Saptarshi Paul is a Y19 MSc student from the Department of Chemistry. He shares his story through the 2 years he spent at IIT Kanpur.
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.
Never did I even dare to imagine that a mediocre Bengali student like me would get to enter the glorious gates of IIT Kanpur! But exactly that happened on the 20th July, 2019. I had the privilege of pursuing my Master’s (M.Sc.) in Chemistry from this splendid institute. There were so many questions, uncertainties and doubts, but they started to gradually subside as our auto entered the main gate and I saw “Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur” inscribed on the wall. With my eyes wide open, I looked left and then right and tried to grasp every glimpse of this Institute. After the counselling formalities, I was assigned Hall 13—the newest hostel in IITK.
For the first time in my life, I would be living in a hostel setting. I was excited but also very nervous, and gradually my emotions started to overwhelm me. With so many unknown students around me from all over India, I began to feel like a small drop in a big, wide ocean. On the very 3rd night in my hostel, I went to the bathroom and cried! Gradually, as I started making friends and interacting with some of my classmates, things started to get better, much better!
Being a spiritual person, I was delighted to join a church group inside the campus. Meanwhile, my academic classes started, and I was amazed to see how cool and friendly the IIT professors were. Learning was actually fun here! One of my most treasured moments was performing my self-composed poetry in the Chemistry department Freshers. After the program, all the professors and students had dinner together and slowly but surely, IIT Kanpur had become my “Home away from Home.”
But just as everything was going smooth, the mid-semester exams arrived! One of the academically challenging things about IITs is that you have the brightest students from all across India in one place. Despite all the stress and pressure, it was a joy to study all night with my friends in the New Core Lab (NCL). And how much should I praise the Student Lounge? Such comfortable chairs and sofas and air conditioning – it was my most preferred place to study. All of us were very serious about the exams since it was the first time that we were going to give exams in an IIT. In contrast, now in our last semester, hardly anyone even remembers the exam dates!
The much-awaited mid-semester break finally kicked in, and my family visited me on the campus. They stayed in the guest room, and after a few days, we all went to visit Lucknow. It was a very special moment for me since they were very proud of me for studying at a top institute of the country.
The second part of the semester started, and this time I was very motivated and focused on improving my grades. I stopped participating in extracurricular activities and put a lot of pressure on myself. Unfortunately, this process backfired! Despite studying more, I ended up getting lower grades than my mid-semester exams.
I learnt a crucial lesson then– Play it to your own strength. In a game of chess, you do not attack the opponent from the side you are weaker in, but rather from the side where you are stronger. Similarly, in life, you should not blindly follow the crowd. Instead, you should focus on the areas where you are strong. I halted my extracurriculars and tried to copy others’ study routines, but to my own dismay.
I engaged in an exciting activity during the mid-semester break and also after the end-semester exams. I interviewed 5-6 of my 1st year B.tech friends in Hall 13 about their journey to IIT and how IITK was treating them. And truly, this activity was a delight to my soul! To get to hear their struggles and hardships and their resilience in overcoming them was highly inspiring.
In my 2nd semester, I had a new roommate, and we became very good friends. When you have a roommate who encourages you every now and then, you are bound to have a good semester. That’s precisely what happened! I excelled both in my academics and extracurriculars. I was quick to involve myself in a Christmas Program organized on campus, where I had the privilege of playing the role of Jesus in a small skit. Everything was well organized this semester. I was able to manage my academics, and whenever I used to get some free time, I involved myself in some sort of social work or other activities. There was only one big challenge in this month of January—the chilling cold!
Being from Kolkata, I had hardly experienced temperatures below 10°C, but here it went as low as 0°C. We scarcely took proper baths during those days! Once, I woke up, and everything that I touched was freezing cold! Initially, it was very tough but slowly and steadily, I adapted to it. In this 2nd semester, I did play it to my own strength! I broke my habit of studying late at night. Instead, I started my day early and was also involved in extra-curriculars. All in all, I was in a great mental space. As a matter of fact, I was so confident about my preparation that I left for my hometown to attend my previous college reunion function and give my family a surprise!
