A Footballing Fable

Courtesy: Department of Photography, BITS Pilani, Goa

In the wee hours of morning, while walking along the road adjacent to the football ground, you can see the men’s football team toiling hard. Next to the football ground, you can also see a football player sitting on the hockey field, plopped in front of the goal post. With pair of muddy studs, a football, and two bags marking the goalposts, the player seemed to be waiting for her team to arrive.

The team turned up, and drills commenced. Shots were taken, dribbling exercises were completed, and sometimes even a match was played. The team tried, and eventually hung up their boots and went back to the hostel. This was the daily practice routine for the women’s football team until March 2016. From not knowing where the football field was, to winning a trophy in Spree’16 at BITS Goa, the team has come a long way. A self-made team – barring a few occasions when members of the men’s team taught them the basics of the game – these women did not even have a coach.

Courtesy: MIT Football League

Football isn’t a stroll in the park

Courtesy: Department of Photography, BITS Pilani, Goa

Unaware to most of the college, a friendly Inter-Mahe Women’s football tournament was organised between MIT, SOC, and MCODS during the latter half of 2015’s even semester. Interestingly enough, only MIT could send a team with eleven players. Eventually, the tournament (now consisting of 7v7 games) was won convincingly by MIT. Despite a thumping win, the lack of a vacant ground caused the enthusiasm to abate. Without recognition, only one player turned up for selection.

“Out of a squad of fifteen players, four turned up for practice one day. It is illogical to walk up to the students playing there and ask them to pack up their bags – because we are the official team. It was later made very clear that no matter how unfit you are, your presence is imperative on the field. Don’t train, sit and learn.”

– Anam Ahmad, current Captain of the Women’s football team

Courtesy: Department of Photography, BITS Pilani, Goa

Such was the lack of awareness that only one player turned up for selections held in odd semester. The distraught team, on the verge of being disbanded, got together for Spree’16. Two weeks prior to the fest, the team began intensive training. The training, which included basic drills and stamina-building exercises, paid off as the team defied all odds and manage to clinch the trophy at BITS Goa.

Light at the end of the Tunnel

At Spree’17 – Second Place: MIT Women’s football team (Right), First Place: BITS Women’s football club (left)
Courtesy: Department of Photography, BITS Pilani, Goa

The win at BITS Goa was extremely important because it reaffirmed the administration’s faith in the team. The women’s football team was finally given permission to train on the football ground. Scratch that, they earned the permission to play. The next semester saw an even more promising turnout, with sixteen players turning up for selection. The team has been training hard ever since, managing to finish second in Spree’17. It has been quite a journey for these women, and they have exceeded expectations.

In the wee hours of morning, while walking along the road adjacent to the football ground, you can see the men’s football team toiling hard. Next to the football ground, you can now see the women’s football team matching the men step for step.

A Tennis Tale

For every student living in the west-facing rooms of 14^th block, waking up to a blast of white light at 5:45 in the morning has become a common occurrence. The floodlights overlooking the tennis court are blaring, and members of the MIT tennis team seem to be hard at work. The MIT men’s tennis team has made a name for itself, and watching the women’s team work with equal dedication convinces you that the women are but a few steps away from success.

A New Set

Courtesy: MIT women’s Tennis Team

While the women’s team was sweating it out on the football field, the newly constructed tennis court was harbouring the rise of another women’s sports team. The success of the women’s football team served as a source of inspiration for the formation of a revitalised women’s tennis team. In a move initiated by the former women’s tennis team captain, Seeulee Upadhyaya, selections for the women’s tennis team were held in January, 2017, and four of the best female tennis players were selected to represent MIT.

The newly minted team had to undergo a crash course in practising and bonding over a short span of two weeks. Matches were played against the men’s tennis team in this timeframe as well. The team took part in their first tournament, the Inter-MAHE Cup, as a well-oiled unit, steamrolling supposedly stronger teams on their way to the final. The team may have lost to KMC in the final, but their success certainly caught the eye of the administration.

“Ants were a constant problem at Sharada. We have also asked for the courts to be opened early in the mornings on Sundays, but even this has not been implemented yet.”

