‘From taking leadership roles at IIT Hyderabad to getting inspired to start own venture’ | Life in an IIT

I chose the path of self-study, which meant a lot of self-discipline and motivation.

As a kid, I admired Sundar Pichai. I thought, “Why not me?” So, aiming for the stars, I decided to shoot for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur targeting the material science and metallurgical engineering branch.

But life had other plans, and I landed in Hyderabad instead. Although one of my prior choices was to go to IIT Delhi or IIT Kharagpur, I was excited to join any top IIT and immerse myself in the experience. Now, I am in my final year studying material science and metallurgical engineering at IIT Hyderabad.

I was born in Rourkela, Odisha, and was raised in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh.

Staying away from home, taking leadership roles, getting inspiration

November 2021 marked a significant milestone for me as I joined IIT Hyderabad. It was the first time I had left home to start living alone, which indeed called for a big adjustment. The campus life was vibrant and soon I found myself surrounded by like-minded peers, which made the transition smoother.

Taking on leadership roles during the initial period at IIT Hyderabad like the head of E-Cell and head of Tinkerers Lab, I not only honed my managerial skills but also got inspired to start my own venture, Picapool. These experiences have been pivotal, shifting my career focus from landing a job at a tech giant to nurturing my own startup.

Transformation at IIT

IIT Hyderabad has been a transformative experience for me. Initially, I was eager to join Google, but my time here has inspired me to embark on my own entrepreneurial journey. The reality checks and challenges I encountered have fuelled my energy, pushing me to work hard to achieve my dreams. I am particularly grateful for the Maker Bhavan Foundation’s initiatives, such as the Tinkerers Lab, which provided a space for hands-on experimentation, and the Invention Factory, where I was fortunate to be selected as a product inventor among the top 60 students. Winning the Vishwakarma Innovation Award alongside Aditya Gupta was a significant milestone, as it further boosted my entrepreneurial spirit and propelled me on this exciting path.

Daily routine

My daily routine is pretty packed. I spend my days attending classes between 9 am and 5 pm. I dedicate my time from 7 pm to 2 am to developing my startup, Picapool.

Despite my busy schedule, I make sure that I take breaks with friends, explore local spots and plan overnight trips, which refresh our minds and strengthen our bonds. My friends and I sometimes escape on night-long road trips to nearby hills, renting motorbikes or cars. These adventures are one of the best experiences after getting into the IIT.

‘Managed to avoid the infamous birthday bumps!’

One fun fact: so far, I have managed to avoid the infamous birthday bumps! At IIT Hyderabad, we are presented with birthday bumps on our birthdays. I have been avoiding it by hiding in some locations where my friends are unable to find me. I hope my friends do not get to know about it. It is their final year to find me out wherever I hide and make my birthday memorable before leaving this campus.

What after IIT Hyderabad?

Post IIT Hyderabad, I envision myself diving deeper into the entrepreneurial world. I am skipping this year’s campus placements to focus on growing Picapool. I am committed to making a positive impact through my work, aiming to innovate solutions that touch lives.

Picapool is a geo-location-based pooling platform that connects like-minded individuals within their vicinity. We are rolling out its features in phases. Initially, we introduced “group buying” offers, which have proved popular with our target demographic—college students.

After that we launched a “cab sharing” feature and most recently, a “sharing game”, aimed at assisting solo travellers in hilly regions. We are focusing on extensive marketing efforts in the Delhi region, with plans to expand across India soon. Our dedicated team is working tirelessly to ensure the platform’s success. We have also secured a significant grant of Rs 15 lakh from Suzuki and are considering fundraising to increase our reach.