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Author SHA1 Message Date
72ff123e73 feat: interview with chac placeholder and formatting changed 2025-10-20 18:01:16 +05:30
504808a49f feat: interview with chac placeholder and formatting changed 2025-10-20 17:57:27 +05:30
126c0139a6 feat(mobile): mobile navbar length fix for all categories 2025-10-18 23:36:22 +05:30
8b3fb0a04b feat(article): talk with chac category set to coverstory 2025-10-18 23:25:38 +05:30
4f6b0d3c5c feat(article): talk with chac 2025-10-18 23:13:27 +05:30
d7a1c2336b Merge pull request #199 from WatchOutNewsAgency/anee-branch
fixes hamburger menu bug
2025-08-24 20:04:20 +05:30
dc844007b7 Merge pull request #217 from WatchOutNewsAgency/chore/update-copyright-year
update: copyright year to 2025
2025-08-24 20:03:41 +05:30
8f776195ff update: copyright year to 2025 2025-08-24 19:54:19 +05:30
c5f68593d9 add amp article (#216)
* add Alumni Mentorship Program Article

* fix: file naming

---------

Co-authored-by: Rajdeep Aher <math.enthusiast163@gmail.com>
2025-08-24 11:33:01 +05:30
c0eb2ce47e add the amp article (#215)
* add intern-diary-vishal-b and fix other diaries

* add Alumni Mentorship Program Article

---------

Co-authored-by: Rajdeep Aher <math.enthusiast163@gmail.com>
2025-08-24 11:16:12 +05:30
8b1df8ed91 Merge pull request #214 from WatchOutNewsAgency/memoir-fix
chore(memoir): change author name
2025-08-19 16:40:01 +05:30
58cb5c09f2 fix: hamburger menu bug 2025-07-05 20:42:26 +05:30
9 changed files with 170 additions and 7 deletions

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<div class="container copyright">
<p>&copy; Copyright 2018 &#8212; Watch Out! News Agency</p>
<p>&copy; Copyright 2025 &#8212; Watch Out! News Agency</p>
</div>
</footer>

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}
}
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newToggle.type = 'button';
newToggle.id = 'mobile-menu-toggle';
newToggle.className = 'navbar-toggle visible-xs position-fixed top-0 end-0 m-3 z-1030';
newToggle.innerHTML = `
<span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span>
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const container = document.querySelector('.pre-nav');
if (container) container.appendChild(newToggle);
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openDropdowns.forEach(function(dropdown) {

