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In the 20th edition of As We Leave 2026, Vidit Parmar, a Y22 student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, reflects on his journey at IITK as it comes to an end, similar to the countless basketball games he played here. He looks back on what made this four-year-long game special.
He speaks about what filled his campus experiences: starting with the Y22 freshers’ inferno and his deep affection for Hall 12. He then reflects on the experiences he had with Humour House and the IITK basketball team. Throughout his recollections, he recounts all the people who made his campus experience invaluable and shares a few pieces of advice for his juniors.
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 IIT-K.
Coming to IITK in 2022, I was excited to start my journey as an IITian, still a bit disappointed that I was joining in MSE (the branch which I now realize was the best possible branch for me). Hall 13 is in my opinion, the greatest thing in IIT Kanpur. 900 people who’ve never met each other, have different economic and cultural backgrounds, put together in one building and forced to co-exist. One would think that this was a disaster waiting to happen, but they would be very wrong. This huge bunch of extremely different individuals somehow not just co-existed, but thrived, as if ingredients in a pan melting together to make a wonderful dish. The parties, GPLs, water fights, and endless baithaks are what make Hall 13 something much more than just a hostel. I can’t come up with a word for what Hall 13 truly was, so at this point I think I’ll use Hall 13 as an adjective and not a noun. Hall 13 was the most Hall 13 thing in this world, and I loved every second of it.
I think the people with me at IITK are like my family, even the ones I don’t like, they’re like the relatives you don’t get along with, but at the end, still family. Throughout this AWL, I’ll introduce my family to you (the ones I like), along with just a few of the memories we made, because God knows if I start writing about all my memories, I’ll pass away from old age before I ever finish. Always remember, you are who you are because of the people around you. Beech beech me gyaan ch*di bhi hogi, but you’re reading Vidit Parmar’s AWL, so you signed up for it.
If there’s anyone reading this in their first year, then my advice to you would be to stop reading this AWL and go out and socialize with your batchmates. Those gigantic first year friend groups might be short lived, but still produce some of the finest memories you’ll ever make.
The story of my journey would be incomplete without talking about the Y22 Freshers’ Inferno. I still remember it like it was yesterday, with people coming to watch matches at 8AM on a foggy and spine-chilling January morning, simply because their hall was playing. From playing basketball matches to cheering at badminton, football and squash matches, those were some of the best days of my entire life. Hall 12 won the freshers inferno and the results were announced in a packed OAT in a fiery atmosphere. After winning, hall 12 went on a victory parade, first entering hall 3 where their y20 president ended up throwing buckets of water on y22s of hall 12. The parade was so big that the security car was accompanying us to make sure we didn’t do anything wrong, and we were denied entry into any other hall in fear of a conflict. I request the junior batches to try their best to reignite this fire within the students, and most importantly the freshers. I want to give credit to the Y20 Maratha HEC: Aumkar, Kaushalendra, Aman, Yatharth and Bansod for igniting the fire inside my heart that still burns for hall 12. JAI BHAVANI JAI SHIVAJI!
I still remember having to choose between Humour House and KOS for freshers night. Only now do I realize, had I chosen KOS, I’d have lost myself in the hundreds of Y22s trying their best to dance (not very successfully too XD), but instead, I joined Humour House and I found myself. People always called me funny, but I never thought that I’d make it such a big part of myself.
I always said, if you put a bunch of funny and sweet people together, and added Kavy Uprariya, you’d get the Y22s of Humour House. Harshit ki uncle harkatein, Gupil’s witty jokes, Sankalp se sabki g*nd jalna, Anwesha ki sudden punchlines , Chandak ka confidence, Sanya ki lack of pop culture knowledge, Bhavin ka improv me aurat banna, Satyaprakash ke dark and (un)funny jokes aur Kavy ka meet skip karke apna coco katwana, sab yaad rahega.
Inter IIT 2024 ki preparation me Hall 3 basketball court pe fruits khaate hue endless improv scenes karne se lekar raat me Lakshay ki election planning dekhna aur beech me kahi Harshit ka bolna ki yaar Mutton khaate hai, those really were the good old days.
