Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s IIT batchmate turned a well-known monk; what he advised Pichai after they met years later: “You cope with Google, which creates stress. I cope with…”

One went on to guide Google. The opposite selected a lifetime of spirituality. Each have been IIT graduates from the identical 12 months, however their careers took them in totally completely different instructions. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and ISKCON monk Gauranga Das have been a part of the 1993 IIT graduating batch. Pichai studied at IIT Kharagpur, whereas Das attended IIT Bombay. Years later, when the 2 met, a light-hearted alternate about their appearances become a memorable comparability between company life and spirituality.Throughout an tackle on the India World Discussion board (IGF) in London in June 2025, Das recalled Pichai telling him, “You look youthful than me.” “You cope with Google, which creates stress. I cope with God, who releases stress,” he replied to the Google CEO. The comment turned probably the most memorable a part of their reunion story.

Sundar Pichai: The IIT graduate who turned Google CEO

Sundar Pichai’s journey from IIT Kharagpur to the highest of Google is without doubt one of the most recognisable Indian-origin success tales within the expertise trade. Pichai accomplished his BTech at IIT Kharagpur in 1993. He later moved to the US for increased research, incomes a grasp’s diploma in supplies science and engineering from Stanford College and an MBA from the Wharton Faculty of the College of Pennsylvania.Pichai joined Google in 2004. He labored on merchandise together with Google Chrome and Chrome OS earlier than taking up wider management obligations. He turned CEO of Google in August 2015. In December 2019, he additionally turned CEO of Alphabet, Google’s mum or dad firm.

Gauranga Das: The IIT Bombay graduate who selected a non secular life

Gauranga Das, often known as Gauranga Prabhu, adopted a special route after graduating from IIT Bombay. In line with a TOI report, Das was a part of the identical IIT batch as Pichai, though the 2 studied at completely different campuses and branches. Whereas Pichai entered the expertise trade, Das ultimately left his company profession and pursued spirituality. He turned a monk and senior chief throughout the Worldwide Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).Das can also be an writer of books together with The Artwork of Resilience and The Artwork of Focus. His work has included non secular training, social initiatives and management programmes. His skilled life is centred on spirituality, educating and repair.

When Sundar Pichai met his IIT batchmate once more

The story of the 2 IIT alumni turned broadly mentioned after Gauranga Das spoke about their assembly on the India World Discussion board 2025 in London. Das recalled that he and Pichai had been in the identical IIT batch however had not interacted throughout school. They reportedly met years later, reportedly at Akash Ambani’s marriage ceremony in 2019. Das mentioned that Pichai remarked on his youthful look. “Years later, we met, and he mentioned, ‘You look youthful than me.’ I replied, ‘You cope with Google, which creates stress. I cope with God, who releases stress,’” he mentioned.The joke captured the distinction between their careers.

Two IIT alumni, two very completely different concepts of success

Pichai and Das share an educational connection, however their skilled journeys are very completely different. Pichai pursued expertise, labored his manner up at Google and have become the CEO of the corporate. Das selected spirituality, turned an ISKCON monk and constructed a public profession round educating, writing and social work. Their story will not be about one path being higher than the opposite. It’s about how two graduates from the identical IIT batch could make very completely different decisions about their lives.