Interview of Mr. Gautam Kumar

Q. Sir, please tell something about yourself, your journey.

A. [professional journey] In 1992,I had completed my Engineering and then I started my job. I did my MBA from IMT, Ghaziabad. I used to work in HCL and it has given me a platform where a person learn how to change the target. We used to work on monthly not weekly target. We have to work on every Friday evening and achieve our target, same thing we have to achieve next week also. On Saturday we have a meeting with board members which was pathetic because if you do something which they don’t like then you will be in trouble. If you have your own set of business modules then you can enjoy your quality time. That’s the reason today, I am telling everybody don’t be a Job seeker, it is not going to help you. In cooperate world there are many ups and downs. From initial stage a person should have focus on career building as they don’t have liabilities and priorities. I have a daughter who is studying medical in Manipal, I tell her don’t be hurry, take time.

Everywhere you will face competition and try to build Up your career.

Q. Sir, How did you manage your emotional balance when you have so much Competition in IT. How do you maintain your position?

A.That is what I am today. I give you a reason – when you are working with cooperate world, something is there in your hand, what is your role, what portfolio you are carrying. Most important thing are you doing justice with yourself. Whatever happens tomorrow you have to be confident

to face the challenges.

Q. Failure and rejection are part of life, you have also faced

It. How do you overcome it?

A.    Always learn from your failure, try to minimise your same mistake which should not happen again.  If you don’t make mistake then how can you learn to grow and have development in yourself, learning after having failure is good.

Credits

Reporters: Himadri Singh and Trushita Agarwal

Photographer: Vishakha Gupta

An interview with Ms Roshni Misbah (A Hijabi biker).

Q: Ma'am, you saved money for your first bike. So what were your feelings when you bought it and had your ride on it?

A: I saved it for a 150 CC actually, My dad added some money and I got a 250 CC. Riding a motor cycle was always on my mind and I had waited for 6 years. I had my first ride when I was in the 9th grade. Riding has always thrilled and having my own motorcycle was even better. It was also like a therapy for me as I was going through a rough patch. It  was fantastic.

Q: People usually have  stereotypical  mindset when it comes to women riding motorcycles. Can you share with us an incident that first revealed to you this adverse mindset?

A: OK, there have been really good incidences and some bad incidences, as such. I would like to share one of the good ones. There are more than 100 girls riding motorcycles in Delhi  itself, but it’s a very a rare sight, a girl riding a sports bike. Once I was at the traffic red light and a student in a school bus started shouting "Arrey  Arrey Arrey Didi  Didi Didi,  please lift the visor ",and the whole bus started shouting and the students started clapping. They really got excited and then all people in the cars, bikes, everyone there started looking at me, everyone gave way to me to move forward and that was really nice.

Q:Ma'am your family, except your father, was not very supportive with regards to your passion. So what gave you the courage to go on despite that?

A: Not really the family, but the friends and society, they were not really okay with me riding a motorcycle. My parents were really supportive, whatever the obstacles that came, my father used to say that, let my daughter do whatever she wants to do.

Q: I believe your fathers bike must have been the first one which you rode, so what role has he played in your life?

A:  My dad has been like a role model to me. Not just in the biking but I have learned everything from him. Biking is like in my genes, because my mother was also enthusiastic about cars and speed. So I think that’s  the combination I got.

Q: When you have girls come up to you and praise you for your work, how does it feel to have them look upon you as their role model?

A: It feels fantastic, it feels great, and sometimes I feel demotivated, but when I see those girls who started riding bikes after seeing me,. Moreover I  also ride bikes for a cause that is education for girls. So all these  gives me good vibes and motivates me to carry on.

Q: People have given you the title of ‘hijabi biker’. So what is your take on it?

A: Hijab is a very wide concept. To be recognized as a hijabi biker is very great. But I don’t say that I am a hijabi biker.

Q: What profession line would you like to carry on in future?

