Finding Perspective: The Importance of Support During Difficult Times

The recent tragic news of suicides at IIT Guwahati has been deeply unsettling. My heart goes out to the students, their families, and everyone affected. Although I don’t claim to fully understand the specific circumstances of each loss, I hope my story might offer some perspective for anyone going through something similar.

At the end of my 6th semester, just as we were getting ready to apply for PhD programs in US schools, I was hit with a major setback—an F grade in one subject. Until that point, I’d been doing fairly well, with a CGPA above 8, and I was more focused on independent research than coursework. I had been doing research under Professor Arun Chattopadhyay since my first year, and I was even about to start an internship at MIT. Everything seemed on track—until the news of the F grade came on the eve of my final exam.

That moment felt like a complete collapse of everything I’d worked for. My CGPA dropped from well above 8 to 7.2, and it shook me mentally, affecting my entire 6th-semester finals. What made it worse was how the professor who gave me the F grade (due to low attendance) handled the situation—no empathy, no guidance—just a cold, sadistic, dismissive attitude that deepened my sense of failure.

But here’s the thing: I was fortunate to have others who saw beyond that grade. Professor Arun Chattopadhyay, who had guided me through my independent research, and the late Professor Subhash C. Mishra (I’ve shared more about him in a separate blog post), stepped in to help. They took a stand for me, writing recommendation letters that became key to my acceptance into prestigious US PhD programs. They didn’t let a single grade define me, and neither did the US schools—many accepted me despite the F grade, seeing the bigger picture of my abilities and potential {It wasn't easy at all and took effort, story for another day}.

It wasn’t just faculty who helped. My seniors—who were already at top schools—gave me invaluable advice. They helped me realize that one F wasn’t a deal-breaker and urged me to apply anyway. Without their perspective and confidence, I might have never considered applying to a top 10 US school with an F grade. This is what reaching out can give you—perspective that you may lose in moments of crisis.

That’s the key point: When people say ‘reach out,’ it’s not just for emotional support, but to gain perspective. Sometimes you need others to help you see the bigger picture. That’s why relationships with peers, seniors, and faculty are so important.

What I learned through all of this is that the true value of IIT isn’t just in the institution itself—it’s in the relationships you build. These connections shape your future. Down the line, nobody asks about your grades. What matters is the work you did together, the B tech projects you worked together on, the events at Manthan, Alcher or Techniche that you organized, and the challenges you overcame as a team at inter IIT. Twenty years from now, it’s these same people who will vouch for you when it matters most—not because of your grades, but because they’ve worked with you, lived with you, and that’s what makes a difference in your career and your personal growth.

After spending 15 years in academia across various US and UK universities, I eventually co-founded a deep tech company with my wife—whom I met in that same 6th semester. And life has a funny way of coming full circle: two of my closest friends from IIT, with whom I shared the stage at Manthan and Alcheringa, later joined me in the company.

I feel incredibly fortunate to be where I am today. I recognize that not everyone may be so lucky, and that’s why it’s important to build these relationships early and find those who can give you perspective when you need it most.

To the students: Please remember—no grade, no single setback, defines your worth or your future. Build connections with your peers, seniors, and faculty—they can be a lifeline when things feel overwhelming. And to the faculty: It’s essential to be approachable and empathetic. Sometimes, one conversation can change the course of a student’s life.

While I can’t claim to understand every situation, I hope that by sharing this part of my journey, I can offer some hope. There is always a way forward, and it often begins by reaching out and building those key connections.