I just wanted to share few of my thoughts and memories about my beloved friends of 2008 Batch. I feel my H-1 life would be incomplete if I didn’t do this. Due to some unavoidable circumstances I could not able to write before the valfi. I am attaching this as a file and I believe it will be a source of inspiration for the current/future residents of H-1. 2008 batch: Firstly, after their first year, without any demand, they stayed back in H-1, even when their close friends preferred to move to H-12/13 (due to single room). They stayed in sharing basis for two years even when they were in the council. This batch is special for Hostel -1 as everyone did something amazing for this hostel.
I love to start from 2nd wing 1st floor.
Makarand Kane (Room No 123):
I believe,
Mak will make it possible!
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TejVora (Room No 128):
Tak tak tak… Teejjj…..Nav Bhajgaya….Breakfast time oren….
Haan sir…paanj minute me utron..
Active, Jovial and dynamic sportsman. H-1’s representation in the Hockey GC’s in the past years is mainly on the interest of this gentle man. Apart from other games, he strongly insists and gives importance to our National game. This shows his National spirit. Many of our H-1 inmates first time played Hockey in their life because of him. Tej don’t get sleep if hockey GC is nearby. He also likes “Yo..Yo” game. Through him I too got an opportunity to practice that game. His friend’s circle at least learned one Japanese word from him. He accompanied Abhisek (The music legend) for repairing H-1’s musical instruments during council 2008. Without laughing, he makes everyone around him laugh. While chating with him we can get atleast one useful information. Whenever he get chance, he used to explain the functioning of hostel council by “There’s a hole in the bucket…” Being a sports co in the council 2009-10 he carried his responsibilities at most care. Tej strongly believes ‘idle mind is devil’s workshop’ and so he always do something in his room. By having him as my neighbor I enjoyed the stay.
In my dictionary,
Tejvora is the synonymous for (H-1)ockey.
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Krishnan. S (Room No 128):
Simple, spiritual, serious, sincere and great sportsman. He used to take photos of every hostel events and without any delay send to inmates through ‘Picasa’. Hostel camera was rarely used as the council had confidence that Krishnan will do it. The bird view photos which he took during Valfi 2009 was liked (not Fb’ like’ as that time facebook was not famous) by many. As like Tej for Hockey, Krishnan is for Cricket. Cricket scene of Hostel-1 took a great change because of Krishnan. Not only in the Cricket Gc’s, he also played vital role in motivating H-1 B Tech Freshers for Freshiza. He improved the pride of H-1 by being an inter IIT cricket player. Although he was not in the council at any time, he did remarkable contribution for the hostel. He was also active in institutes’s Group for Rural Activities and attended few camps. Krishnan was also active in Tamil Cultural Association programs. The Quiz program he conducted during TCA 2010 was excellent.
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Nitin Soni (Room No 130):
Devotional, kind by heart and good leader. He served for H-1as the member of cultural welfare team during council 2008-09 and as General Secretary for council 2009-10. Fine arts scene of H-1 was known at institute level through his contribution in PAFs, exhibitions and National level participation. The ‘Passing out color’ award which he received recently at institute level is the proof for his achievement. He designed the hostel T-shirt during council 2008. Today H-1 people are enjoying the privatized mess, which reduced council’s burden; mess bill etc., The backbone behind the mess privatization was this great man. He attended ‘n’ number of late night prolonged meetings with HCU chair at chemistry department to finalize rules, quotations etc., Once I too accompanied him for a meeting, as it get delayed, he called an auto to be on time and paid from his own pocket.
Unlike other hostels, H-1 has the tradition of celebrating Ganesh Pooja with Eco friendly Ganesh. Nitin is the one who made it for past three years. During Ganesh pooja 2010, I joined him to collect clay from IDC. As the cost was high for small quantity, he suggested to get from Powai Lake through H-1 gardener. While making the idol, I was with him till dinner time (just sitting beside). He skipped dinner and continued the idol making. Next day morning, to my surprise, he came up with beautiful idol. Came to know he skipped his sleep as well.
He also used to make Ravan for Dusshera celebration in H-1. People liked even ‘Ravan’ as it was made by Nitin.
When I left IIT, Nitin send me a sms ‘Hppy jurny sir, Akela chhod k ja rahe ho. Wing hamara kitna lively tha aap k kaaran. 125 was a temple 4 me. Missing u a lot. Best wishes 4 d forthcmng life.’
