The Indian-American community of New England, in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in New York, honored Anantha P. Chandrakasan, Ph.D., on July 1, 2025, in New York City, following his historic appointment as Provost of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The felicitation dinner, hosted at The Treasury – Indian and Greek Kitchen, brought together a distinguished group of diplomats, academic leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and members of the Indian-American diaspora to celebrate a landmark achievement on Chandrakasan becoming the first Indian-American to serve as Provost in MIT’s esteemed history, FIA New England said in a statement.

Delivering the keynote address, Consul General of India in New York, Ambassador Binaya Pradhan, commended Chandrakasan’s pioneering career.

“We are immensely proud of Dr. Chandrakasan’s journey. His appointment as Provost not only reflects personal excellence but also the rising contributions of Indian Americans in global education and innovation. We look forward to deeper India-MIT collaborations in research, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies,” said Amb. Pradhan.

First Deputy Consul General of India in Boston, Shruti Purushottam, also attended the event. She extended her congratulations and underscored the Boston diplomatic community’s commitment to advancing academic and cultural partnerships.

Representing the organizing committee, President of the Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA), Abhishek Singh, spoke about the importance of Chandrakasan’s leadership for future generations.

“This is a moment of immense pride. Dr. Chandrakasan’s accomplishments will inspire countless young Indian-Americans to dream bigger and lead boldly,” Singh said.

Chandrakasan, a globally recognized expert in low-power electronics and academic leadership, currently serves as Dean of MIT’s School of Engineering. He has spearheaded several interdisciplinary initiatives in artificial intelligence, computing, and innovation. His elevation to the role of Provost positions him among the most influential academic leaders worldwide.

The evening featured heartfelt tributes from a distinguished roster of guests, including Sushil Tuli, Chairman of Leader Bank; Dilip Patel, Chairman of the Jamson Hotel Chain; Prashanth and Anuradha Palakurthi, music patrons and philanthropists; Sandeep Asija and Inder Kaul, community leaders and philanthropists; Brij Bhushan Garg, chip design researcher and Bell Labs veteran; Sanjay Gokhale, Vice President of the Foundation of Indian Americans (FIA); and Manju and Deepak Seth, podcast hosts and founders of Dev Patel Hospitality.

Several of Chandrakasan’s colleagues from MIT were also present, a testament to the high regard in which he is held within academic circles. Notable attendees included Prof. Iqbal Singh Dhaliwal; Prof. Sana Ayer, a historian specializing in South Asia; and Prof. Jenny Liu, Vice President of Development at Boston Children’s Hospital Trust.

In his remarks, Chandrakasan conveyed his deep appreciation for the honor. “I am deeply grateful for this honor. The support from this community has played an integral role in my journey. As Provost, I am committed to advancing excellence in research, innovation, and education. Together, we will shape a future defined by meaningful progress and global impact,” he said.

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