How Rai Singh Bindra ’25 M.E. ’25 Found His Lane: An Alumni Profile in Motion

From the moment Stevens alum Rai Singh Bindra ’25 M.E. ’25 learned to tie his shoes, he’s been moving toward something greater. His first race came at age 6 during the Sikh Games: a spirited celebration of family, culture and community. There, his love of running took root for him as an expression of both pride and purpose.

As he grew, so did his passion for the sport. Inspired by Milkha Singh, the legendary “Flying Sikh,” Bindra found more than speed in the story of one of India’s greatest athletes. “Milkha Singh wasn’t just fast,” he says. “He was fearless. He showed me that you could carry your culture with pride and still compete at the highest level.”

In high school in Bernardsville, New Jersey, Bindra began to test his own limits. With the support of coaches who saw his potential, he became part of two school records. And in doing so, proved to himself that focus and discipline could open doors well beyond the track.

Family shaped his path most significantly, he says. His older brother, Amar, was the first Sikh to compete in track at the NCAA level for Stevens. When Amar ran his final race at the New York Armory, he handed the baton — literally and symbolically — to his younger brother, by then a first-year student at Stevens.

“That moment changed everything,” Bindra recalls. “It wasn’t just about a race. It was about continuing a legacy, representing my family and community, and setting an example for those who’d follow.”

At Stevens, Bindra embraced that legacy. He became a student leader both on and off the track, wearing his turban with pride. “You don’t have to change who you are to succeed,” he advises current students.

Balancing a demanding course load with his athletics, he graduated first in his class with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, a master’s in space systems engineering and a graduate certificate in sustainable energy systems.

As president of the Sikh Student Association, he fostered community and cultural understanding. Through the NASA RockSat-C Program and Mechanical Engineering Student Advisory Council, he turned his technical skill into innovation — sometimes literally launching his ideas skyward. 

Bindra brought his characteristic enthusiasm to campus life beyond the classroom as well: he DJ'd university events, using music to connect students from every background.

“Music gave me a different kind of connection,” he says. “It was about bringing people together.” He even stepped into the suit of Attila, the Stevens mascot, spreading school spirit from the sidelines.

His leadership and scholarship earned him the Robbins Scholar-Athlete Award, the Gustav G. Freygang Award and the Eugene Fezandie Achievement Award,: honors that recognize his excellence and commitment to the Stevens community.

Yet, Bindra defines success differently. “It’s not about the trophies or awards,” he says. “It’s about showing the next generation what’s possible, and encouraging them to keep going, no matter the obstacles.”

His advice to future student-athletes? It’s simple: “Bas tu bhaag” — just run. For Bindra, the race matters more than the finish line.