Campus Talk | From logo-branded pens and bags to wallets with engineering formulae, IIT Bombay’s rebooted souvenir shop offers great memorabilia

The shop features a diverse selection, from apparel and personal accessories to sportswear, stationery, gift boxes, electronic items, cabin trolley bags, and official items like tiny lapel pins made of metal, woven ties, formal shirts, and tailor-made blazers adorned with the IIT Bombay emblem. (Express Photo)

The shop features a diverse selection, from apparel and personal accessories to sportswear, stationery, gift boxes, electronic items, cabin trolley bags, and official items like tiny lapel pins made of metal, woven ties, formal shirts, and tailor-made blazers adorned with the IIT Bombay emblem. A special corner showcases products made by IIT Bombay students and alumni. In the near future, the souvenir shop plans to display books about IITians and those written by IITians who have made significant contributions to the world.

A spokesperson for the institute stated, “Our merchandise is most valued by students and provides them with an emotional link to the IIT Bombay community. However, unlike western college merchandise stores, the IIT Bombay Souvenir Shop also makes an effort towards nation-building ideas by procuring products that positively affect local artisans in different parts of the country. For instance, the jute products are produced in West Bengal, leather products are from Kanpur, items in mango wood and brass are from the interiors of Saharanpur, and terracotta products are from Pokhran, with khadi products sourced from the Magan (Mahatma Gandhi) Sangrahalay in Wardha.”

The merchandise is most valued by students and provides them with an emotional link to the IIT Bombay community. (Image: Express Photo)

Long before the merchandise movement in India, IIT Bombay set up a souvenir shop in the same building in January 2010. It was the first college merchandise shop in the country. It offered both offline and online sales channels, with global delivery. The refurbished souvenir shop aims to elevate the memorabilia experience.

“Most of the students and alumni come to the shop floor to ‘feel the vibe’ as the shop is perfectly located near a canteen and not far from the campus’ main road,” said the spokesperson. After nearly 100 days in offline mode, the shop’s online channel will be available from January 2025, allowing alumni and admirers of IIT Bombay from around the world to buy products.