– Mili Singh, a member of the women’s tennis team

A lost game, but a victory overall

The team captain, Seeulee Upadhyaya (left), and Neha Peri (right)
Courtesy: MIT women’s Tennis Team

According to the Neha Peri, a member of the women’s tennis team, there were a multitude of positives to take away from their performance in the tournament. Neha and her compatriot, Mili Singh, felt that more gruelling training sessions would help them in achieving better results. At Spree ’17, the annual BITS Goa fest, Seeulee Upadhyaya nabbed first place in the women’s singles. This win was not only a huge leap for women’s tennis at MIT, but a source of inspiration for every woman trying to pursue sports in MIT.

“The recent construction of tennis courts in MIT, right beside the 9th block, has saved us the trouble of traveling to Sharada Courts beside KMC. Even then, we think the administration could still do more. We have written many letters, asking for improvement in lighting on the MIT courts, but all our requests have fallen on deaf ears.”

– Neha Peri, member of the women’s tennis team

If you are woken by the floodlights overlooking the tennis court early in the morning, look out of the window. You are sure to find the women’s tennis team pounding the pavement, well before the day begins.

In our blithe and content university town, there is a considerably large group of people who are not as privileged as the rest. Often born without land, amenities, or shelter, their lives have become an everyday struggle. In those moments, it is true that something as simple as a smile can have a ripple effect. The extent or methodology of giving doesn’t matter – what matters is the thought behind it. On stepping out of their comfort zone, many people our own age selflessly give and give.

Courtesy: Scio Foundation

Whether it’s an extraordinary feat or a daily duty, social service touches lives everywhere – of those receiving it, providing it, or even reading about it. From the cheerful glint in the eyes of a child receiving education, to the sweet repose of the aged under the protection of the young, there is boundless beauty in giving.

Scio Foundation

Medical Camp (Vaidya) conducted by SCIO Foundation Manipal Chapter in association with KMC.

“After four years, I’m walking again because of you”.

This tearful affirmation was delivered by a helpless, old woman in the very first medical camp organized by the Scio foundation. After being provided with apt treatment, she went on to continue the procedure of rehabilitation in Scio’s partner hospital (Apollo Hospital, Ramanthapur, Telangana).

In one of the medical camps organized by Scio, an indelible anecdote was created when a man seemed peculiarly calm and composed while his electrocardiographic reading indicated a heart attack. Being in the right place at the right time saved his life.

RedX

Students from Sagrinole and Sarlabettu schools showcasing their talent on Disha Day in MIT Auditorium.

Living up to their theme of socio-adventure, RedX managed to save a man’s life by using their adventure tools. While repairing an electric pole like on any other day, a worker had received a dangerous electric shock. Stuck to the pole and burning with incessant pain, he had but a veneer of hope as the group of youngsters who were previously engrossed in an adventure sport nearby rushed to his rescue. Maintaining level-headedness and skills like professionals, they used their harnesses and mattresses to pull the man down to safety.

Courtesy: RedX

Disha, the social-service wing of RedX, has rigorously adopted some schools in and around Manipal as family. They provide them with water purifiers, books, clothes, and E-learning kits. These E-learning kits include sizeable screens, projectors, and interesting educational videos. Having sponsored the education of 35 financially weak children on the verge of dropping out, Disha regularly sends volunteers to teach in the associated schools – ensuring that the students assimilate knowledge without any hindrances.

Courtesy: The Photography Club, Manipal

Sunburn, their fund-raising event, has enabled them to completely finance the education of the associated schools’ girl toppers. With boiling passion and clear goals, RedX now plans to set up a vocational center for the unemployed – with their very own Computer Lab!

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)

Vocational Instruction and Training Academia organized by Engineers Without Borders.

Incorporating engineering skills into social service, Engineers without Borders designed a toilet block for Pragati Nagar – a small-scale migrant community that only has 8 working toilets for 700 residents. Structures for rain water harvesting and water-less urinals are under construction. ‘Shramdaan’ days will be held for volunteers interested in participating in the construction of these eco-toilets. Other than that, EWB also plans to bring about the establishment of a government-funded kindergarten to inculcate in children the habit of maintaining sanitation.

