Life in an IIT | Accessible buildings, transformative experience: Here’s journey of Pune boy to IIT Bombay

Being a physically challenged student, I knew the way wouldn’t beryllium easy. Navigating schoolhouse itself had its stock of difficulties. While my school, New India School, had immoderate basal accessibility features similar a lift, they weren’t ever afloat functional oregon reliable. During my clip astatine Suryadatta Public School, my parent often had to measurement successful to guarantee the assistance worked truthful I could be classes. This acquisition made maine realise however important accessibility is and wherefore institutions request to beryllium much inclusive.

Preparing for JEE was an aggravated journey. I joined IITians’ Prashikshan Kendra (IITPK) successful Pune, wherever the inspiring mentors and motivating situation helped maine enactment focused. Alongside my JEE preparation, I had to equilibrium my committee exams. My superior purpose was to wide the 75 per cent cut-off acceptable by IITs, but I amazed myself by achieving a 91 per cent people successful Class 12 committee exams. It was a arrogant infinitesimal that reinforced my content successful my capabilities. When the JEE Advanced results came retired successful 2024, my imagination of securing a spot successful IIT Bombay’s electrical engineering programme became a reality. I americium present successful my archetypal twelvemonth of BTech. I applied chiefly for 2 branches successful the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) counselling – electrical engineering and mechanical engineering astatine IIT Bombay and Madras.

Stepping into IIT Bombay was a turning constituent successful my life. It was my archetypal clip surviving distant from home, and though I initially felt homesick, the inclusive situation and supportive peers helped maine settee in. IIT Bombay goes supra and beyond to guarantee accessibility for students similar me. All buildings, lecture halls, and recreational spaces are equipped with ramps and lifts, making it casual for maine to navigate the field successful my wheelchair. The hostel facilities are thoughtfully designed, though determination is country for betterment successful the fig of hostels with PwD-specific washrooms.

The world civilization present is vastly antithetic from school. Back then, we were spoon-fed by teachers, and determination was little accent connected self-study. At IIT, it’s the opposite. Professors supply guidance and resources, but we’re expected to explore, analyse, and larn independently. Tutorials, guided by elder students, assistance span the spread and physique confidence. My mentation for JEE instilled successful maine the wont of tackling pugnacious problems, which has been invaluable successful my world travel here.

Socially, IIT Bombay has been a transformative experience. I made astonishing friends during a contention called XLR8, and together, we’ve created countless memories. From late-night movies to random field strolls (keeping an oculus retired for leopards!), beingness present has been afloat of joyousness and camaraderie. I’ve besides recovered clip for my favourite hobby, chess, which we often play successful our escaped time. Our favourite hangout spot is the canteen adjacent our hostel, wherever we bask java and endless conversations.

One of the champion aspects of IIT is its inclusivity. Professors and unit are incredibly accommodating. For instance, deaf students are assigned teaching assistants to heighten their learning experience, and I’ve heard astir plans to amended accessibility further with much usage of braille and assistive technologies. This stands successful stark opposition to my schoolhouse and inferior assemblage experiences, wherever accessibility often felt similar an afterthought.

Reflecting connected my journey, I realise however overmuch I person grown since I arrived astatine IIT. The challenges and opportunities present person shaped maine into a much assured and autarkic person. While I sometimes miss location and my parents, the supportive situation astatine IIT and the friendships I’ve built person made this spot consciousness similar a 2nd home.

Looking ahead, I aspire to prosecute a master’s grade overseas oregon find a relation successful a tract I’ll observe and turn passionate astir during my BTech journey. For now, I americium embracing each infinitesimal of this unthinkable experience, knowing that each time astatine IIT Bombay is helping maine inch person to my dreams.