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In this 2nd edition of As We Leave, Atharva Deshmukh, a Y21 student graduating from the Department of Chemical Engineering, shares a heartfelt journey of survival, growth, and unbreakable bonds. From navigating the chaos of ChemE and the trauma of certain professors to finding warmth and laughter in Hall 2 Wing 6, his story is one of resilience and friendship. With memories built around football, mess talks, late-night bulla sessions, and countless random plans, he shows how IITK gave him more than a degree—it gave him people, moments, and a version of himself he never knew existed.
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.
Hey there!
I am Atharva, some might recognise me through the Game Development Club, others through Team IITK Motorsports, and many know me as that Chemical Engineering guy who somehow survived Nitin Kaistha’s and Raj Pala’s Courses.
These 4 years at IITK shaped me in ways I never anticipated. The journey began during the pandemic, like for most of us. We all heard seniors talk about their campus experiences while we were stuck at home, dreaming about when we’d finally get to experience it ourselves.
When we finally reached campus, the joy was palpable. We behaved like excited freshers – taking pictures of everything, exploring every corner, making new friends, and adjusting to hostel life. The transition from online to offline was overwhelming yet exhilarating.
The Clubs
After settling in, I had to decide where to invest my time. Game Development Club and Team IITK Motorsports quickly became more than just activities—they became part of who I was at IITK.
Motorsports was a whirlwind. Long nights at the workshop, racing against deadlines, and the thrill of seeing our designs come to life or crash in competitions. It wasn’t just about the work—it was about the bond we shared, the chaos, the laughter, and the bittersweet moments. It was short, but it was a ride I’ll never forget.
Joining the Game Development Club felt like finding a hidden gem. While Chemical Engineering drained me, this club gave me a chance to breathe, to laugh, and to create. The late-night coding, the bugs, and the pride of seeing people enjoy our games—it was magic. It reminded me that, amidst the madness of college, there’s always space for passion, creativity, and a little chaos. It was one of the best decisions I made.
Hall-2 Wing-6: My Second Family
If clubs helped shape what I wanted to do, Hall-2 Wing-6 shaped who I became. It wasn’t just a place to sleep between lectures—it was home. It was a chaotic, beautiful mess of personalities that somehow fit perfectly together. My wingmates became my family, my support system, my daily dose of laughter, and late-night madness – they were brothers, therapists, comedians and co-dreamers. Our days were filled with endless inside jokes that no outsider could ever understand, and our nights were legendary. We pulled all-nighters not to study, but to play poker and cards, laughing until our stomachs hurt over ridiculous debates that had no logic involved. Our ‘bulla sessions’ went on till the birds started chirping, covering everything from quantum theories to what ifs about life, love, and of course, our eternal debate on what you’ll do if your wife cheats on you?
Election season 2024 was wild. We argued like seasoned politicians—voices raised, egos flaring—only to walk it off ten minutes later with ice cream in hand, laughing like nothing ever happened. That’s just who we were: passionate, opinionated, and always there for each other.
The spontaneous movie plans, the midnight food cravings, the hours spent doing nothing yet feeling everything—those are the moments that defined my college life. We dreamed together, failed together, and grew together. Looking back, it’s not the grades or the courses I remember most—it’s the people, the memories, the feeling of belonging. Hall-2 Wing-6 wasn’t just a corridor of rooms. It was the heart of my IITK experience. We came in as strangers, but left as brothers, tied together by late-night snacks, endless memes, and memories that time won’t dare to erase.
Academic Trials
Let’s talk about Chemical Engineering – especially the classes with Nitin Kaistha and Raj Pala. Honestly, those classes were an emotional rollercoaster. Kaistha Sir’s expectations felt like climbing a mountain blindfolded, and Pala Sir’s exams reminded me how little I knew. Every time I thought I had a grip, I found myself buried under more problems. It was exhausting, frustrating, and at times, it felt like I was breaking.
But those tough moments shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Sleepless nights, endless group study sessions, and those rare moments when a concept finally clicked – they weren’t just about learning; they were about building resilience, patience, and the strength to keep going even when everything seemed impossible.
Chemical Engineering wasn’t just about equations and reactions; it taught me how to face fear, break down problems, and keep pushing through the toughest days. I wanted to quit more times than I can count, but those challenges pushed me to dig deeper than I ever thought I could.
