The journey to IITK

(wrote this long back!)

My trip to IITK
July 21, 2007

Mumbai: After much deliberation, stressful visits to doctors and running around, I finally boarded the 2107 Down Lucknow Super Express at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 1625 hrs. I was waved off by my parents (concerned about my perennial sneezing and my food on the train more than the enormous amount of luggage I was carrying ;)) and my chaddi-dost Partha.

The journey in the train was uneventful in the most part. The real fun started as the train neared Kanpur. There was a definite observable pattern; all mud-houses had a particular advertisement painted on them - "Shilpa Banian, Underwear and Jhangiyas". ;) This reminded me very much of the Rupa & Juliet ads in Mumbai. And also of the oft-repeated-and-now-boring PJ - 'agar tum Rupa ke banian pehenoge, toh Rupa kya pehenegi'. So right before stepping foot in the city of Kanpur, the preferred brand of hosiery was made known. ;)

Two observations I made on the way to IITK in the cab:
1. A big signboard and building proudly proclaiming "A.S.S. Degree College, top-ranked institute in Kanpur". Ahem!
2. X-C-Lent English Teaching Class: We know how to tech (sic).

The temperature and humidity was killer. The temperature have only recently dropped to 29-30C from the 34-35C on July 22, thanks in large measure to minute rain showers. It is however, small respite.

IITK from the outset was a great experience. The campus is enormous and for a first time visitor almost overwhelming. Besides the academic buildings, IITK has 9 halls for gentlemen and 2 halls for the ladies, in addition to some hostels (count unknown) for visitors and married students. I was allocated to Hall 7 which is one of the recently built hostels in IITK and hence the quality and construction of the rooms is excellent. My room has all basic amenities and a 3-partitioned window with a view of the garden and the canteen. Right outside is the terrace, from where the sky spreads out its enormous expanse. No skyscrapers, no smoke, dust, just pure natural sky. No stars visible right now because of the clouds, but imagine what a treat the sky would be to watch in winter. ;)

And oh, did I mention the football & hockey ground right next to Hall 7, it is a lush carpet of green. They could probably use it for filming SRK's 'Chak De India'. :P Btw, Hall 7 is also online, www.iitk.ac.in/hall7.

Food as I have told (more like bragged) many of you earlier was never going to be an issue. In 2 days, I've spend a total of 2-3k on room stuff and only about 30 Rs on 6 meals. :) And the quality of the food is excellent as well. I mean a big tall glass of mango shake for Rs 10 wonly. Yummmmmmmmmy samosas for Rs 2. ME LIKEY!

I still await with bated breath my Internet connection, so I feel normal again. Life without email and IM is strangely inadequate somehow (note: this situation has now been alleviated, and hence this post ;)).

My room @ IITK

A virtual tour of my room at IITK

Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!

A flier outside Screen 3 of City Pride, Kothrud

PS: Does point 3 (no "drinking") mean no water, Frooti, Sprite, Coke and no apple juice?! :P

PS PS: If you figure out why there's no point 10, leave a comment. ;)