Humour House truly did turn out to be a family, and I was lucky enough to get the best juniors and seniors one could ask for in this family. How ironic is it that when we won the Improv Comedy bronze medal at the Inter IIT Cult Meet Patna, almost everyone was crying, not out of happiness, but out of sadness of being robbed. But that taught me 2 very important lessons: 1) You don’t always get what you deserve, but always appreciate what you get, and, 2) Don’t make Bihari people judges in comedy events.
Moving on to the other thing which has been a huge, huge part of my life, since even before I came to IITK: Basketball. Like everyone in this world, I’ve had my ups and downs, but the one thing that kept me sane and stable has always been basketball. As Uncle Drew/Kyrie Irving said, “What’s there not to love about basketball? It’s the most reliable thing in the world. It doesn’t complain, doesn’t ask any questions. You bounce it, it comes right back up.” And I think in that way, basketball teaches you something about life.
Having been playing basketball since I was 8 years old, and being a decent player, I always thought that IITians would be nerdy and trash at sports and that I would instantly become the star player of the team, but one day at the court was enough for me to realize how wrong I was. In a way, I think about how poetic it was that I came here thinking I would be the star player, but ended up being a bench player almost the entire time. But I still wouldn’t have it any other way. I suppose that’s life’s way of teaching you lessons, you show arrogance and it humbles you almost immediately.
My love for basketball was something I’ve had since much before IITK, but what I found here at IITK, was my love for the IITK basketball team. This amazing bunch of people, all of whom love basketball, some a little less, some a little more, but an unwavering love and dedication towards the sport.
And how can I not mention the Y22 Hoopers, 5 of the closest members of my IITK family: Bagga– my fellow Gurgaon hooper with an unshakable love and discipline towards the sport and the people he cares about and the deadliest midrange jumpshot, Prithvi– my brother from South Delhi who never stops driving to the rim (atleast when his body is not broken into pieces) and who I’ve spent countless hours doing nothing with, Chirayu– my proud Jaat captain who has improved the most and has a penchant for making heavily contested shots (much to my dismay), Ekansh– my Kanpuriya brother who doesn’t hide his emotions ever-both in life and after blocking the f*ck out of countless shots, and last but most definitely not the least, Chandrabhan– my Bhopali brother who is the quietest of us all but can wreck any opponent team with ease.
We’ve been to so many tournaments, made so many memories, so I would like to summarize our journey the best way I know, through a statline, the most unique statline you’ll ever see:
- Tournaments played: 15+
- Girls asked out: A few
- Girls who have asked us out: Even fewer
- Blamed the referees: Quite a few times (and deservingly)
- Opponents who we’ve talked trash to: Decent number
- Number of fistfights: 1 (Shoutout to Prithvi Mehta)
- Medals won: 5+
- Memories made: Countless
Moving on to the closest members of my family (I know at this point some of you may be wondering ki iski family kitni badhi hai, but I’m a social person, and I wouldn’t have it any other way).
From the first year to the last, few people have been constant in my life and I’ll get to who they are in a while. Pehle thoda gyan ch*dne do.
Before coming to IITK, I was a strong atheist, but these 4 years have changed me. Now, I do believe there is a god, because the sheer number of lovely people I’ve gotten the chance to be friends with, and the few people who I can proudly call the best of my friends, itne saare bakchod logo ka ek batch me assemble hoke mere se interaction hona cannot be a coincidence.
Kavy, my roommate for my first 2 years at IITK. Random roommate allotment me mujhe itna Bakchod banda kaha se mila I have absolutely no idea, but sadly pehle dinn pe hi maine bechare ki maarli thi for reasons we won’t go into. But I think that was the perfect start, because throughout these 4 years, maine countless times Kavy ki bina baat ke maari hai and he had the sense of humour to know I was mostly joking. Iske baad bhi, he has been with me through thick and thin and words can’t describe how much I love him. The last sentence can be said for every single person I talk about ahead, so I’m not going to repeat it, but I hope you get the emotion.
Pranshu, the all-knowing buddy, who I know I can trust no matter what the issue, and who has opened my eyes to the world of history and politics.
Anish, the life of the party, who I know is always down to have fun, and who’ll always have my back.
