Raja Babu

  From maintaining the utilitarian website with lakhs views to becoming the National Social Service (NSS) & Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), IIT Kanpur's Student Coordinator, my life has been full of ups and downs and never short of a roller coaster ride. I have been living in a hostel away from my family for the past 17 years, and as a consequence, I had a very unusual childhood. It is what made social service seem appealing to me in the first place. I was in class 3 when I was first admitted to a hostel. Soon after, I made an unsuccessful attempt at running away. When I was caught and brought back, I started submitting blank sheets in the exams and intentionally failed. My parents saw through my trick and asked me to repeat the same class until I passed. With no way of escape in sight, I started working on making my stay better. Ironically enough, studies quickly became my best companion. However, I had limited academic guidance, and when I looked around, I found plenty like me.

My name is Raja Babu, from IIT Kanpur. Oops, I think most of you would be knowing me. I feel grateful for the love and support that I received because of my website. A sophomore from CSE IITK, Alok Gautam, contacted me to share my experiences, and I was thinking about what to share. So, I requested him to ask the questions which he wants to get addressed. It is 04:42 AM, and I am sitting on the study table with my love, i.e., my laptop, to give wing to my words. Alok: In short, how was your stay at IIT Kanpur? Raja: On 20 July, I joined the IIT Kanpur family; it was one of the best days of my life. The first week was enjoyable due to the orientation session, but after that, lows & highs became part of life.    Alok: What is your view about the mental health of the students? Raja: After clearing JEE, you joined IIT. You have excellent knowledge in the field of Engineering, but I request you to take care of your health. The environment was stressful & I had also suffered from D

 18/01/2012 I don't quite remember my first day in Vidyamandir, but I know the difference between my level that day and today. For everything I have acquired in my life, for what I am, for where I am today, I owe a lot to vidyamandir. Good morning, everybody present here. On this auspicious day of the 30th foundation day of vidyamandir, I, Raja Babu, being the oldest student of this institute, present here to share my experience of 9 long years in short. When I walked into vidaymandir in 2003, I could barely frame a sentence. I remember my teachers and those in particular who supported me and always landed a helping hand. Leaving behind a couple of bad experiences, I got very helpful teachers who were a great mentor. I was a terrible student; the supports and encouragements I got were exhilarating. Unknowingly, I developed an interest in Science & Technology, and it's just amazing. It's been more than 8 years. I am studying here and have seen many changes in every field