It began as a quiet promise made across an ocean. In 1999, in the sun-drenched offices of San Francisco, a handful of alumnis looked back toward the hallowed halls of their alma mater, then Bengal Engineering College,Shibpur, and decided that distance would no longer be a barrier to devotion. What started as a modest gesture of nine scholarships has, after twenty-six years, transformed into a global heartbeat of philanthropy, proving that the bond of an "alumni" is not just a title, but a lifelong commitment to the success of those following in their footsteps.
With the formal birth of GAABESU in 2005, the spirit of the alumni shifted from nostalgic social gatherings to a structured mission of institutional upliftment. The program’s wings have only grown wider since:- 2008: The Alumni Fellowship for Excellence (AFE) was born, celebrating the “whole student”. The musicians, the athletes, and the leaders were chosen among the students.
- 2012: The Research Fellowship Award was introduced to fuel the fires of innovation and discovery.
This year’s cycle is a testament to progress. GAABESU is awarding 136 scholarships totaling approximately ₹35 lakhs. Most beautifully, over half of these recipients are young women, marking a historic stride toward gender representation and academic empowerment on the Shibpur campus.
The 2026 Award Distribution Ceremony, held on February 14 at the Alumni Seminar Hall, felt less like a formal event and more like a family reunion. While Dr. Anirban Gupta and distinguished alumnis from the 1957 to 2000 batches gathered in person, the digital screens glowed with the faces of alumni from North America, Qatar, Delhi, and Mumbai.
The funding, a blend of Indian fixed deposits and tax-efficient U.S. investments, showcases a masterclass in global coordination, turning favorable exchange rates into tangible dreams for students in West Bengal.
As the ceremony drew to a close, the air was thick with more than just academic pride. It was filled with a philosophy of life. Tanmoy Sabud (Batch of 1991) invoked the ancient wisdom of "Sanghat Chhatwam". Tthe sacred power of collective unity. He reminded everyone that GAABESU is not just a scholarship fund. It is a global safety net, a brotherhood that stands ready to catch any member, anywhere in the world, during their darkest hours.
In an emotional call to action, President Amitava Dutta and Secretary Prosenjit Chakraborty shared a simple yet profound request with the recipients. The debt you owe for this scholarship cannot be paid back to us. It can only be paid forward to the generations yet to come. As these 136 students step out into the world, they do so knowing they are never alone. They carry with them the legacy of those who came before, and the promise that one day, they too will reach back across the years to light the way for a stranger who calls Shibpur "the home."
