Anushka

Anushka

From her early days in Sagar and Kota to our beloved Insti, Anushka, a B.Tech graduate in Mechanical Engineering, describes her time here as one filled with memories, milestones, and moments of self-discovery that have shaped her outlook on life and her future ambitions. Read on to learn how Anushka found and built a life of meaning and purpose at IIT Bombay.

Q: Tell us about your journey. Why did you choose IIT Bombay?

A: My journey began in 10th grade, when I was very interested in math. My sister told me I’d be a good fit for engineering, but I wasn’t sure about it at first. She made me understand that IIT is a very prestigious place and offers a wide platform for opportunities. Then I started preparing in 11th grade at Kota, Rajasthan. I aimed for the top 5 IITs but never imagined that I’d reach IIT Bombay, and I learned along the way that you shouldn’t just dream big, but work hard, for the right opportunities to come to you. 

Q: What were your expectations before coming here, and how well were they met?

A: I knew that the academics were going to be tough. But what surprised me was how supportive and non-judgmental the environment was. Seniors and friends here have always been very helpful, beyond what one could imagine. So much so that I, who was but a shy girl in school, got the chance to dance, act in dramatics, and even explore my spirituality here. The experience was much better than what I expected.

Q: Which clubs and teams were you a part of?

A: I was part of the poetry club, Vaani and represented IIT Bombay twice at Inter-IIT events. I used to write poetry and articles quietly as a young girl, but here I performed on stage. I also participated in Gyrations.

Q:What was your go-to stress buster or hobby that helped you survive on campus?

A: Talking to friends and seniors helped me. Playing the guitar, reading spiritual books like Many Lives, Many Masters and Don’t Believe Anything You Think, and random walks to places like Sameer Hill and the boathouse are my other favourite pastimes. I also liked going out for meals with my friends often.

Q: Are there any changes you have noticed in the insti culture as your time here progressed? 

A: Yes, I am seeing more female participation in elections in recent years. Earlier, there was a lot of hesitation from the girls, but now the apparent gender disparity is going down, a nd that’s a good sign. SWC(Student Wellness Centre) is more active now, and counsellors are helping students with specific issues like childhood trauma and abuse by directing them towards other counsellors with specialisations in such domains, which is truly refreshing to see.

Q: How much of an impact do you think COVID had on your college life?

A: COVID made me miss out on making more friends and exploring the campus better. When I recollect everything that happened, back then, I could’ve explored myself better, and the multiple opportunities that I was blind to in a better way. Sometimes I regret how I learnt about discussion groups for questions, different SAFE app procedures, and more such life-hacks much later. Still, our ISMP mentors were very helpful during that time, in letting us know about the institute culture, even if it was only via online mediums on a weekly or monthly basis.

Q: How did the academic competition or competition overall affect your mental health? Did you feel overwhelmed by the pressure to excel? 

 A:I’ve never let myself succumb to much pressure. As I knew that for administrative services, all that was required of me was a college-level qualification, I studied whatever interested me, and did not tend much to courses that I wasn’t interested in, and you’ll see that’s fairly visible in how my grades ranged from very low grades to AP. However, during the intern season, I did feel some peer pressure. People’s comments had me doubting my UPSC preparation, nevertheless, my family and friends stood by me throughout. Everyone has their journey, and we must learn to honour our journey instead of comparing it to somebody else’s. It’s as simple as what my sister used to tell me, “You are a bird, and you’re meant to fly. Why should you clip your wings and try to swim?”.

Q: If there was one experience from your insti life that you could relive, what would it be?

A: If it had to be only one incident, I would say it is my Gyrations dance performance, when I felt the most alive and expressive. But right now, after having left the campus and college life once and for all, I feel it’s all those trivial moments like having tea near Kresit or walking by the lakeside, that I would want to go over again. Those are the moments that were like garnishing on the plate of life – not needed to survive, rather to thrive. I felt so miserable on my last day in college that I almost packed some soil from the Gymkhana grounds in a box to take back home, as a souvenir!

 Q:If you could turn back and change one thing, what would it be? 

A: I would’ve tried to be more persistent. I would’ve made it my aim to be busy making connections and participating in cultural activities. And most importantly, I wish I hadn’t said no to plans with friends – that’s something I wouldn’t recommend to anyone who wants to live their college life to the fullest.

Q: What’s the longest you have stayed awake without sleeping? Why?

A: It was the day before the valedictory function. I was just too anxious, excited, nervous – everything all at once as I was thinking about the event and the photoshoot. I just couldn’t sleep while thinking about how every minute I sleep would be an opportunity lost to cherish Insti for one last time, and I couldn’t bear to hold regrets later. And the days before some tedious exams are the days when you sacrifice your sleep entirely!

Q: Any opinions on relationships in the institute?

A: People here who are open to dating are very supportive and non-judgmental. And friends, even professors, are really invested in the relationships, which creates such a positive space. It is a fact that whether it be friendships or relationships, they are both built on love, trust, integrity, and honesty. Those have been the key to successful relationships that have lasted all four years in some fortunate cases.

Q: Moving ahead, what are your plans?

A: I am preparing for the UPSC exam, and I will continue to do so in Delhi and want to become an IAS officer, for which I’ll give the exam next year. Everyone has 2 careers- a professional one and a spiritual one, and I want my professional career to align with my spiritual one, and that must be by serving humanity. And this path, I believe, is the best for that perfect alignment.

Q: What advice would you like to give the junior batches? 

 A: I firmly believe that leaving IITB will feel like you’re leaving heaven. See, IITB is not just a place – it’s a lifestyle and a mindset. When you live with integrity and dedication, when your actions reflect the positive aspects that IITB created and moulded in you, that is how you would give back to the institute. When you step out of these walls, you are going to bear the tag of an IIT Bombay student, and you must live up to it, excel and flourish. 

Quick-fire round :

Favourite hangout spot? Lakeside

Favourite food joint? Aromas

Favourite prof? Prof. Amul Gokhale

Favourite course? Processing of Aerospace Materials

Even sem or odd sem? Even sem

Q: If you get to meet your little self from the past today, will he/she be happy to see you where you are today?

A: Firstly, she wouldn’t even recognise herself! She would be awestruck by the amount of change that struck that shy teenage girl that she transformed into a talented, outgoing and mature woman. When she sees this change, she would fall deeper in love with Insti, and having truly understood the value of this place, she’ll explore her limits even further, and make even greater memories.

Here are some lines Anushka lovingly put together for the place that holds a special place in her heart(and ours) forever:

फिज़ा की खुशबू ने तेरी उड़ना सिखा दिया

There is a fragrance of growth and aspirations in its environment 

That has taught me how to fly.

दरिया को समंदर में मुड़ना सिखा दिया

We, the students, are like rivers, and knowledge is our ocean, the ultimate destination we seek. This institute, as its logo “Gyanam Paramam Dhyeyam” beautifully states, has taught each river to find its way to the ocean of wisdom.

उम्र भर न भूल पाएंगे वो तालीम ए ज़िंदगी का मुकाम

I will never be able to forget this place that gave me the truest form of education, 

Beyond books, reaching the soul

धड़कनों को दिल से जहां जुड़ना सिखा दिया

This is the precious place that has induced the heartbeat of liveliness into my heart, 

making me a free spirit and teaching me how to truly

 live, love, and laugh