Volunteer Services Organisation (VSO)

VSO’s Muskaan Project

We sat in awe on the red plastic chairs of Apoorva mess as Varun Keri, the head of VSO, spoke about their incredible contribution in the field of social service. The Volunteer Services Organization, VSO, is the official social wing of the Manipal University. With a team of 3000 volunteers, including students from different wings and institutions, the organization has embarked upon many projects that cater to every sector of the society. “It’s a happy feeling, seeing them smile,” said Varun.

Weekly programs which involve visits to orphanages, old age homes, pediatric wards, and homes for the mentally-challenged are just a small part of the huge tasks they’ve undertaken. “We take them for walks to End Point and play games with them”, said Varun, as he spoke at length about how VSO visits ASARE, a home for special children, and how seeing those innocent smiles was a beautiful feeling.

Tarang – Kite Festival organized by VSO.

Apart from this, the Clean Manipal campaign and visits to Nittur state home for children are also some of the weekly projects that VSO works upon. Special fund-raising programmes like Tarang (a kite-flying festival) and Sparsh (a cultural festival) take place once every one or two years. However, simple acts like providing tea to the security guards of Manipal, fresh water to the bus drivers, and air masks to the Traffic policemen stand apart and showcase how simple efforts can create a huge difference.

Rotaract Club of Manipal

Clothes Distribution Drive organised by Rotaract

“No work beneath us, no task beyond” is what the Rotaract Club of Manipal emphasizes on. The club works day and night to achieve the laborious goal of providing equal service to all by organizing blood donation camps, visits to orphanages and old age homes, and conducting fund-raising programs.

“We organize CCPs – where students spend an entire day at old age homes, orphanages, and homes for special children” proudly claimed the Rotaract President, Rahul Kedar. Their latest achievement was “Dhol Baje”, a dandiya function, where the club was able to raise a hefty sum of about One Lakh Rupees. This amount was donated to two orphanages. Apart from this, The Local Train concert was a huge success and the funds were donated for the noble cause of ‘women education’.

Blood Donation Drive organized by the Rotaract Club

Focussing not just on the community, but also on the environment, clubs like ‘Akshay Urja’ and ‘Echo Manipal’ work towards creating a sense of environmental awareness amongst the students. They have been active in this domain, trying to create a greener, healthier environment.

This is Manipal. One city, a dozen clubs, and one common objective. For organizations and clubs like VSO, Rotaract, EWB, Scio, RedX, Echo Manipal, and Akshay Urja, the community is of utmost importance. Their work clearly reflects their goals and instills a sense of respect amongst us, inspiring every individual to do their bit for the society – to step out of the comfort of lying lazily on their beds on a Sunday and work for the community. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Early every Sunday morning, when most of Manipal lies in slumber, a dozen people gather outside the AB5 gate. Furnished with binoculars, DSLRs, and a couple of handbooks, the group embarks on its weekly trip to the less-frequented areas of town.

Today, Mr. Shaurya Rahul Narlanka, Assistant Professor (Department of Civil Engineering) leads a bunch of bird enthusiasts through the streets of Eshwar Nagar for the outing. The bird activity is at its peak early in the morning, and the watchers are determined to make most of this.

“Jewel of Indrali”, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher as captured by Prateik Kulkarni © 2015

As the first birds fly out in search of worms, Prof. Narlanka opens the e-bird app on his phone and creates a checklist. The sightings of all birds are recorded on the app and information is uploaded to the e-bird servers. The local experts then take over and vet the data for uncommon activity. The information serves to make distribution maps of the birds and keep track of their migrations.  The database acts as a resource for biodiversity data, and every bird-watcher contributes to its growth.

Courtesy: Google Maps. (Via: Maphill – Detailed Map of Manipal)

Manipal owes its rich avian life to a favorable location between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Within its small area, it is also endowed with a range of habitats – from laterite grasslands to the Manipal Lake – each with its own type of wildlife. Eshwar Nagar, Indrali, Dasharath Nagar, the TAPMI campus, and End Point are some of the best birding spots in Manipal.

A Birdwatcher’s Stroll through Manipal

Here are snapshots of some of the amazing species that can be seen in Manipal. For a more detailed guide, you’re welcome to use the eBird database that is constantly updated by dedicated birders from MIT and beyond.

