© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
– Rishav Kumar
My journey to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) began long before I stepped into the IIT Hyderabad campus. My interest in engineering sparked in the early days of my childhood, borne out of sheer curiosity. I had a habit of dismantling everything I could get my hands on – from toys to household gadgets – just to see how they worked. Inevitably, I would sometimes break them. The real challenge came from the fear of getting scolded. That fear pushed me to figure out how to fix what I had broken and make it work again. In a way, my problem-solving mindset was forged by this cycle: creating a problem out of curiosity and then having to invent a solution under pressure.
I grew up in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and studied in an English-medium school. I come from a family that values perseverance. My father, who started his career as a supervisor at Tata Motors, worked his way up to become a manager and is now the Service Head at Black Diamond Motors. My mother, a homemaker, despite her Hindi-medium schooling, helped me in my studies. Their relentless hard work is the foundation of everything I have achieved.
I completed Class 10 and Class 12 in Raipur. I first attempted the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) but didn’t secure a seat in an IIT. Instead, I pursued a BTech in Computer Science from OP Jindal University, Raigarh. After graduating in 2019, I worked for about a year and a half at Siemens R&D and Wipro. This industry experience sparked a deep curiosity to understand Artificial Intelligence at its core.
Determined to dive deeper, I prepared for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) during the COVID-19 lockdown. Initially, I juggled it with my job at Wipro, but eventually decided to quit to focus fully on studying. The biggest challenge was maintaining discipline and motivation while studying alone. However, the internet was a great equaliser; all the necessary resources, from standard textbooks to mock tests, were available for free. My strategy was simple but effective – study the fundamentals, practice with mock tests, analyse mistakes, and repeat the cycle.
Read | BTech Information Technology Vs BTech Cybersecurity: Which one will you choose?
My hard work paid off, and I secured admission to the MTech (Research) programme in Artificial Intelligence at IIT Hyderabad in 2022. I chose the three-year programme over two-year MTech courses at other institutes because it gave me the time to master core AI subjects and gain hands-on experience at the TiHAN Lab (Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation), where I worked on real-world problems for autonomous vehicles.
The early days at IIT Hyderabad were far from easy. Due to accommodation shortages, my batchmates and I had to commute daily from Sangareddy. Our days were incredibly long – we would leave at 7.30 in the morning and often wouldn’t get back until 10 pm. Juggling the demanding IIT coursework with such an exhausting travel schedule was a real test of endurance. I was fortunate to have a supportive group of friends going through the same challenges. Once we moved into the campus hostel, life became more manageable, and the true IIT experience began.
On campus, I immersed myself not only in academics but also in student leadership. I became deeply involved with the Office of Career Services (OCS) and eventually led the team as the Head Placement Coordinator. Being in that role was fascinating; I was on the other side of the table, spearheading communications with top global companies. It taught me invaluable lessons in strategy, teamwork, and how to represent the incredible talent of our institute to the industry.
My time at IIT Hyderabad transformed me. The transformation was multi-dimensional. Academically, of course, I grew immensely. But personally, IIT taught me resilience and humility. You arrive thinking you’re among the best, only to realise that everyone around you is exceptional in their own way. It also instilled in me a strong sense of accountability. Being in a government-funded institute, I felt a direct responsibility to contribute to India’s progress. I remember my friends from my Bachelor’s visiting me and feeling proud that their tax money was being used to create such an environment – it was a powerful reminder to make the most of the opportunity.
Among the many lessons I learned at IIT, one stands out: “Control the controllables.” In an environment with so many challenges and brilliant people, I learned to focus my energy only on what I could influence – my effort, my attitude, and my actions – and let go of the rest.
Life at IIT for me was a balance of work and wellness. My mornings were devoted to fitness – strength training and swimming – while the day was dedicated to lab work. Evenings were for friends and unwinding. I am passionate about fitness and love driving, which kept me motivated during long hours of testing at the TiHAN lab. To relax my mind, I read a lot – usually finishing three to four non-fiction books a month. Road trips with friends and weekend food explorations in Hyderabad were our favourite ways to unwind.
The faculty at IIT Hyderabad was brilliant – young, approachable, and internationally recognised for their research. They created an environment where we were treated more like colleagues than students, encouraging open discussion and intellectual curiosity.
The IIT experience opened doors I could never have imagined. From attending seminars with defence personnel, artists, and tech leaders to visiting the Naval Dockyard at Visakhapatnam and exploring ships and submarines up close, these experiences enriched my journey.
Managing finances during my IIT years was another lesson in creativity. Managing my budget was tough, primarily because I am a foodie and the campus is far from the city. There was a constant, one-way flow of money from IIT Hyderabad to Hyderabad. The travel and the amazing food were worth it, but it certainly made managing expenses a creative challenge.
Today, after graduating in July 2025, I have joined the CTO Team at TCS Research, continuing my work in the field of Artificial Intelligence.
From dismantling toys as a child to contributing to cutting-edge research in AI, my journey reflects a blend of curiosity, resilience, and dedication – qualities that defined my life in an IIT and continue to guide my path forward.