A: I will like to carry on my passion further,  that is motorcycling. Whatever studies I am currently pursuing, are  for  my own  interest. I would like to become  alma, that is a Islamic scholar who preaches.

Q: It is very difficult to pursue both your passion and studies. So how do you maintain balance between the two?

A: I try juggling my passion and studies together, by riding to my college on my bike , as my college is 20 km away from my home. So that becomes quite a good ride for me, riding 40 kms a day.

Q: What are some of the changes that you like to see in mentality of a common people.  What is your message to the community?

A: Society has always been stereotype, mean , conservative and  oppressed . Changes that I would like to see  in them is that not judge a  book by its cover and  as I said in ted talk Don’t judge me by what I am wearing,  my external attire and all . My motorcycle    don’t discriminate. So why are we discriminating. My bike just knows my skills and it does not know  who is under the helmet.  My message is for the family and their parents just keep supporting your child and   they will  surely succeed one day.

Credits

Reporters: Vishakha Gupta and Ritika Agarwal

Photographer: Mahima Gupta

Interview of Mr Gaurav Yadav, alumni of IIITM Gwalior.

Q. Sir, can you please tell us something about yourself?

A. First of all, I think I should introduce myself, I am Gaurav, an IPG 2008-13 batch pass-out. When I joined this institute I can say I was dumb because you guys are looking so smart that if I compare myself back then with you, I will give myself 4 marks and you 7 out of 10. In the first year, I was not that open that I could have taken someone's interview.I didn't have that much courage. I was a localite so I was not staying in the hostel. I used to attend classes and then go home by bike. After some time I realized that these things are not that hectic and everyone has to go through it. It is actually beneficial, You get to know different kinds of people and personalities. Because of this, you would be able to face interviews easily and do things in a systematic manner. Here in the institute, you will get a lot of time, four or five classes would be there in the day that may get canceled sometimes and you would be free at night and on saturdays and sundays. You can give all this time for your complete development. Just focus on your skill development because ultimately that's the thing that pays you. Try to keep your CGPA above 7.5 and then it won't be an issue because it's just a starting point criteria and nothing else. After that just try to develop your skills so that no one can deny that you have potential. 

Q. How did you manage to develop your personality over the period of five years?

A. In the first and second year, I worked a lot on my personality. When I came to this institute I was afraid to talk to people and if someone asked me questions I would stammer because I had fear in my mind. To overcome this fear I thought to myself that the person in front of me is just a normal person, He is not some dracula or vampire who will eat you up. He may have some perception, there is a possibility that for him I may be hundred percent right or hundred percent wrong, but it won't matter to me, I am in front of that person, whether he likes me or not it doesn't matter at all.

Q. Any memorable moments that you had with your friends in this institute?

A. At the initial time I invested a lot of time on my development, so I didn't invest any time on cafeteria or canteen. Back then SH 211 was not there and there were only two classrooms. Classes used to get canceled a lot because of insufficient seats. We had to coop up by ourselves. In tests questions come only from what the teacher teaches, its the main beauty of autonomous institutes. If the teacher teaches four pages, questions have to come from that only and rest you can clear somehow. Initial two years I invested on my development only. Back then the main gate was also open, if you go out at 2 A.M nobody will ask you where you are going and also you didn't need to make any entry in any register. If you had a two wheeler you could come in and go out anytime, there were no restrictions at all. Girls were allowed to go out till 10 P.M. For boys there was no restrictions at all. We used to go out at 1 A.M and spend two hours at a dhaba. The most memorable moments were the night walks with friends. A lot of knowledge interchange was there because there were people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Q. How did you manage to interact with your seniors?

A. I think you will initially have the system that first years are made to reside in separate hostels, for girls only single hostel is there. At that time interactions happened usually during night, not formally but informally.

Q.Do you believe that those interactions helped your personality development?