Oriental Honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus)

Courtesy: Mr. Narlanka

Black-rumped Flameback (Dinopium benghalense)

Courtesy: Sanket Warudkar

Nilgiri Flowerpecker (Dicaeum concolor)

Courtesy: Mohanram Kemparaju (2007)

Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis)

Courtesy: Clement Francis

Long-tailed Shrike (Lanius schach)

Courtesy: Vinay Darbal

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus)

Courtesy: Nitin Srinivasamurthy

Purple-rumped sunbird (Leptocoma zeylonica)

Courtesy: Anantha Murthy

Need of the Hour?

The Sunday expeditions go beyond photographing birds. They serve to address a greater need of environmental awareness. With a rigorous academic regime in a society abuzz with media pings, the adage of having “no time to stop and stare” rings true.

For years, Manipal’s landscape has evolved to house students and technology from around the world. Steady development must be sustainable, and every new construction should account for depleting green cover. Much of the land that hosts these birds is privately-owned – which means that they could, at any time, be cleared of the vegetation. It’s our job to do what we can, where we can.

“We birders really care about the environment,” says Dwiref Oza, a 6^th semester student of MIT, “We can’t say no to development, but it’s all about sustainability. People need to be sensitive about their harmful activities. Sensitive areas have to be marked off so people can be careful about what’s done in those parts.”

Dwiref is a member of Manipal Birder’s Club, which filed a petition on change.org to the Swamiji of Admar Mutt. The petition centers around safeguarding the ecosystem of the Indrali Temple Area, and has gathered over 200 supporters.

“White Breasted Kingfisher”, can be sighted in Indrali. © T H Su

The Indrali temple has around it a native bush plantation that could soon be destroyed if the land is used for construction. This would adversely affect the 140 species found here. Among these are the rare varieties of the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Grey-headed Bulbuls, Malabar Whistling Thrush, and the Orange-headed Thrush. Hope lies in the fact that the temple property is community-owned; hence the people have some say in what happens to the land.

Birding shares a close bond with the environment, and the watchers can sense ecological damage when migration patterns change. By maintaining an online database of avian life, they use precise cataloging to keep a check on the ecosystems they explore every week. They’re a forthcoming team of enthusiasts who meet for expeditions on Sunday mornings, and they’ll be happy to have you on board.

Not all ideas get made. The competition is so high, making a game and putting it out there doesn’t make you money anymore. You’ve got to design the game that hooks you onto it to keep you playing, or have in-game purchases. Even then, only about 3% of the audience will make a purchase. So essentially, you have to make a game good enough for this 3% to spend a lot of money on.

Years ago, Vatsal Ambastha was in a place we’re all too familiar with – standing outside the door of his engineering coaching as he wondered if it makes sense to go in. As he evaluated what could be the rest of his life, he saw the building’s fire exit. Needless to say, he took it – and never looked back.

The events of this day stayed with him in college, as he joined MIT’s Computer Science stream in 2012. In his second year, Vatsal founded Firexit Software – a startup that focuses on mobile game development. It’s important to mention here that Firexit released three games (Speed Street Tokyo, Xpro Rally, Blockalypse Now) that received global acclaim – as evidenced by the 3.5 million downloads. It’s safe to call time-of-death on the “Video games are a waste of time!” argument.

A self-taught Unity3D software engineer who now works at a company that seamlessly integrates gaming and advertising, Vatsal sees no end to what games can be.

One-on-One with Vatsal Ambastha

Screenshot from “Speed Street: Tokyo” developed by FireExit Software

Six years ago, mobile gaming wasn’t as popular or lucrative as it is today. In a time like that, how hard was it to find like-minded people to start a company?

The landscape was different from every perspective, in every way. Now-a-days, there are so many studios – even small ones comprising five people working in an office. It started as a hobby, to make some games that become a portfolio.  My end-goal was to join one of the bigger developer companies in India, like Ubisoft Pune or EA Hyderabad. I started working with my friends in school. But, as it turned out, we didn’t work well together. So I mostly worked alone.

What games are you inspired by? Which games make you feel like creating one of your own?