Looking back, I’m strangely grateful for the struggle. Kaistha sir and Pala sir may have tested my limits, but they also showed me that I was stronger than I thought. The lessons I learned go far beyond the classroom, and for that, I’ll always be thankful.
I honestly don’t think I would have survived Chemical Engineering without Rohit, Shaurya, Rajat, Aryan, and Narottam. They were more than just my friends; they were my anchors. When the pressure of endless assignments, sleepless nights, and overwhelming exams got too much to bear, they were there to hold me up. They made the toughest days bearable with their humour, support, and understanding. We weren’t just studying together; we were fighting through it together. In moments when I thought I couldn’t keep going, they gave me the strength to push on. I’ll forever be grateful for them because without them, I would have lost myself somewhere along the way.
Thank you, guys, for everything. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Personal Growth
The most significant transformation didn’t happen through textbooks or in clubs—it happened in the quiet, everyday moments of living away from home. I learned to take care of myself in ways I never imagined—doing my own laundry, figuring out finances, and navigating life on my own. But the real change came from the people I met along the way.
My wingmates were my family in ways I didn’t realise at first. They came from different states, religions, and backgrounds, and every late-night conversation with them opened my heart and mind to a world I had never known. The friend who fasted during Ramadan showed me a level of discipline and spirituality that I never understood before. The wingmate from a small village taught me what it truly means to fight for your dreams, no matter how impossible they seem. And the wingmate with different political beliefs reminded me that, despite our differences, we can still respect and care for each other.
I came to IITK as a teenager, confused, unsure of who I was or where I was headed. Now, I’m leaving as someone who has learned to look beyond the surface, to listen with compassion, and to find common ground where I thought there was none. I’ve learned lessons that go beyond what any classroom could teach—lessons of empathy, resilience, and the importance of connection. I will carry these memories, these lessons, with me for the rest of my life.
The Memories
The fests were unforgettable! Dancing until dawn at Antaragni, losing ourselves in the music and energy—it was pure magic. But honestly, it wasn’t just the fests that made it all memorable. It was the chaos of student life: bunking those dreaded classes because we just couldn’t care, cheating in exams (and getting caught, obviously – I will always be grateful to Rohit for taking the complete blame on himself eventhough it was I who was cheating, Thank you my guy), and then begging that one professor in his office to pass us, even though we all knew we were barely scraping by. We somehow managed to do all the ‘bad’ things, but in the end, those experiences were the ones that felt the most real. It was messy, fun, and completely unforgettable.
And then there were the quieter moments: late-night maggi in the canteen after finishing an assignment, celebrating birthdays, and those GPL moments we’ll laugh about for years. It wasn’t always perfect, but it was ours. The laughter, the chaos, those will always stay with me always.
Looking Ahead
As I prepare to step into the professional world for a year or two before pursuing an MBA, most probably, I’m not just leaving with a degree. I’m leaving with memories that will stay forever. The nights I cried quietly, the times I felt I couldn’t go on, the friends who sat beside me without saying a word—those moments made me who I am. I failed, I fell, but I was never alone. And that’s what I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
IITK taught me that growth happens outside your comfort zone – whether that’s presenting your game design to a critical audience, defending your chassis design to seniors, or speaking up during those wing debates when your opinion was in the minority.
To those still on campus: Cherish every moment. Attend that extra lecture, join that club you’re curious about, have that difficult conversation with your wingmate, annoy that one prof, and most importantly, step outside your room regularly. The real IITK experience isn’t in the classrooms alone; it’s in the vibrant ecosystem of people, ideas, and opportunities that surround you.
As I leave, I’m carrying a piece of IITK with me – the friendships, the lessons, the struggles, and the triumphs. My hope is that I’ve left something positive behind, too.
These four years weren’t just a stopover on the way to a career; they were a transformative journey that reshaped who I am. For that, I’ll be forever grateful.
Thank you, IITK. Thank you, Hall-2 Wing-6. And thank you to everyone who was a part of my story and made this journey unforgettable.
This is Atharva Deshmukh, 210231… signing off for the last time. From scared steps on Day 1 to tearful goodbyes now, thank you – IITK, for being home, for breaking me, building me and giving me memories I’ll hold close for a lifetime.
-Atharva Deshmukh
Written by : Atharva Deshmukh
Edited by: Suhani Bansal, Sanchit Arora
Designed by: Pragya Puri