Nitin, I lived in this wing for past 5 years and came across many wing mates from Phd, Som and MTech. But the most joyful year I had was only the last year when you guys (Mak, Manu, Tej, Krishnan, You, Rohit, Rahul) occupied this wing. Someone said ‘Friend in hand is better than brother far away’. I am not born with brother. But the love and affection shown by you guys are more than a brother. I am lucky that I met you all in my life and love to keep up forever.
Nitin! The enligHtened ONE!
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Rohit Kamath (Room No 132):
Jovial, honest, devotional and great leader. He is an innocent politician. He worked wholeheartedly for the development of cultural scene of H-1. Just after few days of his H-1 life, when he came back to hostel after the class, noticed people doing decoration for next day’s Ganesh pooja celebration. He volunteered himself and helped us. Fresher (even seniors) to come forward for hostel activities was rare on those days (even these days, I believe). Hostel spirit budded on Rohit by the grace of Lord Ganesh. During council 2008, he helped me in Gsec activities by drafting minutes of the meetings, action items, letters to institute authorities etc., I had in mind that he should be my successor in the next council. Due to unknown reason it didn’t happened. Anyhow Nitin became Gsec and Rohit became Cult Co and both carried their roles well.
PAF for H-1 was Paying Arts Festival in the past as H-1 just gives its monitory share to the team and never involve in any activities. Rohit was PAF OC during council 2008. H-1 realized PAF as Performance Arts Festival only because of this great leader. On PAF orientation day, he and his team decorated the corridor beside lower TV room with Rangoli and color papers to attract the inmates. 1st time I witnessed full rush (As like during India- Pak cricket match) in the lower TV room, that too for PAF purpose. He used to send repeated mails, sms et., He personally collected old newspapers from inmates rooms for ‘Prod’. The pain which he took was fruitful as H-1 along with H-2, H-4 and H-13 won PAF (Arthur road). From then every year H-1 shows interest in PAF.
As a Cult Co during council 2009-10, he ensured participation from H-1 at all institute level events like creative writing, dramatics, photography etc.,Before 2008 the cultural scene of H-1 was limited to intra hostel events, picnics and T-shirt. Along with Abhisek, after the entry of Rohit, Nitin, Iman, Sachin, Anand Pratik and others, institute level attraction towards H-1 culture was attained.
Rohit never failed to take loads of snacks when he returns from home. He invited me at all times. He listens with lot of enthu when someone talks to him. We used to have regular discussion on hostel affairs, Academic updates, family etc.,
Rohit! The Cultured Hero of Hostel-1!
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Rahul Agrawal (Room No 135):
Tak tak tak….Rahul….Good morning… Good morning Sir….
The one word sufficient to define Rahul is, He is Down-to-Earth person. He served to H-1 as Maint secy during council 2009-10 and as member of Anubhooti-09 team. During soapbox, quoting some situation (to give food for housekeeping personnel or not – as that time mess was not privatized) one inmate asked “whether you will work by heart or by brain”. He answered “I will work by both heart and brain”. Rahul was more concerned about housekeeping personnel. He accompanied Nikunj and the maintenance team did marvelous job during council 09-10.
Rahul extend his helping hand to whomever in need at all times. He likes to listen on spiritualism, hostel affairs. He likes Swami Vivekananda’s 16 point formula to become an ideal student.
Rahul! The vibrant soul!
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Nikunj Bhagat:
Decent and disciplined gentle man. He was in the Maintenance welfare team during council 2008-09, Maint Co during council 09-10. He greatly bothered about the electricity and water wastage. Even today, the chart prepared by him during 2008 helps to direct the switches and fans and helps in saving electricity (pasted near the switch boards in the mess). As a part of his morning walk, he used to have a round throughout the hostel and switch off the lights in the corridor of all floors (in all wings) and in the upper terrace. He took an initiative for installing timers for geysers during his tenure. He was actively involved with the Tech team of H-1. After the election for council 2009 and before the charge handover, just few days before the Valfi 2009, there was an incident of alcohol consumption in the 2nd wing 2nd floor. That time outgoing council was busy in Valfi and hostel activities were monitored by the incoming council. After visualizing the above act, our council members were bit tensed. We called Nikunj and had a discussion. That night (3.4.2009) he send me a sms ‘I know u hv lot of hopes in us. I will try my best not to disappoint you. Good night’. Please consider u in this sms as H-1. Throughout his tenure he and his team maintained the decorum of H-1 in all aspects which bagged him the ‘Best office Bearer’ award. To his humbleness, in the Valfi stage, he shared this award to Maint secys and housekeeping personnels.
