BITS Pilani sets up KRITI Centre with USD 1 million donation from alumnus Raju Reddy

BITS Pilani has launched the KRITI Centre to foster rural innovation and social impact, backed by a $1 million donation from alumnus Raju Reddy and support from Phanindra Sama. The centre aims to develop scalable solutions to India's rural challenges

Hyderabad: BITS Pilani has announced the establishment of the Kakatiya Rural Innovation, Technology and Implementation (KRITI) Centre, a visionary initiative aimed at inspiring and enabling students and alumni to create meaningful social impact across India.

KRITI, which means “creation” or “work of significance” in Sanskrit, is a pioneering centre made possible by a generous endowment of $1 million from distinguished BITS Pilani alumnus Raju Reddy and his wife, Neerja Reddy.

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Phanindra Sama, former CEO and founder of redBus and a BITS alumnus, is also helping shape the vision and strategy for the centre. He and his wife, Sarika, will join Raju and Neerja as founding donors, according to a press release.

KRITI is poised to significantly expand BITS Pilani’s engagement in the social impact space, building upon the legacy of successful alumni-led initiatives such as Sattva, Nirmaan, Thinkerbell Labs, and Ashoka Changemakers. By harnessing the creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of BITS students and alumni, the centre aims to develop sustainable and scalable solutions to pressing rural and social challenges.

Raju Reddy, former Chairperson of BITSAA International, said, “For India to become an economic superpower, we believe that the districts of India have to become the engines of economic growth.”