“THE BENCH DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE”

The 11th standard students of Mushtifund Aryaan Higher Secondary were indeed privileged to have a distinguished personality amongst them a few days ago, whose words of wisdom left reverberating thoughts in our young minds. After receiving a warm welcome from our Director, Mr. Vyankatesh Prabhudesai, our guest speaker, Mr. Dinar Bhatkar began with his interactive session with the budding minds of 11th std.

Mr. Dinar Bhatkar, who has the distinctive accomplishment of being the first Goan to become Member of Board of Governors at IIT Bombay, began on a humourous note by telling us that the bench we sit on does not discriminate against anyone. It knows no race, caste or gender. We all have equal oppurtinities to achieve what we desire, these were his thoughts.

He then enlightened us on the way in which the perception of IIT has changed in Goa over the times. Once considered an unachievable dream, getting into IIT has become a possibility for Goan students in modern times. Going down the memory lane, he told us that his batch was the first to answer the IIT entrance exam in Goa itself, at the Polytechnic Institute in Altinho. He highlighted that we are indeed fortunate today that we get a centre in Goa to answer IIT JEE, whereas earliar, IIT aspirants from Goa had to go to centres like Belgaum to answer it.

He then gave us brief information about the various IITs in India, the old as well as the new ones. He told us about the various faculties, research facilities, exchange programmes, events as well as recreational facilities in IIT campuses. He also gave us a deeper insight into the IIT campus in our very own state- The IIT Goa campus in Goa University. On a lighter note, he told us that IITs give a four month holiday, more than any other national institute. This was reason enough to inspire many of us to join IIT!

Sharing his experiences with us, he explained to us the importance and gravity of the upcoming two years in our life. “Work extremely hard for these two years, and you will enjoy the fruits of it for the next 45 – 50 years of your life”, these were his words, which indeed made us ponder about our future.

Lastly, he advised us to compete with yourself, instead of comparing with others, that is how one develops. He told us to start taking small steps towards achieving our big goals. He gave us an example that if we decide and work upon increasing our marks by only 5 percent every three months, then by the end of two years, we would have already improved by 35 percent, without even noticing it!

After that began the much awaited Question and Answers session, which was coordinated by our Director, Vyankatesh Prabhudesai. Dinar Bhatkar enthusiastically answered all the questions about the various aspects of the IITs asked by the curious students.

MAHSS ex- Star Student, Pratheek Rebello was felicitated by Mr. Bhatkar and was given a cash prize of Rs.1000/- in memory of Late Kashinath Dessai.

Departing, he told us to aim for the stars, for even if we miss it, we will land on the moon.

~ Prepared by Siddhant Govekar, STD XI,MAHSS.