A.Frankly speaking, I didn't get involved in such kind of interactions much. Personally I don't think that those interactions help you develop your interpersonal skills or something, of course you will get some positive things and added values but for that points how much you are paying in terms of various things I don't know so I can not comment on that. In my opinion if you can do things on your own that's the best.

Q. Sir could you give us a last message before you leave so that we could share it with our peers especially about learning C language?

A. C language is the basic, the main logic for many programs is built using that only. If you want to build any system logically you have to use C at the backend. You have to mug up some things like loops because in all languages the same things will come again and again so if you learn it once and master it, you will be able to learn any language whether it's Java, C++ or something else. Just the Syntax will differ a little. I am saying this because I don't want you to repeat the same mistakes that we did i.e wasting our time. I am not saying don't go out or don't hangout, this is the part of the life you enjoy the most and the moments will be memorable for lifetime so enjoy it but for professional part plan it, at least give two hours searching study related things on internet. Internet speed is too good, when you go out from here you will realize that you have to pay a lot to get that much speed. You have a lot of resources so utilize it, because if you gain knowledge that never goes to waste. So be knowledgeable that's the final message.

Credits

Reporters: Akansha Tiwari and Rucha Pallewar

Photographer: MNS NIshidha

Interview of Mr Pranay SIngh, Scientist in Data Analysis at CSIR Lab.

Q.     Sir, tell me something about you?

Ø  My name is Pranay Singh. I was an IPG student (2006-2011). I started my career in teaching at Kota for IITJEE .Initially, I joined Resonance then Aakash and then I spent a few months in FIITJEE. Then I worked in CSIR Lab as a scientist in data analysis. Presently I am pursuing my PhD as after doctorate I can be a faculty anywhere and I would be able teach students. Actually, I want to contribute something for the betterment of education system.

Q.     Sir, how was your college life at IIITM?

Ø  Frankly speaking at our time there was no MDP, no swimming pool, no central library and only one Girls Hostel and a Boys hostel. Also, the campus at our time was not as great as of now. At our time lots of experiments were being done with the education system of the college. Moreover, only IT branch was there at that time.

Q.     Sir, which sport fascinated you most?

Ø  Though I was not very good at sports but in my free time I liked to play Badminton. At times I liked to go to GYM. Also, I was very good in designing and decoration. In my college life I was the head of decoration and designing for the fests like AURORA & UTSAV.I was not a hardcore programmer. I was a 6 pointer only. But after graduation I realized CGPA hardly matters, if you have the core knowledge of your field. But still I would suggest you to take studies seriously as, if you are a good performer then you don’t need any justification.

  Q. Sir how was your experience about Gwalior?

Ø  At our time there were around 98 students. After orientation we explored Gwalior. We first visited Scindia Palace and also Sun Temple but we were not able to visit the Fort. I had lots of new experiences in my first year as I was away from home for the first time and it took me a while to adapt to the atmosphere here.

Q. Sir any advice or any experience you need to share with the students of        IIITM?

Ø  Here in IIITM you can compete with the other good institutions of our country because IIITM’s infrastructure and quality of faculty is quite well and as the bright minds come here so you will have great competitive environment here as well. And my advice to all of you is to attend your classes seriously and make sure not to get distracted and then I am sure you all will do wonders. And focus on studies. And at last I would just say:

                                             “Get into the journey of IIITM”.

Credits

Reporters: Trushita Agarwal and TSM Pragnya

Photographer: NSM Nishidha

Interview of Mr RK Guha,prof. at SLIET, alumni of IIT Kanpur.

Q. What you think we can do for India's development?

 A. India can develop only if we stop thinking about myself and uplift our mindset beyond the thresholds of it. Take an example of a house, house can be a beautiful place to live in only if each and every member think and work for it's maintenance.Similarly , India has a great diversity where people from different religion and culture reside all together. All these people need to come together and work for India's all round development.

