Jaate Jaate
~ Prakhar Surana
1. How would you summarize your life at IITR ?
I’m Prakhar, though most people knew me as Surana. I graduated in 2024 with a degree in ECE, but I am not one of those typical nerdy ECE guys for sure. When I first joined college, the biggest shock for me and my entire batch was having online semester. Initially, it seemed manageable for just one semester, but three semesters had passed, and we were still waiting to step foot on the campus we had worked so hard to get into. We could only protest, using “Reopen College Campus” as our Teams profile picture, hoping for a return to normalcy. To this day, I’m still amazed at how our “COVID batch” managed to complete three semesters in just one year, it’s a thought that still shakes my head.
The only way to step into a leadership role was by becoming the Class Representative, which I did. This experience catalysed my interest in taking on more responsibilities and managerial roles throughout my college journey. I was part of NCC, UBA, E-cell (for a short span), ECSS, and Culinary Club. However, it was UBA that had the most significant impact on me, shaping not just my college experience but also my personality. I can easily say that I cannot talk about my college life without having UBA recited.
After three long semesters, our ‘cursed’ batch finally get on campus. The winter of 2021 was the best winter of my life, a full month holiday at IITR. As part of UBA, I went to several village visits, meeting in person the people we had only spoken to over calls before. The 4th semester flew by, and then we were forced into the chaos of internship season, a time that tested us all. I still remember heading to a senior’s room after my first internship test, crying and telling them, “Mujhse question bane hi nahi, ECE bolke EE ka paper de dia, baithna hi nahi intern season me.” To which his response was: “Baith ja, ho jaega” And, as on the next day I got shortlisted for that same interview. Though unprepared, that interview was the spark and eventually, I got an offer from my dream company.
The 5th semester passed with a bunch of solo and group trips, while the 6th semester was a roller-coaster ride for me, with the industrial visit to Goa being a highlight. But it was also a hectic time, one that piled on a lot of pressure, leading to some mental breakdowns. Thankfully, my friends were always there to support me. The summer of 2023 marked my introduction to the corporate world, and it was a great experience.
Entering the 7th semester was difficult to digest as there were no seniors left to guide us; we were finally in our final year. I received a PPO, but the focus shifted to helping friends navigate through probably the worst placement season since we started college. The 8th semester brought the bittersweet realization that our time at IITR was coming to an end. Despite having a bucket list, there were/are still a few unchecked things. We made the most of our remaining time with trips, short treks, and countless memories, including an “accidental” one. Late-night walks, gossips, games, night outs, and random trips to Haridwar, they were all coming to an end, but they’re memories I’ll cherish forever.
2. What did you feel / think the first time you heard about UBA?
UBA was surely one of the groups that I wanted to join in my first year, Since I was brought up in a semi-urban locality till I was 13. With both of my parents being teachers, I often heard stories about the challenges in government schools — limited facilities, lack of awareness, and the struggles students faced due to a lack of guidance.
From the very beginning, I was actively engaged in UBA as a part of team Chandpur, which made it smoother for me. For me, UBA wasn’t just a platform to share the knowledge I had but an opportunity to grow personally. Without even realizing it, I developed crucial soft skills, learning from everyone — seniors, juniors, and peers. If today I know how to manage and care for people, it’s all because of the way of doing things I inherited from my seniors.
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Through UBA, I worked across various domains, including agriculture, health, education, women’s employment etc. Conversations with officers, self-help group members, students, and village leaders made me understand the immense potential for change. All it takes is a spark to ignite action.
3. What is your biggest takeaway being a part of team UBA?
Some of the key takeaways from UBA:
- Working as a team: UBA has always helped me know about the importance of team work and it would really help you too once you step in the world of corporate or any administrative job
- Respecting ideas and execution freedom: College is a pool of talent where everyone can contribute great ideas. Though your initial proposal may get rejected, if you have a strong plan, you can still make it happen.
- Unity in diversity: People coming from different backgrounds, having totally different areas of interests, different career plans, different ideas, but only one common thing; the motivation to do something for the society helps them work together strongly.
- Trips: Village visits are fine, but the yearly trips, trekking together, creating endless memories, stories and the fun, some of things I’ll cherish forever.
- Parties, Chapos, Nightouts and Mafia Nights: I really don’t need to give an explanation for this.
4. Any quote you cherish or advice you would like to share ?
“Explore as much as you can, help people whenever you can, and contribute in any way you can. BTs are just temporary in college life. What lasts are the good memories of having fun. So, In the end, “जाते जाते” सिर्फ अच्छी यादें रहेंगी, और कुछ नहीं।”
5. Anything else you would like to share?
Wishing all the juniors a great journey at UBA both formally and informally. Try to have more interaction with people outside your village team! Here’s my final “official” goodbye to UBA fam and my Chandpur/Gopalpur Fam! -Signing Off, Surana
