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Success stories of IIT toppers

Krishnamurthy Rengarajan, IIT-B gold medallist.

Knowledge is indeed wealth. Who better exemplifies it than Krishnamurthy Rengarajan, IIT-B gold medallist (B Tech dual-degree course). Krishnamurthy's story is that of hard work, sheer grit and determination.

His undying passion for learning and excellence has paid off. Coming from a lower middle class background , Krishnamurthy has made his parents proud when he passed with flying colours.

His father, who works as a typist at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is overwhelmed by his son's achievement. Rengarajan, who hails from Tamil Nadu, came to Mumbai 28 years ago and settled down in a distant Mumbai suburb of Dombivli. Though the family went through a lot of hardships initially, he made sure that his children were well educated.

"My son always wanted to join the IIT. When people asked him what if you don't get through the entrance examinations, he used to say, `there is no question of me not clearing the test,'" says his proud father.

And, of course, he did top all the five years at IIT, a result of sheer hard work and brilliance, says his mother, barely able to control her excitement. "I am very happy for him," says Radha Rengarajan. Krishnamurthy did his schooling at the Kidland School in Dombivli and pre-degree from V G Vaze College at Mulund. His favourite subject being mathematics it was obvious that he would pursue a degree in engineering.

He won the Rakesh Mathur award of Rs 1 lakh (Rs 100,000) during his third year and other scholarships throughout the four years.

Here's what Krishnamurthy had to say on his IIT experience.

My IIT experience

The five years I spent at IIT were the best in my life. I will cherish each and every moment here. I loved everything here: the professors are the best one can ever get, the facilities to study and the extra-curricular activities are excellent. I made best of friends and thoroughly enjoyed my college life.

I don't think I will ever get this experience anywhere else.

On studies

Before joining IIT, I used to study for 7 to 8 hours daily. After joining IIT, I used to spend about a couple of hours. I did not go for anything coaching classes. I learnt through Brilliant Tutorial correspondence course and my preparation began after I finished my 10th standard.

Why IIT

IIT is one of the premier institutes in India. I always wanted to get good higher education, so I opted for IIT.

My mantra for success

There is no short cut to success. One has to work very hard, put in a lot of effort, should have a problem-solving mentality and a right approach to every problem.

My parents always stood by me, their support has been invaluable and am overwhelmed.

Advice to IIT aspirants

Work hard. You have to spend a lot of time preparing as exams are getting more and more competitive. You must also have problem-solving skills.

Interests

Solving math puzzles, reading books. I used to play cricket, but now I don't get the time.

Next move

Money is the least important thing for Krishnamurthy. So no jobs for the time being. "I have been selected for the scholarship programme at Stanford University for a PhD in operations research. I would like to research on optimising computer networks and operation systems. Quality research is available abroad. After the PhD programme I would like to join any academia of good repute and continue my research activities. Among corporates, I admire Google. It is the one company that reflects perfection, hard work and efficiency."

Will you come back to India?

Of course, I will. The brain drain phenomenon is dying out. It's the time for reverse brain drain!

Photograph: Krishnamurthy (right) with a friend. (Inset) Krishnamurthy's parents, Rengarajan and Radha.

Success stories of IIT toppers

Ashwin Limaye, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Computer Science and Engineering.

He is simple, unassuming and, of course, intelligent! No doubt that Ashwin Limaye from Pune topped the M Tech dual degree. He has also topped in the last three years of the course.

On the IIT experience

The five years I spent at IIT were a great experience. Life at IIT is 24/7. The environment at IIT is totally different when compared to that of other colleges. We had a great hostel life too.

The best thing about IIT is that it is not just about academics, it also involves a lot of extra-curricular activities and sports. The interaction with professors and students from diverse backgrounds is also an enriching experience.

Although the class timings are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., we have all the time in the world to do what we like: this fine balance helps in overall personality development.

My interests

Badminton is my first love. I have headed the IIT team at various competitions in IIT and other inter-IIT competitions and won several medals. I'm very thankful to IIT for giving us such opportunities to play and practise. I also like reading both fiction and non-fiction.

