Disclaimer: Vox Populi, IIT Kanpur, is the exclusive owner of the information on this website. No part of this content may be duplicated, paraphrased, or interpreted in any other way without written consent from Vox Populi. If you want to reproduce any of the content on this page, please contact our chief editors directly or reach out to us by email at voxpopuli@iitk.ac.in.
In this 7th edition of As We Leave, Nitish Kumar Trivedi, a Y21 Chemical Engineering graduate, reflects on a journey shaped by friendship, creativity, and growth. Starting with Zoom calls during the online semester, he found his place in Fursat Mandli and the MnC Council, balancing performances, cultural responsibilities, academics, and placements. From rehearsals to events, and challenges to small wins, his time at IIT Kanpur was about much more than just academics.
Disclaimer:- The views presented below are the author’s own and are not in any manner representative of the views of Vox Populi as a body or IIT Kanpur in general. This is an informal account of the author’s experiences at IITK.
1) From Zoom Links to Real Links: How It All Began
College started with random WhatsApp groups, awkward intros, and glitchy Zoom calls. Divyansh—the one constant since Class 9—was there with me through it all. But being an extrovert, I was always eager to meet more people and build new bonds.
In the middle of all that online chaos, I met Anushka (another Indori), Ashutosh, and Prerna. Soon, I got to know a few folks from Chemical and we formed the legendary “CHE Chhota Group.” Prerna and Sneh became the virtual sisters, celebrating Rakshabandhan every year without fail. Ashutosh and Divyansh kept the group lively with their not-so-funny jokes, Zainab handled all the gossip updates, Shorya wore the “rotlu” tag proudly, and Saumya and Tanya turned the chat into an anime fan club. Then came Pranjal Singh—our offline addition and the go-to guy for any academic help.
As things moved ahead, I joined Techkriti as a junior executive alongside the MnP Panchayat—Anubhav (who still owes us a party), Chitresh, and Jai. That journey introduced me to more people who stayed till the end—Pranjal (my pseudo-roomie), Batra (my personal motivator), Pulkit (the Hall 2 alarm clock), Pratibha (who went from acquaintance to close friend), Atharv (the branch changer who did it all), and Jatin (the one and only OPC).
From those awkward online intros to friendships that carried me through college—this is where it all began.
2) Cultural journey in IITK
I began my journey in Fursat Mandli by participating in an online competition called “Curtain Calls.” Though I didn’t win, I had a lot of fun trying. Shortly after, I took part in the online freshers for both the Dramatics Club (performing a sketch) and Humour House (doing a stand-up)—my first and last attempt at stand-up, for reasons now obvious to me.
When the offline semester began, I got inspired watching the seniors perform the street play Koop Mandook and the stage play Baaki Itihaas. Their energy and passion were contagious, convincing me to continue with the club. When the forms for Dramatics Eve were out, I was among the first to sign up, full of enthusiasm. However, the first few days were tough—I wasn’t getting any roles and spent most of my time singing songs. I even thought about quitting, but then, almost magically, I was assigned two roles the very next day. Unfortunately, both got cut by the seniors at the last moment. Watching their performances, I realized I still had a long way to go.
We started preparing for Antaragni, and in between, we were also told that we will participate in Thomso as a pre-fest event. But just days before the mid-semester break, Antaragni was cancelled, leaving us devastated and unsure about Thomso. Thanks to the seniors’ encouragement, we pushed through and practiced relentlessly. Despite our efforts, the Thomso prelims didn’t go well, but the journey taught us resilience and unity.
Then came Inter IIT, where our refreshed team put in hard work and delivered a strong nukkad performance. Unfortunately, the journey from Kanpur to Madras took a toll on us—many including myself fell sick due to the long, uncomfortable sleeper journey. Despite that, we finished 5th in street play, a respectable achievement given the circumstances.
Back home, our results improved steadily. We secured 2nd place in Antaragni for both street and stage plays. Soon I, along with Aryan (Dabur), Prajapati, and Narottam, won the Dramatics Cup for Hall 2 in Galaxy—a proud moment for all of us.
Shortly after, I became coordinator along with Sushmit (Flow), Gurudutt, and Bhawin (Play). Now Bothra (Flow), Eesh (charra expert), AVJ (Playboi), Narottam (idea expert), Prajapati (nagada chipku), Dabur (my writing partner), and Divyansh (pata nahi kab gayab ho jaata hai) formed the core team who stood by us through all the ups and downs.