Prince of Persia was the first game I remember playing. When I first started thinking about making games, the Splinter Cell series and SWAT 4 were an amazing influence. My confidence levels were dictated by the Dunning-Kruger effect – I used to think I could make games like those all on my own, despite being a rookie developer at that point.

“Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands”, developed by Ubisoft

What skills would you recommend honing for someone who’s taking their first step into designing? Which programs or languages should they get proficient in?

I’d say that going with Unity is the best option, because it’s easy to learn. If you have a basic understanding of Java, it’s even easier because Unity used C# which is very similar. Unity used to be a bridge to other engines like Unreal, but that has ceased to be the case. You can buy sample projects made by Unity, look at the source code, and learn how things work.

Unity Software for Game Development

Do you have a creative process that you go through when you’re working on something? Walk us through it?

I never had a pragmatic approach when it came to making games. I used to play existing games similar to the idea I had in mind, and pick out features I liked to go along with what I came up with. This didn’t work out so well because not all ideas blend well together. What I do now is make prototypes of in-game models. They are essentially place-holders – like an L-shaped block for a gun or grey rectangles for buildings. The details are added at the end, once the functionality is optimized.

One of Vatsal Ambastha’s many Unity3D creations.

When being creative is such a crucial part of the job description, how do deal with those Off-days when you just can’t get any creative juices flowing? A designer’s block, if you will.

I had many a days like that. I found out that doing “traditionally creative” things like painting really helps me cope. I just get a canvas, some paints, watch a music video, and start painting something. I’m not a painter, so there’s no expectations. Writing or playing the guitar helps too.

What are some problems or pitfalls people might face when entering into the domain of game development? Are they different now from when you made the jump?

Funnily enough, I think too much optimism can become a problem. The prevalent mindset among developers is that just because they went through the effort of making a game, they are entitled to success and popularity. I used to be that naïve too. But at some point, you have to realize that making money off games – especially when you go against big companies – is very difficult. You have to stand out from the cornucopia of games that are out there. Right now, I’m exploring games with elements of satire or social commentary – games that do not stick to the regular formula.

Stiff Competition on App Stores Globally

Was there an idea you really believed in that no one else did? How did that pan out?

Mobile games now come with video ads you can watch to earn in-game bonuses. We once had the idea to profile the user-base to see how many people would watch ads over and over again, sometimes, or not at all. There’s no good way to say this but the idea was to track and sell this data from multiple apps to game companies, but the CEO of InMobi discouraged us from pursuing this. A few days later, we found out that another company raised $5 million doing just that.

Any advice for aspiring game developers?

Not all ideas get made. The competition is so high, making a game and putting it out there doesn’t make you money anymore. You’ve got to design the game that hooks you onto it to keep you playing, or have in-game purchases. Even then, only about 3% of the audience will make a purchase. So essentially, you have to make a game good enough for this 3% to spend a lot of money on.

Screenshot from Speed Street 2

Rushil Pawar’s science-fiction fuelled shape-shifting fantasies were ingrained in his mind from a young age. During his second semester in MIT, his fascination with hardware and magically creating objects out of thin air caused his vision to find itself a place in real life. Assisted by an online community of 3D Printing enthusiasts and, at key moments, by his father, Rushil created ‘Glow’ – his first functioning 3D Printer – in his hostel room.

From disassembling a washing machine stand to create the bones of the printer, to arriving at the frustrating conclusion that a simple ‘true’ or ‘false’ statement could make or break his project, Rushil Pawar ventured the internet and beyond to create a 3D Printer that could be accessible to the masses.

He shifted his focus on creating his own product rather than simply making use of another’s design. Building on an early adulation of science-fiction, he explained, “Back then, my idea of converting one object to another felt like a huge deal. It seemed revolutionary.” He realised that his past, mildly ingenuous idea had a certain weight to it, and that the notion of creating new objects – seemingly out of thin air – wasn’t as far-fetched as he thought it was.

Having founded a start-up ‘Rapturise’ which aims at turning manufacturing into a household activity, Rushil envisions a future where you could print a cell phone in your living room.

This is the start of an epic multi-dimensional quest.

