Event Details: IIT Bombay Gen Zero Women Initiative

IIT Bombay represents some of the best science and technology talent in India. The Institute has also been at the forefront of the gender equality movement and women empowerment in the country. It’s a matter of immense pride to IIT Bombay that thousands of women have graduated from the Institute since it was set up in 1958 and our next generation of women students will join a legacy of women alumnae and global icons such as Padma Shri awardees Dr. Rohini M. Godbole, Dr. Sharada Srinivasan, and more.

With their resilience and dedication, these women have truly set a powerful example for our current and future students at IIT Bombay. Their accomplishments have also helped many across the globe break the glass ceiling, especially in STEM.

To honour these exceptional women alumnae and their many stellar accomplishments, IIT Bombay, along with our alumnus, Mr. D.C. Agrawal, will host an event called the ‘IIT Bombay Gen Zero Women Initiative’ with the launch of a coffee-table book and a podcast highlighting their stories.

Date: September 23, 2022
Time: 3:00 P.M. onwards
Venue:Victor Menezes Convention Centre, IIT Bombay campus


Chief Guests

Diana Eduljee

Chief Guest

Diana Eduljee was the first captain of the National Women’s ODI cricket team, paved the way for women in sports, and has inspired so many in this field. In her stellar international career of 18 years, she led the Indian women’s cricket team in two World Cups (1978 and 1993) and captained India in four test matches. She is also the third-highest wicket-taker in the purest format of the game and holds the record for delivering the most number of balls by any woman cricketer in the history of women’s test cricket (5098+). In 1983, Ms. Eduljee received India's then greatest sports honour award, the Arjuna Award and in 2002, she received the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India. We are honoured that Ms. Eduljee will be the Chief Guest at the ‘IIT Bombay Gen Zero Women Initiative.’


Falguni Nayar

Chief Guest

As a veteran investment banker-turned-entrepreneur, Ms. Falguni Nayar broke the glass ceiling by founding the first Indian unicorn start-up led by a woman. With a stellar career spanning more than three decades, she was a management consultant at A.F. Ferguson & Co., managing director with Kotak Mahindra Capital, and then became the founder and CEO of Nykaa. Ms. Nayar took a bold step in 2012 when she bid adieu to a well-established career and founded Nykaa, months before her 50th birthday. Under her helm, Nykaa has curated over 2,000 brands and is home to 200,000 products across platforms. We are honoured that Ms. Nayar will be the Guest of Honour at the ‘IIT Bombay Gen Zero Women Initiative.’


Both these women have had meteoric rises in their respective careers. Their experiences and acumen in their chosen fields will enthuse the women alumnae being honoured at the initiative. Their insights on the occasion will not just reinforce the importance of women leaders across all walks of life, but they will also motivate the next generation of researchers, scientists, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and changemakers of our country to push forth and break the glass ceilings of their own.