Next move

I have joined McKinsey & Co as a consultant at a pay package of Rs 7.5 lakh (Rs 750,000) per annum. It's a great place to work. I was interested in the people part of the businesses and I'm enjoying my work. The transition from college to work is quite different. In colleges, we don't have fixed timing to study or work on project. But here it's at least a 12-hour job, from 9 to 9!

My mantra for success

The most important thing is to pay attention in the class, don't mix work and play, and stay focussed and organised. An engineering degree helps to have structured approach to problem-solving which is important.

On OBC quota

A 50 per cent quota will definitely affect the quality of IITs.

Advice to IIT aspirants

Get your basics right, you should have problem-solving skills, you must learn to ask why and not how, and be focussed in what you do. I did not go for any formal coaching, I did a correspondence course along with 3 of my friends so it was mostly combined study.

India

or abroad?

India

, of course! I belong to this place and I would love to settle down in India. However, I would like to experience how the environment is abroad. India is a growing market with plenty of opportunity, growth and innovation. It is the place to be now, this is where we can shine and excel. And I want to be a part of the great Indian growth story.

Photograph: Ashwin Limaye, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Computer Science and Engineering.

Success stories of IIT toppers

Rahul Bhattacharjee, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Civil Engineering.

Confident and ready to take on life's new challenges, Rahul, is excited about stint at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As his parents were both IIT-ians, Rahul made them proud by keeping the IIT tradition intact and passed out with flying colours. Rahul, who hails from Kolkata has settled in Mumbai.

IIT experience

Studying at IIT is an amazing experience because it is a pool of brains from diverse backgrounds. We get to meet and interact with people from different backgrounds: this helps instill in us many good qualities. It teaches you more and more. The qualities in several people appeal to you and our interaction with them help us develop into better individuals.

Your intellect matters too and, of course, a bit of luck!

Mantra for success

I had my father as a role model. I also put in a lot of hard work: about 8 to 9 hours everyday after the 10th standard.

Advice to IIT aspirants

Work hard. Keep your focus, be good at handling problems. Put in a lot of effort. Start right form your 10th standard.

The most important things is not just getting an admission in an IIT, but you learning to utilise the time and resources at the IIT in the best possible manner. I know a lot of people who has wasted their time here as they get a lot of freedom.

Never be disappointed even if you don't make it, the preparation for this exam will help you wherever you go.

Next move

I'm very excited about going to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is a great honour. The IIT brand name and the score at IIT definitely help to get admission. Your research intent must also be sincere, focussed and committed. The institute should be impressed with your statement of purpose as well.

Future plans

I would like to start my own company on infrastructure development. We have a lot of ancient monuments in India. I plan to research and development solutions to build cost effective solution for the restoration of ancient monuments and as well as damaged buildings in India.

Learning infrastructure asset management, sensor technology and cost-optimisation would be a great challenge. Many foreign countries have implemented this. As this is a cost-intensive sector, it is imperative to find a solution that saves money.

Interests Swimming, writing and reading.

Photograph: Rahul Bhattacharjee, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Civil Engineering.

Success stories of IIT toppers

Diwakar Shukla, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Chemical Engineering.

Ask him if he can make a bomb and he laughs! Awards and accolades were always his best friends. Diwakar from Lucknow, is one of the eight students selected from all over the world for a PhD in chemical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

A child prodigy, he has been to the Astronomy Olympiad in Russia when he was in the 10th standard. He was also among the few students from India who participated in the Robotics Olympiad in Canada when he was in the 12th standard.

IIT experience

It has been an awesome experience. The IIT-JEE is tough and you expect that the course will also be very tough, which is not the case. It is like a regular school where you have to work continuously throughout the year.

When you are in IIT, you get the feeling that you are better then the rest, which builds your confidence. And this confidence gets you very far in life. The faculty and facilities at IIT have been excellent and I enjoyed every moment of my five years at IIT.

Success mantra

I work very hard, am very focussed on studies and I attend all sessions. I don't have a specific study schedule, it's very erratic. If I get interested in a particular subject or project then I can spend 24 hours on it!

Interests

I like playing cricket and reading books. I'm interested in electronics too. I have participated in robotics competitions and won prizes.

Next move

I'm going to MIT for PhD. Chemical engineering has a lot of scope, especially in today's context of rising fuel prices. With oil touching $70 a barrel, it is imperative that we start working on alternate sources of energy.