As our tenure progressed, Antaragni preparations began in full swing. Sushmit and Devabrata led the flow, while Aryan (Dabur) and I focused on writing songs. We rewrote our medley multiple times, facing setbacks and frustration. Our initial draft was rejected by the team, which was heartbreaking. But after 2-3 days of nonstop writing, even during classes, we finalized a new version that everyone accepted.
The club then celebrated a gold medal in stage play at Rendezvous—a proud milestone. Energised, we aimed to win gold in street play at Antaragni. Though prelims were shaky, we pushed hard and gave one of the best performances in recent years, finally clinching the gold—a thrilling, unforgettable moment.
Following that, we staged Copenhagen in collaboration with Prof. Manoj K. Harbola. This was a special occasion with many professors, including the Dean and Director, attending.
Next up was Inter IIT again. We were prepared and confident. Our street play earned appreciation from everyone who watched, but we settled for bronze, less than what we deserved. We were even disqualified in the stage play and didn’t secure any positions in mime or mono act, which was a total disappointment after such a good practice.
After a few months, I ran for the Institute Secretary of Performing Arts and was elected. This new role came with different responsibilities and a new team—Lakshay (Gensec), Ishan, and Divyansh. Despite many ups and downs, this tenure was the most successful in terms of medals won at the Inter IIT Cultural Meet.
Among our significant achievements were passing a resolution in the Senate and successfully passing the PCR of Galaxy after seven years. We also staged Breaking the Code, my only performed stage play, again in collaboration with Prof. Harbola.
My cultural journey at IIT Kanpur culminated with a performance at the Dance Extravaganza, closing a memorable chapter filled with friendship and memories.
3) Placement Saga
The summer of 2023 marked the beginning of my internship preparation. I initially tried coding but couldn’t find the motivation and soon drifted into binge-watching shows, completely neglecting my goals. As a result, I failed to secure an on-campus internship. Through a family connection, I landed an off-campus internship in core chemical engineering—but during that stint, I realized that core wasn’t for me.
Determined to pivot, I enrolled in a Data Science and Machine Learning course and restarted coding—this time with full commitment. I immersed myself in projects, sharpened my skills, and felt hopeful as placement season approached.
I submitted resumes and gave tests that went well. There was also a case involving a company that I can’t speak about, which added to the uncertainty. As shortlists rolled out in late November, I was hit hard—no shortlist on Day 1.1. On Day 1.2, I faced rejection in my first interview. My second chance that day went better: I cleared the GD and first round, but the final round didn’t go great. I was waitlisted and spent the next 5–6 hours in emotional turmoil.
Finally, the offer came—from Battery Smart. That moment felt like a breakthrough, not just professionally, but personally.
This journey taught me more than any course could—about focus, perseverance, and the value of true friendships. The support from my friends and juniors, who stood by me during the toughest moments, meant everything. In the end, it wasn’t just about getting placed—it was about rediscovering myself and rising after a fall.
4) F-mid:Final Year Wing, My Family Away From Home
My final year wing in Hall 1 holds a special place in my heart. It was where I found not just friends, but a close-knit family — the ones who shared every moment of fun, from placement test stress to carefree cricket matches. Though I’d known many since first year, it was in this last year that our bond truly deepened.
Rooms F-208 to F-224 were more than just spaces; they were hubs of laughter, late-night hangouts, and endless memories. I’ll never forget watching Dadda get playfully teased by the civil engineering gang — moments like those brought much-needed relief from the pressure around us.
The party room, F-222, was our go-to spot for unwinding and celebrating, always alive with energy and warmth. Meanwhile, F-210 and F-213 were the corners for serious talks, dreams, and support—places where we lifted each other up through every challenge.
Looking back, I’m grateful for that wing, those friends, and the unforgettable moments that became my true support system and family away from home.
5) Turning the Page
Looking back, IIT Kanpur was never just about academics or achievements, it was about the friendships that became family, the late nights full of laughter and struggles, and the countless moments that shaped who I am today. As this chapter closes, I’m not just saying goodbye to a place but carrying forward the lessons, memories, and bonds that will stay with me forever. The future is uncertain, but with this foundation, I’m excited to face whatever comes next, ready to learn, grow, and keep building the story ahead.
Written by: Nitish Kumar Trivedi
Edited by: Sneha Jain, Sanchit Arora
Designed by: Pragya Puri, Pankhuri Sachan
