‘Teaching underprivileged children enriched my IIT BHU experience’

I am currently in my second year of my BTech in Materials Science and Technology at IIT BHU. My interest in understanding how materials work in our daily lives led me to choose materials science and technology. During the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling, I also considered aerospace engineering and mechatronics engineering, but I was eventually placed in this branch, which has turned out to be great.

Childhood, JEE preparation

I am originally from Bihar but have been residing in Telangana since childhood due to my father’s service. Coming this far away from home and adjusting to a new city which is over 1,000 km away from home was quite difficult at the beginning, but I managed to cope.

My father is an engineer, and my mother is a homemaker. Getting into IIT was a milestone for me, but for my father, it was the fulfillment of a dream he once held for himself.

I appeared for both JEE Main and Advanced in 2023. It was my first attempt. My father had been my greatest source of inspiration and his determination was only what led to me becoming an IITian.

Also growing up, I was captivated by stories of IITians who not only achieved remarkable success but also earned immense respect from their families and society. These stories of impressive careers made me choose this path.

After scoring 96.2 per cent in my CBSE boards, I chose the science stream and began my JEE preparation at Narayana Institute in Telangana. The jump from class 10 to 11 seemed such a big leap to me, and the tough schedule was so hard to handle. My father’s dream of seeing me succeed at IIT was a constant source of motivation.

Then the pandemic hit, making everything even harder. The stress of managing a rigorous study schedule while adjusting to online learning led to feelings of frustration and self-doubt.

My mother was always there for me, offering comfort and encouragement without ever making me feel worse. Her support kept me focused. Even though my brother is younger, he showed great maturity and was always there to cheer me on. Their belief in me gave me the strength to get through the hardest times.

‘Unfamiliar became familiar’: Life in the IIT

I came to IIT BHU in 2023. Although it was not my first time in a hostel, this was the first time I was so far from home. Being 1,000 km away from my family, especially my mother, was a huge difficulty but I managed with time. Arriving at IIT BHU was like stepping into a dream. The campus was everything I had hoped for and more. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the impressive infrastructure, the lively atmosphere, and the range of activities available.

Adjusting to life here took some time. As I grew up in the South, the food, the environment — it all felt so different here. But as I started making friends and getting involved in campus life, things began to fall into place and I felt more comfortable. Slowly, the unfamiliar became familiar, and the campus started to feel like a second home.

Clubs, hobbies

Writing has always been a comfort for me during my JEE days so I decided to explore my hobby of content writing. I joined the Media Club at IIT BHU to enhance my writing skills and also worked at Spardha, the sports fest under the content writing vertical.

I have also joined the Sahyog club where we go every holiday and teach government school children in a fun and interactive way.

Balancing academics with these activities was challenging, but it was worth it. Each experience helped me grow in different ways.

I became resilient, independent and handled challenges with confidence

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Being at IIT BHU has made me more independent and resilient. I have learned to manage my time better and handle challenges with more confidence. The journey has been transformative, pushing me to grow beyond what I thought was possible. It has always made me push beyond my limits and made me think out of the box.

Hectic routine: How I stay connected with my passion

My daily routine is pretty packed, with classes running between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm. We have short breaks between classes and a 1.5-hour lunch break. Despite my hectic schedule, I make time for my hobbies. I love singing and writing, and being involved in content creation through the clubs keeps me connected to my passion.

In my free time, I love exploring the ghats and temples of Banaras. The ghats are close by, and there’s something so peaceful about watching the Ganga Aarti in the evening with friends. It is my favorite way to unwind and calm in the holy city of Varanasi.

I am also associated with the Sahyog Club of IIT BHU. It is dedicated to supporting socially disadvantaged and underprivileged school students. The club members have a chance to visit the government schools once every 15 days and teach them in a fun interactive way, organise games, play with them, share knowledge, and illuminate the path of education, bringing enlightenment to the most marginalized parts of society.

Contributing to other’s lives has been a completely new experience for me as teaching government school children, interacting and playing with them brought a sort of a completely different experience which I feel is the best one to date.

Initially managing time among the classes, clubs, and studies seemed a challenge and felt overwhelming. But with time, I learned how to balance everything and make it work.

After completing my BTech, I would love to enter the software technology field, where I can blend my knowledge of materials science along with it.