CHENNAI: Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Chennai, honoured five distinguished alumni for their achievements and contributions across various fields at its annual alumni meet held on the campus on Wednesday.

Veteran Indian cricketer VVS Laxman, the chief guest, presented the awards and urged alumni to remain grateful to their teachers and educational institutions for shaping their careers and lives.

"There is no blood relationship between teachers and students, but the relationship is without any selfish motive or interest," Laxman said, describing the bond between faculty and students as "divine". He urged alumni to remember their professors' contributions whenever they returned to their alma mater.

Presiding over the event, VIT founder-chancellor G Viswanathan said India had made significant progress economically and in sports but needed to achieve greater success at international sporting events. Referring to a comparison of Commonwealth Games medal tallies, he said India's medal haul should be significantly higher given its population and potential.

VIT vice-president GV Selvam said alumni were an integral and enduring part of the institution's identity and described them as ambassadors carrying VIT's name and values across India and abroad.

Nikit Bassi received the Entrepreneurship Award, while Dr Saeesh Rajendra Mangaonkar won the Academic and Research Award. Dr Shantanu Mehta received the Corporate Career Award, Shikhar Kashyap the Young Achiever Award, and Polur MLA R Abishek the Social Development Award.

The meet brought together alumni from different batches and professional backgrounds, providing an opportunity to reconnect with the institution, faculty and fellow alumni.