72
_posts/2025-08-24-amp.md Normal file
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---
layout: post
title: "IITRs Alumni Mentorship Program: A Bridge Beyond the Gates"
category: coverstory
image: amp-2025.jpg
excerpt: "IIT Roorkees Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP) bridges students and alumni through one-on-one guidance, offering career support, emotional encouragement, and lasting relationships that extend far beyond campus."
---
Life at IIT has a way of humbling you.
It doesnt matter whether youre a wide-eyed fresher still adjusting to mess food and lecture halls, a second-year torn between fields of interest, a third-year chasing that dream internship, or a final-year student staring down the uncertainty of placements and higher studies—every stage comes with its weight. The campus buzzes with opportunity, but beneath it lies an undercurrent of pressure: Am I making the right choices? Am I falling behind?
In this whirlwind, the noise can get overwhelming, and its easy to feel cast aside. What you long for in those moments is conversation and a helping hand from someone whos walked the same maze and found their way through. Someone who can share not just advice, but perspective from beyond the campus walls, from the world youre preparing to step into.
## IITRs Alumni Mentorship Program: A Bridge Beyond the Gates
It was 2020, when an alumnus visiting campus for a reunion felt the pull of giving back and sensed the growing need for guidance among students. Mr. Kiran Panesar, '89 batch alumnus of IITR, currently running Ambient Security, and his team took that spark forward, starting the Alumni Mentorship Program (AMP) with 6 mentors and 100 students joining in the very first cohort. Over time, this initiative has grown into a **network of 200+ mentors (from the batch of 1966 all the way to 2023) and more than 300 student participants.**
The program is entirely free for students, run by alumni volunteers who simply want to give back. Its design is simple but powerful:
- _One-on-one conversations_: Students are paired with mentors who usually check in with them every couple of weeks. Theyre open-ended discussions about careers, higher studies, or simply making sense of uncertainty.
The format is flexible: some mentorships last years, others just a few meetings—but all evolve into lasting relationships that stretch well beyond campus, grounded in shared stories and continued guidance.
<img src="/images/posts/amp-1-2025.jpg" />
### Impact
AMP has supported students across the spectrum : B.Techs of all years, M.Techs, and PhD scholars. With mentors by their side, students have secured internships, launched startups, pursued research and gone for higher studies abroad.
The impact, however, extends beyond professional milestones. Mentees often form lasting bonds and stay connected with their mentors outside the program, continuing to seek guidance at key junctures in their journeys. And perhaps the most meaningful outcome: mentees returning as mentors, strengthening the program for the next generation.
### Mentors
With over 200 mentors from batches spanning 1961 to the present, the program brings together a remarkable diversity of experience. The mentors include leaders who head global corporations, founders of multiple successful startups, distinguished academicians, and senior civil servants responsible for major national projects.
Beyond one-on-one guidance, the program creates vital networking opportunities—giving students access to perspectives, connections, and possibilities they might never encounter on their own.
AMP thrives on the conversations between alumni and students. To glimpse this more closely, I spoke with one of the mentors in the program - Mr. Animesh Bisaris, a 1984 alum, who shared his journey into mentorship, his reflections on todays students, and his vision for the programs future:
_Animesh Bisaria, a Gold Medalist from IIT Roorkee with over 40 years in the IT industry, is the CEO of FASTGlobal and MD of KNIO Infotech. Based in Bangalore, he has been mentoring students for several years through the IIT Roorkee Alumni Mentorship Program, guiding over a dozen so far._
**How would you describe your approach or style of mentoring students?**
For me, the journey always begins with “KYM — Know Your Mentor/Mentee”. I make it a point to connect with students personally, even before the formal mentorship starts. Many take time to open up — often struggling with confidence, communication, or simply adjusting to IIT life. Every student carries their own story, shaped by family, background, or circumstances.
My first focus is to build trust and understand their world. Once they feel comfortable, they start sharing more freely — and thats when the real mentoring begins. Then, we shape our sessions around the students needs — whether its career guidance, exploring fields of interest, or creating networking opportunities. Every student is different, so the mentoring journey is always tailored.
**Is there a mentorship experience that stands out to you, where you felt the program truly made a difference?**
Yes, one that stays with me is a student who was completely blind — an exceptionally bright child. I was able to support him in navigating campus life and also helped him land an internship at ISRO. This is where the strength of the program really shows: mentors come from diverse, accomplished fields and can connect students to the right opportunities and people. But its not just about career breaks. Through mentorship, students also learn how to communicate better, present themselves with confidence, and build skills that will support them far beyond IIT.
**Over the years, have you noticed any changes in the kinds of questions or concerns students bring up?**
In my 14 years of mentoring, Ive noticed that career-related anxiety is by far the biggest concern. Many students feel disappointed about not getting into the CSE branch and worry that their options are now limited. Theyre often unsure about what direction to take — what to study, how to secure a good internship, or what career path to pursue. Alongside this, there are other challenges too: adjusting to a new environment, building friendships, communicating confidently — Ive met students who couldnt even manage a simple greeting in our first interaction. Missing home and dealing with mental health struggles also weigh heavily on them. All of these concerns come together, but career uncertainty seems to be at the center for most.
**Student mental health is a growing concern at IITs. As a mentor, how do you see your role in supporting students emotionally, not just academically or professionally?**
Yes, that is a major concern. I once had a mentee who had been struggling with depression for nearly eight months — triggered by not getting into a preferred branch, fear of an uncertain future, and the pressure of not wanting to let parents down. Being in such a demanding environment only made it worse. What he really needed was someone to talk to, someone who could guide him and help rebuild his confidence and optimism.
These challenges are not isolated — they are widespread and need to be addressed proactively. I believe the institute should hold at least one dedicated wellness session every month for freshers, so they dont feel alienated in their early days. Within the mentorship program too, our role goes far beyond career advice or networking. We try to provide a genuine support system — a safe space where students feel heard, understood, and encouraged to navigate both academic pressures and emotional struggles.
**Looking ahead, how do you see the Alumni Mentorship Program evolving?**
I hope to see many more mentees and mentors joining in the coming years. One challenge right now is that even after registering, some students hesitate to open up or maintain regular contact. My vision is for the program to become more two-sided — where students feel comfortable reaching out freely, and mentors can also connect with them beyond just formal emails or LinkedIn messages. Strengthening this flow of communication from both ends will make the mentorship bond much stronger.
---
**The last date to register is August 31, 2025, and seats are limited.**
For more information and to register for the mentorship program, visit: https://www.iitramp.org/iitramp

