At the outset, I feel privileged to convey my good wishes and best regards to all Fellows, Young Associates and supporters of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) for a Happy New Year 2025. I wish to profusely thank the Academy for reposing faith in me to assume the position previously occupied by most eminent and illustrious leaders in the Engineering field and to steer the Academy in to a new era as INAE heralds in to a new paradigm of entering functional and financial autonomy.

As I take over the baton from Prof Indranil Manna, who ably led the Academy suddenly exposed to existential crisis in response to Government directives of cessation of funding to the Academy w.e.f April 1, 2025, and become an independent and self-funded, self-sustaining Academy. His unstinted belief in the imperative for the Academy to not only survive but thrive and grow in stature to serve India in her journey of Viksit Bharat ensued untiring efforts, enduing discomfiture, that have now borne fruits in the form of firm commitments and contributions from our esteemed Fellows, Corporate Houses, Engineering Institutions of eminence (as Institutional Members), and contributions of Engineering Professionals (as Individual Members) together crossing more than half the target of creating a INAE Corpus Fund of Rs 100 Crores. In addition, garnering support for the Academy’s operating expenses in the form of overheads accrued from implementing projects for Department of Science and Technology (DST) & Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), Govt. of India, have led INAE to be on the cusp of embracing a bright future ahead, in terms of functional and financial autonomy. As his co-pilots along with Prof Chakravorti and Prof Desai, I place on record the stellar contributions of Prof Indranil Manna, Immediate Past-President, INAE for spearheading this enormous task of ensuring that the Academy flourishes and continues to make a mark in the National and international engineering domains.

INAE, as the only engineering Academy of India, shall further endeavour to enhance its contributions in encouraging inventions & innovation, promoting engineering education and translational research in engineering, facilitating Academia-Industry interaction and undertake new initiatives with greater vigour, enthusiasm to serve India on her journey to be 3rd largest economy soon and become a technological superpower. In this journey of the Nation, it is imperative for the INAE to seize a position as the most effective and valuable think tank in the country to empower India realize the Vision of attaining self-reliance in engineering and technology.

I feel humbled to be in Prof Manna’s shoes to be at the helm of the affairs of the Academy at a time when a paradigm shift, and transformation is taking place in the activities and programs through the active guidance and support of our esteemed Governing Council, former Presidents and Office Bearers of INAE, distinguished Fellows and Foreign Fellows, Young Associates, Members and our partners from Industry, Institutions and well-wishers. It is with pleasure that I seek your renewed and valuable support and involvement in the realms of the Academy and participation in activities, schemes, events, programs and initiatives, both ongoing and forthcoming, including volunteering valued knowledge contributions to our Corporate Donors and Institutional Members, which INAE Office shall keep you posted from time to time.

My heartfelt wishes once again that the New Year 2025 heralds remarkable success and brings in laurels in your professional pursuits. I pray for good health and cheer for you and your families and hope that the Year 2025 surpasses all expectations in terms of blessings and accomplishments in all spheres of life.

With warm regards,

J.D. Patil