On July 14, 2025, a buzz filled Poornima Institute of Engineering & Technology (PIET) in Jaipur. It wasn’t just another day of classes; it was a special workshop designed to peek behind the curtain of the internet. Organized by the Advanced Internet Operations Research in India (AIORI) initiative, the goal was simple: help engineering students understand how the internet really works, why good “rules” are important, and how measuring its performance can build a super-strong digital future for India.The day began with Dr. Dinesh Goyal, PIET’s Director, explaining why this workshop was so vital. He said it’s not enough for students to just learn from books; they need to know about the internet’s “nuts and bolts” – its structure, its rules, and how we keep an eye on it. This knowledge, he stressed, is what will prepare them to build the reliable internet India needs as it grows digitally.Then, a big name in the internet world, Mr. Suresh Krishnan, joined us online. He shared how the internet’s “rules” (called standards) came to be and why global groups like IETF, and Indian ones like MeitY and NIXI, are so important. He showed us with simple examples how these rules make sure our data flows smoothly, our websites load fast, and everything stays secure. His message was clear: the internet is always changing, and bright young engineers are key to making it better.A truly exciting part of the day was led by Mr. Anand Raje, Chair of Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter (and a big part of the India Internet Foundation, IIFON). He explained AIORI’s big mission: to give India’s internet a continuous “health check.” Think of it like a doctor monitoring a patient – AIORI wants to measure things like how fast data travels (latency), if any data gets lost, and where slowdowns happen. This real-time information helps everyone, from government officials to internet providers, fix problems and make the internet faster and more reliable. And here’s the coolest part: “Raspberry Pi devices” Mr. Raje introduced these small, smart computers. These little gadgets will be given to Professors from colleges like PIET to act as “internet weather stations.” They’ll collect important data to help AIORI build India’s very first widespread internet measurement network. This means students get to be part of a real-world project to make India’s internet better for everyone! Next up, Mr. Anupam Agrawal, Chair of IIFON, got everyone excited about the “AIORI Ambassadors Program”. He talked about upcoming hackathons and other ways students & faculties can get involved – not just as learners, but as active contributors. He encouraged them to help with open-source projects, try out network measurements, and build communities. Students were buzzing with ideas on how they could join AIORI’s efforts. Later, experts from MeitY & NIXI shared how the government is working to improve India’s digital infrastructure. They provided a national perspective, explaining how internet measurement projects are vital for making India’s internet strong, secure, and ready for the future. It gave students a clear picture of how their studies connect directly to national goals. The workshop ended with a sense of excitement and achievement. Certificates were given out, and everyone thanked the speakers, volunteers, and PIET for making it such a success. The main takeaway? Understanding internet standards is key to India’s future. Knowing how networks work and why we need to measure them empowers students to become “digital builders.” As an Associate Partner, we,Internet Society – India Kolkata Chapter are incredibly proud to have supported this event. It perfectly shows our commitment to digital innovation and helping India grow. We love being part of a program that not only teaches but also inspires students to actively shape the digital future. In short, the AIORI workshop at PIET Jaipur was a huge success. It sparked curiosity, connected classroom learning to real-world internet challenges, and showed how working together can truly build a better internet for all of India. We’re excited to continue this journey with AIORI!
