Turning old pages at IIT Kharagpur…
“Hall is just another term for a Hostel, get involved in your academics and career, not your Hall of Residence”
Who is this for?
Again, specifically for the newest incoming batches of 1st and 2nd years at KGP, and there is no harm in everyone else giving it a read even if they aren’t the direct target audience
The new perspective hovering around in the market?
With new batches entering the campus and changing dynamics, people have prioritized only quicker outcomes, neglecting the nectar of the long run — Human Relationships
Life is not only about ‘Study — DepC — Study/Code — EP/FP — CDC/MITACS — AI/ML — Code only — Placements’
The actual problem?
The culturally rich legacy of ‘Halls of Residence’ is declining gradually on campus! It is a really sad sight to see because it’s been 74 years since the inception of IIT Kharagpur, but all the alumni who have been through these processes and cultures are thriving in their lives and still recall that water fight amongst their hall wings on their WhatsApp Groups
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Who is at fault?
Precisely, no one here again, neither the senior batches nor the upcoming new batches, but the dynamics need to change, and the baton would soon be in the hands of the junior batches
PUSH — This method was in use till date, but now it is not acting efficiently because you can’t force anyone to do anything, even if it’s for their own goodwill
PULL — Rather than pushing things, frame lucrative alternatives that can pull students to garner the value of human relationships by showing some lucrative benefit — may it be referrals, career help, academic support, or parties and fun
Why is the Hall Culture important?
- Can’t find your shoes before the interview? — Just knock on doors
- Missing your family? — Knock some more doors, have the mess meals together, laughing and giggling with your wingmates
- Bad day? Bad Exams? No shortlists? — Just 10 people in 1 single room and a good Spotify playlist
- Missing festivals and occasions? — Diwali and Illu with your gang can fix everything (Not roaming around, but rather lighting diyas together)
- Pocket Money exhausted? — C/304 got your Nescafe bill covered
- Interview Questions? — Step down one floor and again knock some more doors (This time of your seniors)
What is the middle ground? (Hall-relevant)
Seniors — X efforts to reach out to juniors
Juniors — 100X efforts to reach out to seniors
Minimum Effort Solutions?
1. Hang out together with your living mates for the entire day
2. Eat your meals together without any distractions
3. Pull your wingmates in for your favorite sport, dance event, or hackathon
4. Have a water fight this weekend amidst mid-semester examinations; trust me, it would be worth it :P
P.S. I have exceeded the character limit, hence, I couldn’t add more, but there is a lot to be put out, let’s connect in the comments!
Indebted, Patel Hall of Residence!
