'40 IIT selections': Zoho's Sridhar Vembu is super impressed with this small village in Bihar known as IIT factory
Zoho
's
Sridhar Vembu
draws attention to Bihar's youth talent, urging entrepreneurs to focus on the state's growing potential. His comment comes as
Patwa Toli
in Gaya district, known for sending over a dozen students to IITs every year, remains in national focus. This year, 40 aspirants from the village cleared the IIT entrance exam.
Village earns name as 'IIT factory'
Patwa Toli, a village in Bihar's Gaya district, has built a reputation over 25 years for producing a high number of IITians annually. Known once for its textile weaving, the village is now recognised across India for academic achievements. Almost every household has at least one engineering graduate.
First IIT admission sparked change
Jitendra Patwa's selection into the IITs in 1991 marked the beginning of the transformation. His success encouraged others in the village to aim for similar academic goals. Since then, generations have followed the same path, supported by a culture of shared aspiration and effort.
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Dubeshwar Prasad, President of Vriksh Veda Chain, credited the village's success to education-focused community initiatives. 'This story shows how much talent is there in Bihar. Aspiring entrepreneurs should take note – if you want to be seriously successful in 20 years, you will look at the youthful talent pool in Bihar,' said Sridhar Vembu, highlighting the potential of regions like Patwa Toli.
To ensure that economic barriers do not block access to education, the Vriksh Veda Chain has created a library model and offers free education through online classes taught by volunteer teachers from Delhi and Mumbai.
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Alumni return to guide next generation
Since 2013, alumni of Patwa Toli, many of them IIT graduates, have formed an organisation called 'Vriksha'. They provide free coaching to students preparing for the JEE Main exam. The initiative also supplies study material and arranges online classes by experienced educators.
Legacy rooted in education
While Patwa Toli was once known as the 'Manchester of Bihar' for its cloth weaving industry, it has now been given a new identity – the 'village of IITians'. The village's example shows how consistent community-led efforts and a focus on education can change the future of a region. The success continues this year, with 40 students from the village clearing the IIT entrance exam.
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