An IITian Superhero

Roorkee, is yet another town in Uttarakhand. But again, not many towns can boast of an IIT. In case, you mistake Uttarakhand for a perennially frozen cold province in North India, then please allow me to disillusion you. Roorkee is not hilly, it is not cold (not throughout the year). The climate here is Temperate as we call it. Very hot in the summers followed by again a very humid monsoon and extremely cold winters in January and the 1st half of February. 

Tip: No need to pack warm clothes for the Fall semester, though. Packing umbrellas and/or rain-coats would be a far better choice!

Circumscribing the IIT at Roorkee are the Civil Lines, where every possibly necessary commodity of use and more is easily available. Also, the canteen for the Rajendra Bhawan (the hostel for the freshers) supplies mattresses, buckets, mugs and hangers etc., at the beginning of a new session.

Tip: Since, everything is available in the Civil lines and at the Rajendra Bhawan, you need not travel carrying your bedding along with you!

Once you end up with the registration process at the Convocation Hall, I'll advise opening an a/c at either of the SBI or the PNB branches inside the campus, preferably SBI. It would actually be a matter of 15-20 mins, because both the banks usually setup their stalls just outside the Convocation Hall in the lawns. There is a small shop cum PCO/FAX within the Cautley Bhawan. The shop will take care of daily amenities and mobile recharges, if you are lazy enough to walk to the civil lines. 

What about bicycles? Should we buy one? I bought a bicycle back in 2010 and I prefer walking now. I would advise against buying one. Why? Do you want your bicycle turning into a public commuter? Or, do you want to bear the extra load of a batchmate? Plus, a bicycle has maintenance issues.

Tip: If you want to save on the bicycle costs, you can always wait for the unclaimed bicycles being sold off at the hostels. They are priced as low as Rs. 200-400 against the Rs. 3000+ bicycles outside!

The mess at Rajendra Bhawan, is a little rigid with the customs to be followed there. One has to dress up properly to be permitted inside. Where 'properly' means NO shorts/capris/3-4ths and definitely NO slippers. However, this rigidity lasts for a very short period of time, i.e., till the Council Elections. Also, during this pre-election time, restrictions are set on the entry and exit of the hostellers. Which, are dissolved once the elections are done away with. In case, you do not like the mess food, you can always order a home delivery from the Dominos outlet just outside the campus.

The telephone no. being +911332275424

Other good food outlets include Prakash, Center Point, Sagar, 36 Chowrangee Lane, Olive and TinTin.

Tip: If you want to eat food other than that from the mess, and save on it, try the Govind Bhawan or the Ravindra Bhawan canteens. Comparably good food, at reasonable rates!

With, the end of the 1st week, you'd be asked to opt for either of the 3: NSO, NSS or the NCC as a proficiency. NCC is lot more physical and tiresome, the cadets are required to stay for 10-12 days camp in the winter break, but it ain't bad. If you aim at being a hotshot IAS officer, the 'B' and the 'C' certificates help a bit. Plus, if you are already an 'A' certificate holder from the school, do join NCC. With NCC as a proficiency, you are guaranteed with a good grade. NSS, is not at all generous with the grades, mind you! You will have to earn your grades, unless you have good contacts in the core team. To get into the NSO, you need to qualify at the trials. In case you are already a sportsperson, NSO would be an ideal proficiency.