Dr. Sam Pitroda is an internationally respected telecom inventor, entrepreneur, development thinker, and policy maker who has spent 50 years in information and communications technology (ICT) and related global and national developments. During his tenure as Advisor to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Dr. Pitroda led six technology missions related to telecommunications, water, literacy, immunization, dairy production, and oil seeds. He was also the founder and first Chairman of India’s Telecom Commission. In these plural roles, Dr. Pitroda helped revolutionize India’s development philosophies and policies with a focus on access to technology as the key to social change.

During the interactive session, Mr. Manjunath Bhandary, Chairman, Bhandary Foundation introduced Dr. Pitroda to the students and staff. He said Sam’s journey of life is an inspiration to him. He also said that during the setting-up process of Sahyadri College of Engineering & Management, he had approached Dr. Sam Pitroda for advice and Sam was very clear that an institution should be 1 out of 100 and not 99 out of 100. Chairman proudly expressed the fact that Sahyadri is now contributing to the society and has reached the goal which Sam had initially set for Sahyadri. He mentioned of the achievements talking about how Sahyadri has grown over the years. He also acknowledged that Sam is the person behind the strategic implementation of out-of-the box initiatives undertaken by Sahyadri.

Dr. Sam while speaking to the audience expressed his delight to be at the campus. He was fascinated by the student-centric innovations at the campus and referred Sahyadri to the ‘Learning of tomorrow’.

Talking about education, Dr. Pitroda mentioned that the current education system needs to be changed. It is the next big challenge for the country. The world we live in is very obsolete. Information is been democratized. Everything is available yet we don’t know how to use it. To learn something, you just need motivation, time and content. If you have enough motivation and time, you can get surplus amount of content on the internet and you can learn whatever you want, he said. Dr. Pitroda concluded his speech asking the students to face the unknown, redefine yourself & be creative.