It feels great to pause once in a while, and take a look back at the small footsteps that led you to the glory of this day. The experiences we gather across our journey is worth gold and for me my stint at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) was the threshold to a gold mine. Manipal is not just an educational institution but an experience in one’s life.
The seeds of my entrepreneurial aspirations would have not germinated or may have taken longer, had I not experienced what life @Manipal offered me. Today, I run a start-up called Real Time Renewables, which was co-founded with my brother, Siddharth Bishnoi, who is also an alumnus of MIT. We both studied Chemical Engineering there and we use the concepts massively for our work today; be it any area – water, pollution or solar sector. But I feel that only happens when you choose to work in the field of your education. Manipal taught us to think out of the box and gave us this tremendous confidence to make things happen!
The first step is always the most difficult one
I have been a nerd all my life and coming to Manipal was revolutionizing for me. Going all the way from Lucknow, UP to down south in Karnataka was nerving, not just for me but for my family as well. The initial days were all about trying to understand the vibe of the place – the people, language and the food!
It took me a few weeks to settle in but Manipal went from being strange land to home in no time. Especially because of the people, I think the faculty, seniors and batch-mates were all a big family. Besides everything, what really impressed me a lot about this place was the great environment and a clean campus.
A great campus to be in!
I recently got to know that Manipal Academy of Higher Education has been awarded the ‘Most Clean Campus Award 2017’ instituted for Engineering Institutions by the AICTE and little do I wonder why! The campus was always impeccable and is getting better every year.
I feel it’s important to involve students in all these ‘Clean and Green’ projects, as it not only helps them understand the practical applications of their studied courses but also creates awareness among them, making them better and responsible citizens. Our start-up is launching a green campus program across India where we will be doing sustainable projects at educational institutes with help of their students. Manipal could be the flag-bearer for this movement!
What also makes Manipal a great place for learning is the diversity it offers. It is one of the most diverse institutes in India. The kind of exposure you get from various cultures across India and the globe is just priceless. It inculcates a feeling of respect and acceptability towards all, which is the most valuable thing to have once you step into the real world. You learn to understand people and their behaviour at a much deeper level.
I travelled to Virginia Tech, USA for my Masters right after I graduated from Manipal. It was a cultural transition for me but definitely not a shock since I had been in a very multi-cultural ambience at Manipal. It becomes much easier to fit in and develop relations once you experience diversity at early stages of life.
In the end, it’s experiences that matter
People should go to Manipal for the experience because that helps you learn things which are beyond the scope of any degree. Manipal offers top-notch infrastructure, facilities and exposure. It’s the best Launchpad one can get to begin their career and life! Embrace the new culture, people and food because you’ll miss them once you leave. Not to mention that you inherit one of the most valuable alumni network in India and across the globe. All the best!