Upon my return to campus, the mid-semester break commenced which eventually got extended by two weeks, due to the pandemic. And in those 2 weeks, I really lived the campus life! I went on a mission to explore every corner of the campus and do every unique activity possible. From entering the girls’ hostel to roaming inside the SBRA (family quarters), from playing tennis for the first time in my life to performing in the OAT in front of my best friend, those 2 weeks were lit! We were neither worried about our exams nor our career, but truly living the IIT life! Sadly, every good thing comes to an end, and because of the virus, we were eventually told to go back home. Who knew that the next time we would meet each other would be after one long year!
During the lockdown, it became a challenge to get back to my rhythm. Nevertheless, I got myself involved in some debating competitions and even managed to get some prizes. I participated in a plethora of chess competitions as well. I also had the privilege of organizing our Chemistry department Freshers’ Party online. It was motivating to see my juniors with such fresh energy, passion and curiosity to know about the “Prestigious IIT life”! I really hope they get to be on campus soon.
One of my prized memories of the lockdown is that I created a small counselling group based on the Biblical motto – “Encourage one another and build each other up.” Around 12 to 14 of my friends used to meet over zoom once every fortnight and share our stories about all the good and positive things that were happening around us. The best part about this group was that apart from sharing stories, the students were also willing to listen to what others had to say. Finally, just before the lockdown ended, we organized a Christmas and New Year Program based on the theme “Rat Race Vs Your Race” which was attended by 45 of my friends from various departments, across UGs and PGs. Even though our semester had shifted online, I must thank the professors and the institute for listening to the concerns and taking care of the students.
We were called back on campus on 6th March 2021, about a year after we left! With inexpressible joy, I again entered the glorious gates of IIT Kanpur! After our mandatory 1-week quarantine, we were let loose! I still remember the fresh breeze that was blowing against my face as I cycled around the campus, the sweet scent of the early mornings, the soul-satisfying sight of the colourful flowers around the campus, and waking up to the squawk of peacocks – it felt like I had returned to a place where I truly belong. A good friend of mine said– “IIT Kanpur is not just a place, it is an emotion.”
The last semester was mainly spent in research work. I was very fortunate to have been allowed to use 2 microscopes which cost around 80 lakhs each! The lab seniors were super friendly. They not only help you in your subject but also in every sphere of life! Obviously, the lab parties were some of my best memories. I remember when we went to CCD along with our supervisor, and we just ordered and ate as much as we could! During the scorching heat of April, my only aim was to get to the labs as soon as possible so that I can sit in the AC and relax. And there would be so much peace! But, as I already said previously – Good things don’t last long in this world, and so it was, coronavirus was back again. We were given a hint that the campus might be shut down again.
However, before things closed down again, I decided to live the IIT life for the last time! We visited the Flight Lab and took some “out of the world” pictures with the planes. We also took some crazy high jump photos on the runway! Just before the mail came asking us to leave, I remember gathering with some of my friends late at night and sharing some of the memories we made in IITK. Such a heartfelt moment it was! And of course, we did two things before leaving—one, the mandatory group photo and two, bought some IITK souvenirs from the Outreach Center. My favorite thing about IITK would be that I got to make friends with students from almost every state of India. My favourite daily activity would always be to have food together with these precious friends in our mess. One thing that I learnt from IITK is that everyone is beautiful in their own way. So, if you are different, never think that you are “weird”; it is just that you are a “unique” person! As I leave IITK, I want to end with this small poem that I wrote
A Better World
In a world where the sword seems to be mightier than the pen
Where the out of the box thinkers are thrown in the lions’ den
We need more people like Jesus
Who will accept the outcasts with arms wide open.
In a world where everyone needs a Savior
I was blessed by God to have received your Favor
And I hope that I could add to your life
A different sort of a Flavor.
Written by: Saptarshi Paul
Edited by: Abhimanyu Sethia, Tanush Kumar
