The event took off with an introductory speech by Dr Ajit Ranade appreciating the achievements of IIT Bombay. Among the other speakers were Dr Anil Kakodkar, chairman of the board of governors, IIT-B, Infosys chief Nandan Nilekani and Prof. R K Shevgaonkar, deputy director of finance and external affairs and the co-chairman of the IITBAA.