Q. What inspired you to become a teacher?

A. My teacher, he inspired me to become a teacher. When I was in my BSc. class, our teacher taught us very well but he had a problem in his throat and couldn't speak loud. So for me, it was a troublesome time to always grab the first seat from among a classroom of 50 students. That day, I promised myself that I would become a teacher like him and ensure that my voice is loud enough for the last bencher to hear it too.I never indulged myself in becoming a bank official or IAS officer. I did my BSc. ,MSc. and PhD just to become a lecturer. My aim was that each and every student, when they leave the institute, they must say that yes, we had an amazing mathematics teacher.

Q. Sir, what kind of students do you like?

 A. Eventually I like those students who points out my mistakes. That means the student is learning      something who can point out a teacher's mistake. I got this thing from Mr Chandra Vidyasagar and follow the same aspect in my life too.

Q. Sir,Tell us something about your operational research?

 A. Presently I am not working on it but let me explain you what it is. Operational research is nothing but just a route to minimise the loss and maximise the profit. It is a mean to optimise the consumption of resources with output being maximum. It is the best way by which we can minimise the efforts to get maximum output.

 Q. Sir, any words you would like to quote for our institute?

A. I'm familiar with this institute. I've been here for five times and it is one of my favourite institute. It is an honour for me to be a part of Independence Day celebration in the institute.

Credits


Reporters: Trushita Agarwal and T.S.M Pragnya
Photographer: Ruchika Agarwal

Interview of Mr Reapon Tikoo, CEO, Powai Labs

                

                                          Mr. Reapon Tikoo(2nd from right) along with our team members

Q.How did an IIT education help you to meet your career goals? 

A.It was a good institute,in a sense that they offered us a lot of freedom,whether it was about expressing our thoughts  or doing or building something.I believe prime purpose of education is to set our mind free but ironically,it often ends up us compartmentalized to a narrow niche.For example,If I want to be civil engineer,I get confined to civil engineering or if I want to be a heart surgeon,I will have to specialize in heart surgery.The current model of education is more focussed on the ROI,people choose an educational field or an institute based on how 'marketable' it is.Instead of being interested in the process of learning,they want to get an IIM or an IIT brand 'tag' to adorn their resume which can help them in the job market.Education today has confined to placements and pay packages.This problem cannot be solved by the students.After all,this is what the society wants everyone to aspire for.An education today means sense of entitlement.For example,if want to an MBBS Doctor,I aspire that I'll wear a white gown,I'll make a lots of money, and everyone will call me 'Doctor Saheb' but finally you have to do something,solve problems..The children of industrialists are not studying here,nor do children of politicians.Most of us here are children of government employees or small traders or simply middle class people who see education as a way to enrich the quality of life.This is a very risk averse attitude,everyone wants a Mercedes or a BMW but they don't understand what it takes to be there.

Q.You completed your masters from The London School of Economics and Social Sciences.What would you suggest someone who aspires to attend this highly reputed institution?

A.If you can afford to pay the fees,you can simply pay and attend.You'll have to apply for a scholarship otherwise.Since my father couldn't afford to,I attended on a scholarship.It's as simple as that.

Q.What had you studied there ?

A.I had taken courses in a department called 'European Studies'.I had also studied labour laws and industrial relations.These colleges offer a lot of flexibility.You can choose which courses to attend.You are not bounded to a certain program or department.As I mentioned earlier,education actually takes us away from what we're really looking for.I would've ended up being insane if I had not studied there.

Q.Can you even select your teacher there?

A.No,you can't select your teacher though.

Q.You mentioned earlier that you had attended the LSE on a scholarship.According to a recent data,around 25000 students from 145 countries had applied for it and just 700 got selected.How your education at IIT helped you build your leadership skills as they mainly look for them?

A.I mainly learnt these skills from my father.I'll give all credits to him.

Q.What had they asked in the interview,anything specific about leadership skills?

