Born to doctor parents, she carved her path to IIT Guwahati

Indian Express

2 days ago

Though I don't originally belong to Hyderabad, it'll always be my first home. I grew up there – in a house full of warmth, chaos, and laughter. My parents, both doctors – my mother is an anaesthetist and my father a liver surgeon – are originally from Agra, but Hyderabad is where I spent most of my childhood.
I started my schooling at The Future Kids School, then moved to Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Public School (Vidyashram), and finally did my Class 11 and 12 at FIITJEE, Hyderabad. Honestly, growing up, I was never quite sure what I wanted to do. Being the daughter of two doctors, there was this natural assumption that I would follow the same path – but I just never felt drawn to biology. Mathematics, on the other hand, I loved. That's what made me choose Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) and ultimately, aim for the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE).
I appeared for JEE Main and JEE Advanced last year and secured a rank of 11,415 in Advanced. The decision to pursue engineering and go to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) wasn't some dramatic moment of clarity. It was more like a slow build-up of curiosity, fascination, and a desire to prove to myself that I could do it. That said, it wasn't a smooth journey. There were times I was completely overwhelmed, especially in Class 11. I doubted myself constantly. My grades weren't great, and anxiety got the better of me more often than I'd like to admit. But my parents – they never gave up on me. Their belief kept me going.
When it came to choosing a branch, I knew I wanted one of the older IITs. My rank got me options like Chemical and Mechanical. Chemistry had always been my weakest subject, so Mechanical it was – after lots of conversations with seniors and mentors.
I joined IIT Guwahati in July 2024. It was the first time I was going to live away from home. I kept it together until the moment my parents were about to get into their cab – and then the tears just wouldn't stop. It's a bittersweet kind of independence – liberating, but lonely sometimes.
But adjusting happened faster than I expected. During the first week, on a campus tour, I met three girls – Idhaa, Anushka, and Khyati – and I just knew they were going to be my people. They have been more than just friends. With them by my side, I stopped missing home quite as much.
The campus itself is stunning – lakes, greenery, even friendly animals. The weather, though, was completely unforgiving in the beginning. As for mess food – it's okay. Nothing fancy, but it keeps you going.
I got involved in a bunch of clubs. Lumiere, the film club, was my first love – I auditioned for fun and got selected. Later, I joined the dance club too. During the vacations, I also got into CNA (Consulting and Analytics), FEC (Finance and Economics), and SWC (Students' Web Committee). These clubs gave me not just learning opportunities, but also meaningful connections with seniors who've been amazing mentors and friends.
In December 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of the Inter-IIT Cultural Meet at IIT Patna. I was one of the actors in the 51-hour film-making challenge. It was intense, exciting, and unforgettable.
My daily routine revolves around classes and labs, with sports activity sessions in the evenings. It gets exhausting, especially in this weather, but I've adjusted. I also love art – sketching anime, cartoon characters, and mandalas – it's my way of unwinding.
Being at IIT felt like a dream for so long that now that I'm here, it sometimes feels surreal. But it's also grounding. Everyone around me is so talented – it's inspiring and occasionally overwhelming. I've learned that the sky truly is the limit. Opportunities come your way, but it's up to you to grab them.
Our professors are genuinely passionate about teaching, and while labs can be exhausting, they're where some of my best memories come from.
From what I have heard from friends about other colleges, I feel IITs, in contrast, offer this unique ecosystem where you can grow in every direction: technical, cultural, sports, and leadership. You just have to put yourself out there.
That said, I do think the schedule could be a little less intense. It feels like everyone's always doing something – and that pressure can build up. Oh, and I wouldn't mind a change in the mess food menu either, especially lunch!
One of the most wholesome moments I remember was when my friends and I were coming back from Khokha, our on-campus market. At the gate, we told the security guard, 'Baido, tumi khub duniya,' which means 'Didi, you're very pretty' in Assamese. Her face lit up with the biggest smile – it was such a simple thing, but it made us all so happy.
I have realised that moments like that – the small, unplanned ones – make life at IIT Guwahati so special.
I am not sure exactly where life will take me after my BTech, but I know I want to make my parents proud. I have always had an interest in the business side of things, so an MBA might be on the cards. Whatever I do, I just want to look back and feel that I made the most of this time – the people, the experiences, the growth.
To anyone reading this who's preparing for JEE or dreaming of being in an IIT: it's okay to be scared. It's okay to doubt yourself sometimes. But don't let that stop you. You have it in you – just keep going.