IIT Kharagpur students are currently experiencing a heatwave that has left us feeling like we are sitting in a sauna rather than in our rooms. While a sauna is a luxury, expensive experience, we were taught the harsh truth that just because a premium service is offered free, that does not mean it is welcome.
As temperatures continue to soar, we find it harder to stay fresh and smell good.
We wake up accusing our roommates of dousing us with water, refusing to accept our self-induced sweat-riddled realities. Morning video calls with our Mums have also been unfairly embarrassing as she catches a glance at the wet bed, looks at us with nostalgic reminiscence and lets out a sigh of disappointment.
Of course, students are not the only ones seeking refuge from the sweltering heat. As we try to study for our exams, we must contend with the constant buzzing of mosquitoes and the sight of lizards crawling up the walls. It’s enough to make anyone lose their cool.
As if the stress of impending exams wasn’t enough, we must also contend with power cuts and water shortages. It’s almost as if the campus has been transformed into a real-life version of Roadies (without the paycheck), leaving us stranded on a remote island with extreme challenges to face.
But hey, at least the power cuts give us an excuse to take a break from studying, right? And who needs air-conditioning when you have the refreshing breeze of a hand fan to keep you cool? Of course, this is also the season of multiple showers. It seems that God (just like any KGPian lately) can shed its tears literally at any time of the day, be it 3 AM or 7 PM in the evening.
It feels like an act of vengeance by some nature spirit that was disgusted on all the days we missed showering during the winter. After all, revenge is a dish best served hot and humid. And the libraries? Once emptier than graveyards, now find themselves filled like a tin can with sardines rather than students jam-packed into the only air-conditioned buildings/rooms on campus.
It reminds me of that moment in Musical Chairs when the music stops, and everyone standing is eyeing the seats, hoping someone else gives up one of their chairs so it’s up for grabs.
NSS Volunteers have been facing their own set of problems as they struggle to cycle for what seems like hours on end in this intense heat. Instead of feeling sorry for the villagers they are meant to serve, they find themselves feeling sorry for themselves, with broke-ness getting in the way of taking a slightly more comfortable mode of transportation like a Toto.
Our furry friends have also been feeling the heat, ditching their usual outdoor hangouts and taking shelter in the department buildings. Typically, they would spend their days running around and barking at anything that moves.
But with the intense heat, they, too, have been forced to take refuge indoors. Watching them lunge at each other trying to grab the shadiest spots, I now understand why they call it a dog-eat-dog world.
Amidst all the suffering, some people still find joy in the little things. The chai lovers are still flocking to Chedi’s and Tapri, sipping the hot beverage without a care. Their friends, however, are struggling to choose between Sprite and Lassi, unable to decide which one will help them beat the heat.
Speaking of embarrassing video calls, my coaching friend who went to IIT Jodhpur could not empathise with my plight over the heatwave. “Don’t you have an air-conditioner?” they retorted with the sound of their AC compressor humming in the background. My ego and honesty often combine to come up with half-truths. I looked at the chilled tetra pack of ‘Amul Chaach’ and deceptively replied, “Yeah, I do have an A.C. Could’ve been worse I guess.”
You could always invest in a personal cooler with your roommates, but if that’s not affordable, there’s always Navratna Talc, duniya ka sabse chota AC (Nostalgia hitting hard right now, do they even make that anymore?).
As much as we love our paani puri, it is important to steer away from it, especially during the daytime. Not only does it cause heartburn (which feels much worse on a hot day), but it also turns your sweat into a spicy, aromatic blend that is sure to repel even the most persistent mosquito.
Despite the challenges, however, we are determined to soldier on and finish our exams well. “I refuse to let these extra degrees prevent me from getting my degree”, as one student put it.
We’re in IIT Kharagpur after all, heat is just another challenge to overcome. And if you are unable to cope with it, you could always add to the crowd at B.C Roy, with the hospital overflowing with people suffering from dehydration and exhaustion. You’ll have plenty of company, just remember to get your own fan.
It may be hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk (or on the seat of our bicycles), but there’s no denying that IIT Kharagpur is the coolest place to be. Things may be heating up, but it’s nothing a little perseverance cannot handle.