Nanotechnology is another very interesting subject. My research will be on these subjects.

Advice to IIT aspirants

Work is duty. You have to really slog it out to get through the test. You should be motivated and work really hard. Never give up!

Photograph: Diwakar Shukla, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Chemical Engineering.

Success stories of IIT toppers

Amrita Sateesh Mahale, Topper, B Tech in Aerospace Engineering.

Lively, enthusiastic and cheerful, Amrita from Mumbai, is a topper all the way. She represents the growing number of women IIT toppers. She won the IIT silver medal for topping the Aerospace Engineering course and a gold medal for overall proficiency.

On the IIT Experience

It was a fantastic experience. The first year was very stressful as you are surround by toppers and child prodigies. It takes some time to get used to the environment. Studies are not as difficult as they are before joining IIT. You get the best facilities to study and work.

And, of course, I enjoyed hostel life and made the best of friends. Living at the campus is a different life altogether, your friends become your family!

Interests

I like robotics and have done projects on robotics and won awards. I have also published research papers on aerospace and automobile fuel cells after an internship at Mercedes Benz.

I like reading and writing. I was the editor of the department magazine. I also write poetry. I was also on the editorial board of the IIT newspaper. I learnt a lot of new things like drumming and playing squash at the IIT. I also like advertising and did two advertisements at O&M during an internship: these were ads for Kotak Mahindra and MTV.

Success mantra

Lots of hard work, two years of preparations, I attended coaching classes after my 10th standard.

Advice to IIT aspirants

One has to work really hard, put in lot of extra work for two years to get the branch of one's choice. But one should not be dejected if one doesn't get selected. One has a lot of opportunities and many interesting things to do now.

Next move

I have joined the Boston Consultancy Services. I would like to explore the corporate world. I enjoy my work. The job has lived up to my expectations. I used to think that the corporate world is a very cut-throat one, but I was surprised to find that it not so. Everyone is very helpful.

And aerospace? Yes, it is on the radar, I would like to pursue research in aerospace in future.

Photograph: Amrita (left) celebrates with her friend

Success stories of IIT toppers

Supreet Joshi, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Electrical Engineering.

Supreet is all smiles, for this is one of his happiest days. "It feels great to top my batch and win this award. The good thing is being here once more and sad part is leaving this place forever," says Supreet.

Supreet, who hails from Dharwad in Karnataka, is excited about his new job at Texas Instruments.

IIT experience

IIT has been an amazing experience. The quality of life here has been outstanding.

I made great friends here. We have good professors and the environment is very challenging. Here the environment is such that you can always excel. You don't have to make an effort, it come naturally. It also helps us develop entrepreneurial skills.

My mantra for success

Hard work comes first. Then good focus, concentration in everything I do. And I also have the strong will to excel.

Advice to IIT aspirants

There is no short cut to success, one has to be smart and sharp, dedicated and determined to face the most difficult tasks.

Next move

Have just joined Texas Instruments in Bangalore as design engineering. I'm enjoying my work.

Photograph: Supreet Joshi (right) with a friend

Success stories of IIT toppers

Sneha Gupta, Topper, B Tech in Metallurgical Engineering and Material Science.

Sneha, who hails from Kota in Rajasthan, Sneha is extremely modest about her achievements. She is all set to head to the United States for further studies.

Sneha, who did her schooling in Rajasthan, was always a topper. She won the IIT silver medal for topping the B Tech course in metallurgical engineering and material science.

On the IIT experience

It was great studying at IIT. I studied metallurigcal engineering, which involves research on materials science. It's a very interesting subject. IIT is not just about studies. You also get to participate in various activities.

The course is not tough, about 2 hours of study everyday was enough for me. For IIT-JEE, you have to work hard after your 10th standard. Two years of hard work will ensure you have a place at IIT.

Advice to IIT aspirants

Must work hard, must have problem-solving skills, should learn basic principles. I used to study for about 8 hours everyday. I used to attend coaching classes at Bansals.

Next move

I have been selected for a PhD at Stanford University to do research, after which I would like to come back and work in India. India offers a lot of opportunities and I belong to this place. Besides, my parents are here, so I would love to come back.

Photograph: IITians get together, one more time!

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