A.I do not really remember what they had asked me but I had answered the same way as I'm doing now.They were more interested in knowing what I would want to do,about my possible ventures,how I would cope with a failed one,etc.

Q.What percentage of your "Wish List" has been completed?

A.I am really content with myself.I've no desires to be honest.I realised that whatever I had desired was not at all relevant.When I used to be a young boy,playing in the sun was really important but as I grew up,at some stage,It was quite important for me to meet to meet my fiancee.It depends,I mean your wishes change at every stage of life.What is relevant today may not be so tomorrow.I just do what I have to do.I am not afraid of outcomes.Wishes bring unhappiness,if you achieve something your happiness will be zero after it is fulfilled while in case you don't, you'll be unhappy.You'll be unhappy either way.Thats why I do not desire anything anymore.Perhaps a good night's sleep is the only thing I desire.

Q.Can you please tell us more about the research at Powai labs,specifically Image?

A. We've built a product which allows us to build a prototype of a processor.We've also built the first "Make in india" made in India chip which is right now being tested for the GPS of ISRO.

Q.When had you started your JEE prep?

A.Honestly,I haven't been a very good student.I've never been interested in academics.I've always been more interested about doing things.I was never a career-focused student.

Q.You've won a lot of medals in sports.Can you tell us more about your sporting achievements?

A. Yes,I was a state champion in cycling and I had crossed a lake,riding around 11.2 kilometeres.I've always been more into doing things.

Q.You had a key role with GTL limited.Why did you decide to launch your own startup instead of keeping up with your job?

A.Yes,I was doing quite well there.They were paying me a good salary but I wasn't feeling happy from within.You have feel good with yourself.You've to live with yourself,after all.You can get another job which is high paying but its not necessary to make you happy.Same situation arises at the time of your marriage or simply every step of your life where you've to decide between your happiness and the ideal perception of the world.Happiness is of utmost importance and is beyond placements or pay packages or simply anything.

Q.How was the experience at The LSE different from IIT Bombay?

A.You get to explore people from different cultural backgrounds,you get to know more about the world.Most people here tend to assume their cultural background to be the best but when you meet people hailing from different cultures,you realize how big the world is and no culture is better than the other.They're all different and they're all good.I believe there is more in common with humans than the differences over which they fight for.But there is more of gender equality in the western world and I think we won't go  a lot further if it is not brought into the picture.It'll have to come from men though, as women've always advocated for it.

Credits
Reporters: Varun V & Himanshi Kalra
Photographer: MNS Nishidha

Is Our Country Really Free?

                  

                                             

“Oh the girl is ridiculous….she doesn’t know how to behave properly….”, “He is of another religion... if you will get into his company, you will become like him..”

India’s 70 yrs of independence and yet not free ironically. Independence of the nation has limited itself to the paper. Our constitution talks about equality at various levels but when you lift your eyes, you find nothing. Our country is unable to set itself free from this despite of various efforts made. When we try to seek  the root cause of the problems, what we find is that the problem is in the basic mindset of the people. 

Hindu – Muslim riots still persist. A girl still cannot move freely outside late at night. Giving reservation seats in various organizations and metro is not the solution. Practically, it is not needed as well. In fact, these things create division.

Other major problem that is faced by our country is CORRUPTION which is just a fruit ripened by the tree of unhealthy mindset. Money rules India. It has established itself in the Indian government completely. Its adverse effect can be seen on the education system as well. It is eating away our future. This further adds to the reason for high rate of illiteracy in India.

Our country is yet not free in real sense. Our nation cannot grow and prosper until and unless we as citizens do not understand our duty towards it. There is a need for us to change our basic ideology. We represent the nation and nation represents us. As we celebrate this Independence Day lets  take a pledge together that we as responsible citizens of the country will take initiatives towards welfare of India. As a very first step we should begin the change in ourselves as it is rightly said “BE THE CHANGE YOU  WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” 

-Rini Pandey(2017 IPG-MTECH 072)