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---
layout: post
title: In Talk with CHAC
tags: [wona, column]
category: coverstory
image: chac.png
excerpt: "To address the concerns recently voiced by students regarding the institute hospital and pharmacy, Watch Out! spoke with Prof. Ankik Kumar Giri, Chairman of the Hospital Advisory Committee."
---
To address the concerns recently voiced by students regarding the institute hospital and pharmacy, Watch Out! spoke with Prof. Ankik Kumar Giri, Chairman of the Hospital Advisory Committee. The transcript of our conversation is provided below:\
***(Note: Hereafter, pharmacy refers to the one outside the hospital entrance.)***
**Q1: Who is in charge of running the institute's pharmacy right now? Does the institute itself directly operate these pharmacy services?**
**A:** The pharmacy is currently managed by a company called Health Hub, which is selected by the tender process for these services. The institute does not directly operate the pharmacy. However, a doctor from the institute, Dr. Vibhu Sharma, the officer in charge, is part of the advisory committee and helps check the quality of the medicines kept at the medical center.
<br>
**Q2: Do students get medicines at a discounted price? If so, how?**
**A:** Students can receive a discount of 27% on certain medicines at the pharmacy counter. All other medicines, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, are sold at the regular price (MRP).\
There are plans to put up a notice which would allow students to understand which medicines are discounted and which are not. This will help students see their options and make informed decisions.\
Pharmacists have been instructed to ask for the enrollment number/employee id to tell if the buyer is a student/employee or someone from outside the campus. This means students do not have to ask for the discount themselves; it is given automatically when they share their enrollment number.
In case the pharmacists fail to ask for ID, one can remind them and avail a discount.
<br>
**Q3: How does the institute keep track of what students buy from the medical center, especially to prevent students from misusing certain medicines?**
**A:** The pharmacy only sells a limited range of medicines, and some medicines are given only if the student has a prescription, just like regular pharmacies outside campus. The institute does not keep records of what students buy from the pharmacy.
_Any queries regarding the hospital can be raised through the feedback portal on the hospital website._
<br>
**Q4: Standing Order 1-12.4 states:\
_“No private doctor should be consulted by a student on his/her own initiative. If there is a genuine need for consulting an outside doctor, the matter should be reported to the Warden / Chief Warden who will take further action in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of the Institute and the Dean of Students' Welfare.”_\
Why does this rule exist? Why can't students choose to visit a private doctor whenever they want?**
**A:** This rule is mainly for the safety and well-being of students. If a student visits a private doctor or has a medical procedure outside the institute and something goes wrong, or if the student is not treated properly, the institute needs to be aware so it can respond quickly in an emergency. By keeping the institute informed, students can get help faster if any problems arise.\
Another important reason for this rule is to prevent misuse of medical certificates. There have been cases where students have submitted fake or questionable medical certificates from outside doctors to get special permissions, like asking for a re-exam or an extension. By requiring students to go through the institute's process, it becomes easier to check the authenticity of medical documents and maintain fairness for everyone.\
Overall, the rule is meant to protect students in emergencies and to make sure that all medical documents are real and used properly.
<br>
**Q5:
Standing Order 1-12.5 states:\
_"Students are entitled to medical facilities to the extent available in the Institute Hospital. The Institute will make no reimbursement of the medical expenses to the students for any treatment taken outside the Institute Hospital without the recommendation of the Institute Medical Officer (IMO)."_\
To clarify, does this mean that if a student seeks a second opinion from an outside doctor, even with a referral from an institute doctor (but not the IMO), the cost would not be reimbursable?**
**A:** The reimbursement process takes place under the DoSW. The amount to be reimbursed, if any, is in accordance with the policies of the insurance company.
<br>
**Q6: If a student wants a second opinion from a specialist outside the institute, or feels that the diagnosis by the institute's doctors is not correct, what procedure is to be followed?**
**A:** If a student wants to see a specialist or get a second opinion from a doctor outside the institute, they should first visit the campus hospital and ask for a referral. The doctors at the hospital do not refuse to give referrals to outside doctors if needed. If a student ever faces any difficulty in getting a referral, they should contact the Hospital Office for help.\
If a student feels unsatisfied with a diagnosis, they may also request a re-examination within the institute itself before opting for an external consultation.\
To make things easier for students, the institute is also working on bringing more outside specialists and super specialists to the campus. This way, students may not need to go outside for specialist consultations in the future.
<br>
**Q7: Some students have reported that the emergency ward at the hospital does not have enough facilities. What services are actually available in the emergency ward, and what rights should a student know they have when using it?**
**A:** When you go to the emergency ward, ensure that there is at least one doctor, one staff nurse, one attendant, and one pharmacist present. If you need help, ask for the doctor right away. \
If you feel you are not being treated properly in the emergency ward, first note down the doctor's details. Next, ask the doctor to call a senior doctor or the Chief Medical Officer to address your concern. If you are still not satisfied or believe there was mishandling, report the issue to the chairman with all the information you have gathered.

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