The United Kingdom-based, Jalandhar born entrepreneur Lord Swraj Paul has donated $5 million to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), for the Swraj Paul Theatre at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium. It’s the same place where he completed his mechanical engineering. A statement from Paul’s office said that MIT will receive the donation through the Paul family’s charitable trust, the Ambika Paul Foundation, in recognition of the university’s strong connection with the family. Akash and Angad, two son’s of Paul, also went to MIT.
Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, Kresge Auditorium is to be named after the 89-year-old Paul PC ’52 and Angad Paul ’92 Theatre as a recognition of his gift. The auditorium will also be known as the Swraj Paul Theatre.
Swraj Paul Theatre “The Lord Swraj Paul PC ’52 and Angad Paul ’92 Theatre” Photo Credit: Justin Knight Photography
The auditorium is architecturally significant as a leading example of a minimalist thin-shell concrete structure. Kresge Auditorium opened its doors in 1955 and played an important role in the journey of the MIT community. The last time it was renovated was in 2016 and it added performance facilities and practice space for MIT Music and Theatre Arts programs.
Kresge Auditorium Photo Credit: Madcoverboy at English Wikipedia
“I have always had a great respect for MIT as a world centre of technical excellence, and was delighted when my sons followed me there in the 1970s and 80s. MIT means a lot to our family, and I am honoured that we are able to support the continuation of its values and way of life through this iconic building,” Swraj Paul mentioned in a statement.
The India-born, British-based enterprise magnate and philanthropist, Paul, while speaking about the donation mentioned “I first got here to MIT from India in 1949 at a time when there have been only a few Indian college students in the USA, and the experience transformed my life. During the time I spent in MIT, I made a decision to expand my Caparo companies into the United States, and for more than 30 years, we have made substantial investments across the nation in our Bull Moose Tube and XL Trailers businesses.”
About the Ambika Paul Foundation
The Ambika Paul Foundation was established in 1978 in reminiscence of Paul’s daughter, Ambika, who died of leukaemia in 1968 aged 4. It was for her medical treatment that Paul first came to Britain in 1966. He remained in England after Ambika’s tragic death and went on to create Caparo, a diversified world affiliation of companies with interests predominantly in the design, manufacture, marketing, and distribution of value-added steel and area of interest engineering merchandise.
The foundation was established in 1978 and since then has been funded by donations from the Paul household and the Caparo companies. The foundation aims to inspire young people worldwide through education, culture, health and encourage them to learn about the world they live in.