During council 09-10, before mess privatization, there was a serious problem in the mess. Maximum number of days there used to be two menu at the same time (the prepared food used to get over before time and the cook prepares new item again). Few senior inmates talked to Nikunj and requested him to convince the mess co for proper action. Apart from maintenance work he supported the mess team in possible means to sort out the problem. Later by God’s grace mess get privatized.
He took at most care in spending the hostel budget and also ensured his co-council members as well taking care in spending people’s money.
Once he had a walk to Hiranandhini and then to area beside IIT. He worried a lot about the complete change in the life style of people just within few km radius. He wrote a mail to few of us asking suggestion for ‘what way we can contribute to make a change’. I am greatly moved by such a great thinking. I am sure, country like us needs people like Nikunj to make the Vision 2020 of Dr. Kalam to make into reality.
We had a collaborative research work. We had regular discussion and shared our knowledge in my lab as well in my room. He is very keen in developing knowledge and research. I used to suggest him to go for PhD. Let us see!
Nikunj hate the people who chat on others in their absence, especially in the mess. We used to have a prolonged discussion on hostel affairs, research, spiritualism, poverty, education system in India, culture and about our families in mess, TV room, corridor, in my room. The recent one which we had was at CST, when I left IIT on 24.3.2011.
Nikunj! The tallest & broadminded gentleman of H-1!
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Iman Mukerjee:
Sportsman, Musician, and gentleman. He was sports secy during council 09-10. He represented H-1 in almost all GCs (I got opportunity to watch when he played Hockey, volleyball, football, cricket and basketball) every year. Probably the only GC event he didn’t participated is Tug of War. He was the Music idol of H-1 during 2008. In the music plant of H-1 he is one of the blossomed flowers. His contribution in insti music events like Swar sandhya showcased music talent of H-1 to the institute community.
As a sports secy he is an organizer.
As a musician he is a cultural person
And ofcourse he is a sportsman
Iman! The all-rounder of H-1!
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Manav Kataria: Unofficially he worked as tech secy during the council 2009-10. The tech scene of H-1 initiated because of this Engineer. He was the man behind for adding Tech secy post in the H-1 council. He regularly gives suggestions for the council and is an active member of H-1 throughout his stay.
Manav, the Man from Manipal!
H-1 should proud of you. Manipal too
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Bhusan Virkar:
He was sports secy during council 2009-10. He was an active player of H-1 volley ball team when H-1 won Volley GC during 2008. He personally went to collect quotations and purchased the poles for H-1 volley ball court and ensured it installed at proper time. Viral Thaker:
Through fine arts at institute and hostel level participation, as a member of Anubhooti team and as member of sports team he contributed to H-1. Sanket Lad:
He served as Comp councilor during council 2009-10. As founder of NGO (Udaan), he motivated H-1 inmates for helping the needy children around IIT. Gautham Shenoy:
Gautam served as Comp secy during council 2009-10. He worked a lot for updating our LAN connections and hostel computer room. Gps Tej
Tej served as mess secy during council 2009-10. He actively encourages and helps the inmates by serving water, juices etc., during different GC events especially during cricket GCs. Krishnan Pandalai served as Library secy during council 2009-10 and ensured the release of Anubhooti-10. He also took steps to create database for library.
Sagar Bokre
Sagar contributed to H-1 by being in the Tech team. He was Paf OC during council 2009-10 . Likewise everyone of 2008 batch did something amazing for H-1. I am sure there was at least few % (may be in single digit) of contribution by council 2008 members in seeding the hostel spirit on them. As always I salute council 2008-09 members for this noble cause. Earlier as well, there were people who contributed in the development of H-1. But most of them were PhDs and they left H-1 at different time. But within few days along with the above legends, other active members of 2009 batch also will leave H-1. I am sure it will create vacuum in the H-1 palace. The current council (2010-11) members as well did a fantastic job. It is now a great challenge before council 2011-12 to maintain the dignity, decorum and glory of H-1. With lot of hopes...bye! My humble request to incoming Gsec and Web and Alumni secy to create a channel for Alumni for maintaining our relations lifelong. In my opinion, H-1 forum is not a proper channel when you get into the professional career.
As ever,
Vijayakumar R.P.
“Unity in Diversity: H-1 Culture”
