur Prof. Vinay Kumar Pathak, Principal Advisor to Chief Minister Shri Gokul Butail, and CTO of Rovial Space (France) Dr. Amit Kumar Pandey were present as Guests of Honour on the occasion. Besides, MLA of Darang Assembly Constituency Shri Puran Chand Thakur also attended the event. Chairman of Board of Governors of IIT Mandi Lt. Gen (Retd.) Kanwaljit Singh Dhillon and Director of the Institute Prof. Laxmidhar Behera presided over the event.
Address by Defence Minister
In his address, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh said,
“Quantum computing is a great example of the changes taking place in technology. Earlier, supercomputers were the height of technology for us, but recently Google has launched a quantum chip called Willow. It has been claimed that this chip can complete those calculations in just five minutes, which would take the world’s most advanced supercomputer ten septillion years (more than the age of the entire universe). This shows how technological development takes our expectations and capabilities to new heights.”
he adds,
“To the students of IIT Mandi, I want to say that now India needs its own AI-based warfare strategies. We have to develop Indian Artificial Intelligence chips for the defence sector. Keeping cyber security in mind, we have to develop our own firewalls and security infrastructure.”
Appreciating the efforts of the Institute, Defence Minister said,
“Researchers at IIT Mandi are doing great work in areas such as robotics, drone technology and virtual reality. Given the vision of the director of the institute and the talent of the students, I am confident that IIT Mandi will make significant contributions to these emerging technologies.”
Statement by Chairman and Director, IIT Mandi
Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Mandi, Lieutenant General (Retired) Kanwaljit Singh Dhillon, while recalling the tradition of bravery of Himachal Pradesh, called upon the students to fulfill their responsibility towards the nation. He said that honesty, integrity and responsibility are the main principles of life and inspired them to always maintain the pride of the country.
Prof. Laxmidhar Behera, Director, IIT Mandi said,
“IIT Mandi has always pushed the boundaries of innovation, research and education. On this Foundation Day, I would like to thank Shri Gokul Butail, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister, who helped secure 125 acres of land for IIT Mandi’s satellite campus in Palampur. This is a significant step for the expansion and academic growth of the Institute. Despite the geographical challenges of the Mandi Hills, modern infrastructure worth ₹1,060 crore has been created with the assistance of the Central Government and other development works worth ₹660 crore are currently in progress.”
he adds,
“The time for quantum AI is now, and IIT Mandi is leading the way in this field. We are working on a 16-channel quantum AI computer and aim to complete it this year. Next, we are in the process of getting a grant from the Ministry of Information and Technology (MeitY) to build a 64-channel quantum AI computer. If approved, India’s largest quantum computer will be at IIT Mandi in two years.”
Announcing new initiatives
On this occasion, IIT Mandi’s Guidance and Counseling Services (GCS) was inaugurated, which will address issues related to mental health and well-being. Also, the institute’s Center for Continuing Education (CCE) has so far trained more than 7,000 participants and introduced more than 1,000 school students to IIT Mandi’s research laboratories.
Honors Ceremony
During the ceremony, a video showcasing the journey and achievements of the Institute was screened. Also, students, faculty, alumni and staff were felicitated for their outstanding achievements under the Foundation Day Awards. The awards included Young Faculty Fellow Award, Young Achiever Award (Faculty/Alumni), Students Academic Excellence Award, and Students Tech Award.
The 16th Foundation Day of IIT Mandi proved that the institute is poised to play a leading role in the technological and scientific progress of India.