Dreamland IITR : unveiling triumphs and tumbles

I don’t know if I will be able to accrue these 4 years in a memoir or not, but I’ll definitely give it a shot. Before joining college, I always thought of it as a set of KJo’s film; full of romance, drama, action and obviously fights; where everyday is a new adventure, you don’t know what’s gonna happen; where you live yourself every moment. And I will be lying if I say movies are different from reality. Indeed IIT Roorkee was a dreamland that stood up for my every dream.

My Journey I never joined college for being successful; yes, it was in the back of the mind but it was never the first priority. I want to explore whether this excessively open minded girl will be able to fit in or not, I want to try how feels to face failure, I want to know how it is to be among strangers who make you feel like home and fortunately, I lived whole life in these 4 years. I don’t know from where to start? Should I start with my friendships or my learnings or my failures or my trips? Okay… I’ll go with my family.

Taekwondo This is the first and the only group I joined in IITR, I was too lazy to join anything else. I remember there were practice sessions for ‘Colours Trophy’ going on and I didn’t go for practice as I was not in best of my mind. I missed there multiple calls for 3 days continously and didn’t even reply to their messages. I was very scared when I was going for practice on 4th day but the only thing my seniors asked me was “Where were you? Are you okay?” and that was the moment, when I left some part of me there. I owe my first year to this family. From studying for exams, watching movies, doing practice, to having uncountable chapos, we did it all together. Although things were not same after covid, yet this family blessed me with some of the most generous humans who loved me, guided me and supported me a lot. And ya, Groups are like family, they will be your strongest support in these 4 years. If I could give one advice to juniors, I’ll tell them to be a part of atleast 2–3 groups and devote your all to it, you will learn the greatest secrets which I missed. To my Taekwondo family, I have never said but I will forever be grateful for the team and the love that you all bestowed upon me. Undoubtedly, I was pampered like a child here.

Lifelines “From your lifelines” — this was written on one of my birthday presents and this is really the truth. I never wanted to make lifelong friends here but I didn't realise when I got so close to them. Just like our hand has 3 main lines ,my college life was surviving on my three lifelines, especially covid time. Ya, ya.. relax, my life was a cake, definitely, but not smooth and sweet like its surface, it was layered that unfolded itself with time. Sometimes, it was the sweetest, but sometimes it tasted like hell. Everyone messes up things, so did I. Some friends stayed, some left; some expected friendship failed and some unexpected happened; some lovers became ‘just friends’ and some ‘just friends’ came close, and in between, I became who I am. In this fairyland, I met some of the fairies (some male as well) who were more generous and considerate than stories can ever explain; people who stood by me, who fought for me, who showered me with love, who took care of me more than I can ever ask for and who proved that they are ‘just a call away.’ You really mean a lot to me, guyz… ❤

**Trips **Trips are ‘oregano and chilli flakes’ which make your college pizza spicy and enjoyable. You learn a lot when you wake up at 3 am to catch a bus at 5 pm for Chopta (A heaven without nightlife). You become more confident when you can ride the scooty on hills with rain piercing your face and wind taking the helmet away. You laugh for years for the moment when you turned and breath taking breeze took your specs away; or when you were just a minute away from getting killed be your parents..lol. You lay the foundation of lifelong bonds when you sit together to watch the mesmerising sunset or just talk for the whole night without getting bored. You tie the unseen ties when you lay your head on someone lap to take a break from the tiring day. The moments, when my friend gave me his socks because I was shivering and bore cold feet for more than 2 hours, when my friends scolded me for being too careless about myself, when they told me what I mean to them in a stupid game of truth and dare; are lived again and again with the same smile. Trips are the best way to invest time and money.

Learnings May be I am not the right person to tell anyone about groups and clubs but one topic that I mastered is ‘People’ (I am still aiming to do Phd in it). Invest in friendships- this journey is not plain, there will be ditch, hills and rivers as fell. When rivers take you away, hold onto the shore to see if anyone is left behind. When ditches are there, hold your friends tight and jump together. And when you have to climb hills, climb together. Take out time from your busiest days for a tea break. Take out tears from my heavy eyes to ease your heart. Whenever you feel low, just hug someone, it does work as an instant therapy. IITR is home for everyone that stays there, not because of the place but because of the people. Try everything unconditionally, whether you want it or not, you will gain experience. But do remember to make it a habit ‘conciously’. Don’t try to grab everything that comes in your basket but don’t leave anything that take you towards your goal. Don’t sit idle in room, just go for a walk alone, if you don’t have anything. Just remember, everything that is happening around you is teaching something, seize it!!!

The END IIT Roorkee - you gave me much more than what I had expected. You gave me memories, lessons, tests, confidence and my lifelines. You taught me that it’s okay to fall. You taught me that it’s tough but you can always get up. “You made me what I am and I am proud of that.” Sitting under your shade in front of main building where we poured our heart and shared some of our deepest secrets and hardest lessons, will always be my favourite memory of you. You are reflected in me. I will be forever grateful to you for gifting ‘myself’ to me.

For the juniors… “ Take it with smile, live it with heart and give it back multifolds. We are leaving behind the heritage for you, cherish it with all you have and I assure that it will never fail you.”

With this, a lifeless girl signing off as living one !!!