By Keerthi Ramesh
In a landmark act of giving back, an Indian American couple has pledged a record-setting $4 million to the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani’s endowment fund to support student scholarships.
The donors, Chand P. Garg, a 1968 Mechanical Engineering graduate, and his wife, Manju Garg, said their gift reflects deep gratitude to the institution that helped shape Garg’s professional journey. Now based in the U.S., Garg is a seasoned entrepreneur in international trade.
The contribution, the largest ever made by an individual former student of the premier Indian technical institute, is expected to fund the education of 16 students every year with an emphasis on meritorious learners from financially challenged backgrounds, particularly female students.
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In a statement released by the institute, Garg described his education at Pilani as “the starting point” of his life and career, motivating the couple to extend similar opportunities to the next generation of students.
The generous gift has also pushed BITS Pilani’s endowment fund past the $34 million mark, advancing its goal of reaching a $100 million corpus that will fuel long-term strategic priorities at the university.
Established as part of BITS Pilani’s effort to fortify its academic and research ecosystem, the endowment fund aims to underwrite a range of institutional needs including scholarships, faculty development, research initiatives, and global academic engagement.
Vice-Chancellor V. Ramgopal Rao lauded the Gargs’ donation as a powerful example of alumni philanthropy and the “true BITSian spirit.”
He said the support will help ensure that talented students are not denied an education due to economic limitations and will strengthen the institute’s ongoing mission to combine excellence with access.
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Scholarship recipients will be selected based on merit and financial need, with a portion of the annual awards designated for female students. The focus on gender inclusivity aligns with broader institutional and societal efforts to reduce barriers to quality technical education for women and underrepresented groups.
BITS Pilani has actively engaged its global alumni network to build the endowment, drawing contributions from graduates around the world. This initiative, described as the first of its kind among non-government higher education institutions in India, is part of a larger strategic vision to enhance the institute’s global standing and academic competitiveness.
The Gargs’ contribution underscores a growing trend in Indian higher education philanthropy, where alumni partnerships are increasingly seen as vital to expanding access, supporting research, and fostering institutional sustainability.
As donors invest in the future of their alma mater, current and future students stand to benefit from expanded opportunities and resources that might otherwise be beyond reach.