Patna: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Patna, on Sunday honoured and felicitated its illustrious alumnus, Manas Bihari Verma, who has recently was been conferred the Padma Shri for his work in the field of science and engineering.

The Bihar College of Engineering (BCE)-NIT Patna felicitated Verma, the guest of honour, at its alumni meet on Sunday. Chief minister Nitish Kumar, also an alumnus of the institute and chief guest of the function, said: "It is proud moment for us that Verma who is product of the institute has been conferred with Padma Shri."

Verma, a close aide of former president APJ Abdul Kalam, had worked with Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for 35 years and was instrumental in manufacturing light combat aircraft (Tejas).

Nitish said: "I had a chance to meet Manas Bihari Verma on several occasions but I didn't know that he is from NIT-Patna. I feel more proud that Verma is a product of NIT."

Verma, who did his mechanical engineering from 1965, is the first person from NIT-Patna to receive a Padma Shri award. He said: "The Padma Shri award is surprising to me that the President selected me for such a prestigious award. I am happy that someone recognised my work."

Sharing his student days at the institute, Verma said: "When we were students, we used to learn from our professors, colleagues and even juniors. I have cultivated this culture during my engineering days and have carried forward the tradition even during my research work." Verma was also the chairman on the NIT board of governors from 2012-16.

NIT-Patna also felicitated passouts from the 1958 (diamond jubilee) batch, 1968 (golden jubilee) batch and 1983 (silver jubilee) batch. Apart from students and teachers from these batches, there were many alumni from other batches at the meet.

Santosh Kumar, who joined NIT-Patna in 1965 as a lecturer, said: "A lot of water has flown down the Ganga since we joined the institute. It was known as Bihar College of Engineering (BCE) then. Teachers and students were much disciplined. Students respected teachers and seniors."

Santosh added: "Especially after BCE was upgraded to NIT, there is a division of students on regional basis."

Ajay Kumar, another techie who had studied in NIT-Patna from 1988 to 1993, said: "I am coming here after many years. A lot of infrastructure development has taken place. When we were students, the library was not upgraded and students had to depend upon teachers' notes. The teachers were very qualified."

The institute also felicitated seven toppers from different branches from last year.