Suryansh Bhandari

“Humne padhai se zyaada bakchodi kari”

Let’s hear from the E-Cell Manager who believes bakchodi is the aim of life – or at least that’s what we interpret from his stories.

Q. Tell us about your time as an E-Cell Manager?

I initially worked as an Events coordinator in SARC, and my tenure was online then. I enjoyed doing that. I later worked in E-Cell and became Events and PR Manager. I learnt a lot through my time in IBs. In E-Cell, I was leading an event, and I was able to bring in the highest number of registrations in 23 years. I interacted with multiple influencers, and added a new level in the competition, which I believe was my best achievement.

That year, our team went to Dubai, where we were praised by the Consulate General of India. There have been many incidents where students who began their start-ups would come to us and thank us for providing them with a platform and the help that they received.

Q. What were some of the funniest incidents that you experienced here?

We used to do a lot of makkari. Let me recall. 

Okay so I remember, it was one of our friends’ birthday. As is the culture of GPL, we were beating him with numerous things and even bare hands. I accidentally hit his “hip bone” with my foot (~kicked his ass). I felt unbearable pain in my toe, just when my toe bounced back from his bum. Later, I came to know that there was a fracture. I went to the IITB hospital to get the plaster done. When I came back home after a few days, I again went to a doctor for a follow-up. I got to know that the doctor at IITB hospital had put the plaster in the wrong place. And so, I had to get the plaster done again🤦‍♂️ .

Another incident was during a physics lecture. The class was in LA. The professor switched off the lights momentarily to demonstrate an experiment, but my friends at the back started banging the desk and “bum bum chik… bum bum chik… we will, we will, rock you”. The wave spread to the entire LA with everyone banging on the desks in sync. These moments are something that will always remind me of the simplicity of our fun.

Q. What have been your major learnings so far?

Through my years at insti, I realised that what makes insti life so memorable is its people. Everyone is always ready to socialize and make friends. I couldn’t have made better friends in any other part of my life. Any person can vouch that everyone is so good and helpful here. I tried to explore everything I could. I never regretted doing the bakchodi. And I tried to maintain a good CPI. For the juniors, guys please thoda padh lo, and keep your CPI above 8. Bakchodi will be the most enjoyable when you do not have that academic pressure on you. More than spending your money on buying things, spend it on experiences. There was Ed Sheeran’s concert, and I bought the tickets for the show from the money I had saved up to buy airpods. For the time you are in Mumbai, go and watch stand-ups, visit all the places. We used to watch so many movies, and we would make fun and shout in the movies like Heropanti 2 and Housefull 4. Let’s be honest, these movies were not the best, but yet we enjoyed them a lot because we watched them together. Leaving behind insti and its memories is the biggest challenge.

Q. What genre would you like to give to your life here at insti?

It’s definitely a comedy movie. We have done plenty of bakchodi.