Aniket, the most besharam yet fun-loving spirit I have ever seen, and my fellow perpetually single brother.
Yash, who is best described by his title Jaat King Yash Jerwal, without even being a Jaat, and who is one of the most loving people I’ve ever met.
Abhishek, the single most careless person I’ve ever met and probably will ever meet, but at the same time, always there with lots of love.
Aditya, the most brainrotted individual I’ve ever met, but there’s no one else I’d rather spend hours with just scrolling reels.
Sparsh, the most calm and trustworthy person, but always down to have fun no matter what the circumstances.
Gill, iske baare me to kya hi bolu, ye sabko janta hai sab isse jaante hai, but the brother with the darkest jokes, but the softest heart.
Rohak, the most vella, who I can always have deep conversations with, and who is always down to listen to new music.
Trijal, the chaapu one with a crazy work ethic, last ball dot ball nikal gayi, par wicket abhi baaki hai mere dost.
Vidit Mahla, the man with infinite stories, but each one more entertaining than the last. But behind the funny guy, is a guy with a resolve as strong as iron.
Aadi, the always chill guy jiske sath kabhi bhi maze karlo, the batsman jo IIT Kanpur ko matches jita gaya par hall 1 me meri team se har baar duck hua.
Meet, the nonchalant guy with whom I’ve passed all my MSE courses. Mai to sabme pass hogaya, but the one time he didn’t do a course with me is something he still regrets.
Aryan, the short tempered bomb, who was always full of energy ki kahi chalte hai.
Garvit, the handsome guy who is the easiest to talk to and always makes you feel at home.
Anisurya, who has a nose like a dog, apne kaam ki cheez smell karke pohoch jata hai.
And my 2 sisters:
Khushi, jisse bhale hi baat minimum ho, par somehow connection maximum hai.
And Arya Sorate, my favourite gossip buddy, but who is still pretty annoying.
Inki tareefein karunga to AWL ki limit chhoti padh jayegi, but I’ve had the fortune of making so many memories with them. From the countless parties and baithaks, to the elections and crashing weddings, to planning and going on 3 trips, going on 1 trip at the last moment without any planning, to Hall 2 presi party, becoming H1 ki Dulhan and the sheer number of Sesh’s. Thinking about them makes me feel I’ve truly lived life, and brings tears to my eyes, not because I’m sad that college ended, but because I know that the moment a tear rolls down my cheek, all of them will rush to me to wipe it off, aur iss bahaane fir mulaqaat ho jayegi.
Before I end this AWL, 1 final paragraph of gyanch*di karunga, to all my juniors: ache se padhna.
Many times you’ll think that maybe you’re oversocializing, spending too much time on extra curriculars and that’s why your academic performance is suffering. Let me tell you this, if you can’t manage your academics with all of this on your plate, you won’t be able to manage them without all this on your plate. Sirf padhai karke grades har koi le ata hai, but multitasking karna, multiple things manage karna, is what makes you truly bakchod. I’ll admit ki maine khud utna ache se manage nahi kare apne academics, but that was my own fault, or a choice to be very honest. I’d just like to say that the semester in which I had the highest extra-curricular load, was also the one in which I got my highest ever SPI. College is most definitely the time to make your career, but always remember, it is also the time to make the best memories of your life, and if you’re willing to work hard, it is not a trade-off between the two. I’ve finished college with an Inter-IIT medal at both the sports meet and the cult meet, so I believe I’ve been pretty involved in extra curricular activities, and I still had plenty of time to study for my courses, I just chose not to, but you can always make a different choice. I hope you guys keep the IITK culture alive.
And remember, along the way, everything won’t go how you wish it had, poore mazze karoge, to shayad kaand bhi kardoge (trust me I know), but jab bhi lage ki ab to game over hai, always remember what Kanye said: “Now that, that don’t kill me, can only make me stronger.”
IITian to har IIT banata hai, par bakchod logo ki factory sirf IIT Kanpur me lagi hai.
Signing off
Vidit Parmar (AKA Rainmaker)
Written by : Vidit Parmar
Edited by : Japneet Singh, Akash Baudh
