Eleventh Issue

Vox Populi

Issue: 9

Freshmen on IIT Kanpur - Impressions, Dreams and Realities

The expectations automatically go high when the name - Indian Institute of Technology - IIT comes into mind. And of course, I was no exception. The first impression about this institute took shape in my mind during the first visit itself. Looking at the learned and experienced faculty, it was easy to say that there was a rigorous life ahead, if I made it through the interview. But, at the same time, I believed that even an ordinary stone glitters through rigorous polishing and that glitter is everlasting because of the hard work put into.

So, making way to one of the best institutes in India, IIT Kanpur, I was very much excited to embark a new journey here. The counselling service needs a special mention as it helped us right from the time we arrived on the Kanpur Central railway station till we got to know almost everything about the institute. I could hardly expect more.

Now that the lectures have begun in full flow, it is a real pleasure to study under such erudite professors. Besides, with so many extra curricular activities to participate in and the various clubs where we can pursue our interests and hone our skills- IITK proved to be a dream place where I wanted to be. The institute seems to prove my belief right- IIT is not only a place to excel in studies but also a place where one can develop an all round personality.

Paritosh Manurkar
M. Tech (First Year), EE

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You might have dreamed about making it. You probably have worked hard at it. And you made it. You had hopes, dreams, and expectations -- some of these would be met, and some might not. It's easy to get tripped up by the ‘nots’. Don't. Your experience at IITK (and, by generalization everywhere) is what *you* make of it -- so make it the best that you can.

Arun S Raghavan
M.Tech (First Year), CSE

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Initially, I thought IITK, being an institute of excellence, the students might be busy studying, and that on one will be involved in extra-curricular activities. After reaching here I was proved wrong. I saw folks, if not all of them, cheerfully involved in games and whole heartedly taking part in various festivities. That was a new face of IITK that I cherished a lot. Expectation was dampened when my love for good food was severely halted. I never saw green vegetables being served in our mess, it’s “aloo factor” that prevails the entire menu. Could there be a change, I’ll be the happiest man !!

Ritesh Pankajkumar Shah
MTech (First Year), CSE

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During my interview I enjoyed the close interaction with the faculties. They were supportive and their gestures awesome. IITK has one of the best facilities, the ambiance is cool and above all we always enjoy the evergreen campus. Witnessing all these, I moved to IITD for my next interview, I explored IITD and my desire for being at IITK got enhance many folds. I had a wish “if I have to get somewhere it’s IITK.” I got the offer and it was a dream come true.

Nageswara Rao Majeti
M.Tech (First Year), EE

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IIT Kanpur is a great place filled with intellectual vibes. I look forward to interacting with some of the best minds of the nation during my stay here.

Gaurav Saxena
M.Tech (First Year), CSE

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Editors:

Sathyaraj V. and Tuhin Kumar Pal

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Humor Section


Originally published at IITK Comics

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Editor's Choice Top 100 Books


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Seek Spiritual Unity Amidst Religious Diversity

Communal conflicts make some people feel that the world would be better off without religion. But the plight of a godless modern world is poignantly caught by Martin Luther King Jr. in his comment several decades ago, “We have guided missiles and misguided men”. While science and technology have helped us to control the external world to some extent, control of the inner world is sadly lacking, as can be seen from the alarming increase in depression, hypertension and other mental health disorders as also in addictions, criminality, violence, suicides and homicides. It is genuine spirituality alone that can provide the inner strength and fulfillment that can lead to lasting morality and real character in the individual.

All religions have two aspects – exoteric (external) and esoteric (internal). Most religious practitioners focus fanatically on the exoteric aspects such as rituals, institutions and mindsets, which often differ according to time, place and culture. These superficial religionists are often unaware of the essence of the religion that they profess to follow. Consequently they tend to become sentimental or fundamentalist and have internecine conflicts, riots and crusades. When we dig through the misconceptions, misinterpretations and mistakes that have over the centuries obscured the essential truths of all religions, we will find that these core principles are consistently identical and can be briefly summarized as follows:

1. God is the Supreme Father of all living beings and He is the Supreme Owner and Controller of everything.

2. We are accountable for all our actions to God. If we encroach upon the property of God or the rights of the other children of God, we will in time get an appropriate reaction as per the laws of God. .

3. We are spirit souls, eternal sons of God and our real happiness is not in material acquisition, but in spiritual realization, in lovingly harmonizing ourselves with nature and God.

4. We can easily and effectively achieve this harmony and the resulting highest happiness by chanting the holy names of God – Krishna, Rama, Allah, Christ, Jehovah or any other name as stated in the authorized religious scriptures

These spiritual precepts do not contradict the principle of secularism because secularism should not be misunderstood or misinterpreted as atheism. Secularism basically implies impartiality towards different religions and the above precepts are the common underlying teachings of all the major religions of the world.

When people harmonize themselves with the essential principles of their respective religion they learn to live harmoniously. Hence, Srila Prabhupada remarks, when the scientist, the philosopher and the medical man get the opportunity to scientifically understand God then there will be paradise on the earth.

Ranjan Kumar Behra
PhD, Electrical Engineering (ranjanee@)

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