'Google creates stress, God releases it': IIT batchmate-turned monk on meeting Sundar Pichai

The anecdote quickly struck a chord with the audience and was widely shared on social media, accompanied by a throwback image of the monk with Sundar Pichai.

ISKCON monk and IIT Bombay alumnus Gauranga Das recounted a memorable exchange with Google CEO Sundar Pichai during his address at the final day of the India Global Forum 2025 held in London. Speaking to an audience at the Taj St. James’ Court, the spiritual leader shared a personal anecdote highlighting the contrast between a stress-free spiritual life and the pressures of the corporate world.

“I went to IIT in the same batch as Sundar Pichai,” said Gauranga Das, who studied at IIT Bombay, while Pichai, now CEO of Google, pursued his BTech in metallurgical engineering at IIT Kharagpur. Although they were in the same batch, their paths never crossed during college.

However, the two did eventually meet years later—reportedly during the wedding of Akash Ambani in 2019. Recalling the moment, Gauranga Das said: “Years later, we met, and he said, ‘You look younger than me.’ I replied, ‘You deal with Google, which creates stress. I deal with God, who releases stress.’”

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The remark drew smiles at the forum, where Gauranga Das also delivered a serious message about the growing mental health crisis driven by digital addiction. Citing alarming figures, he said: “We have a huge problem. Globally, 230 million are addicted to social media. In Bharat alone, 70 per cent of teenagers spend seven hours daily online. One in seven people around the world is suffering from mental health issues.”

Gauranga Das, also known as Gauranga Prabhu (born ASK Anand), is a senior monk and leader within the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). An author of books such as The Art of Resilience and The Art of Focus, he left a corporate job early in his career to pursue full-time spiritual and social work.

During his address in London, he highlighted the importance of spiritual discipline and inner balance, drawing from his own life as an example. He credited his youthful appearance and calm demeanour to a stress-free lifestyle rooted in service and devotion, in contrast with the relentless pressures often associated with high-powered corporate careers.

The anecdote quickly struck a chord with the audience and was widely shared on social media, accompanied by a throwback image of the monk with Sundar Pichai.