Rushil with his 3D Printer, ‘Glow’

In his ninth grade, Rushil Pawar began research for a pet project called ‘the Ultimate Cell’. This idea was a manifestation of science fiction and a newfound knowledge of physics and applied sciences. “The fundamental unit of everything is the same – atoms,” he explained. He dreamt of learning how to shape-shift objects like pens into tape, and this was an idea that stuck with him throughout high school.

Building the Dream

When Rushil started working on his 3D Printer in the second semester, his focus shifted to hardware. To build his fantasy, he grounded himself to research. Reluctant to take help from open source material available online, he decided to pursue the project all on his own – and, after a few iterations, he could come up with the first prototype. A perfectionist at heart, Rushil feels that he may never stop tinkering, “This will continue until I come up with a version of the printer that I feel satisfied with – one with minimum glitches and faults.”

The base materials he used were ordinary – household objects that were easy to acquire. You would think that this made his job easier, but think again. He used iron rods from a washing machine stand by completely disassembling it, which wasn’t a task for the weary. While the iron did serve the purpose of supporting the structure of the 3D printer, it couldn’t provide complete stability to it – which led Rushil to other materials such as aluminium and ultimately mild steel.

He did hit snags on his way. One time, he couldn’t control the upward and downward motion of the bed on which the 3D printed specimen is formed. “It was so frustrating to be stuck at something so fundamental – just a messed up true or false.” he sighed.

What kept him going is his dedication to hardware. We asked Rushil for soft renderings of his work, to which replied that he prefers to build rather than simulate. He tried finding components and material that are local, instead of relying on the internet’s unobtanium.

In this way, whenever he struggled with a technicality, he relied on the fact that he already had a very real and very working printer. All he had to do was keep improving the design.

Fiction No More

© MakerBot

Aside from his shape-shifting fantasies, Rushil feels that 3D Printing has real potential. Manufacturing processes are ever-evolving, and 3D Printing can dramatically reduce the prototyping cost. There’s also no wastage of materials and filament. The now currently-used alternative to 3D Printing is subtractive manufacturing, which involves cutting material to form the product. 3D Printing is additive manufacturing, which as the name suggests will involve creating the product from ground up, rather than top-down – as is the case with subtractive manufacturing.

Courtesy: Joshua Harker

Another major advantage of 3D Printing is the ability to produce intricate objects like the one shown above. This is not possible using traditional machining. Add to that the sheer number of filament materials and colours available, and the possibilities are endless.

Courtesy: Rapturize

Some intriguing products that Rushil has made so far are half a dozen phone cases in an array of colours. The cases have an inbuilt air tunnel that amplifies the sound produced by the phone’s speakers – effectively acting as bigger speakers at almost none of the price. The most exciting thing? The phone cases are available online, ready to download.

What Lies Ahead?

Rushil’s future plans include pursuing 3D printing in the field of dental sciences. His venture into 3D Printing has caught the eye of many an investor. His ultimate aim is to make 3D Printing a viable option for the masses – by making it cheaper and more accessible. While the concept of 3D printing is not new to us, its various zany purposes are unknown to most.

3D Printing with graphene. Courtesy: Pawel Ślusarczyk

Another area Rushil may branch into is printing with graphene – a very conductive element. With this, it is possible to print circuits. Extrapolate that a little further, and you may soon be able to print a cell phone in your room.

After spending a solid year in research, followed by months of working with hardware, Rushil has seen his toil paying off. To everyone who is struggling with starting a project of his own, Rushil says, “Just start.” Once you invest time and money in it, and see your work gradually coming to fruition, you will want to see it to the end. All it takes is the first step.

Sixty years is a long time. Sixty years ago, our government failed to educate its citizens. India had a literacy rate of 18%, contrasting the current 74%. Contemplating the 1950s, most slip into torpor. Lodged between the exhilarating but tragic ’40s and later decades of shimmering aspiration, the ’50s seem almost a black & white newsreel.

For the 1950s, as lived, were precarious times: years in which solutions to crises – political, economic, and international – had to be invented on the fly. Such was the socio-political climate of India when Dr. TMA Pai laid the foundation for what was then known as Manipal Engineering College (MEC). Our college had humble beginnings. For the first few months in 1957, classes were held in the Kasturba Medical College campus. It was only until the end of that year that we had a campus to hold classes in.

Evidently, times have changed – and so has our campus. In 2007, MIT’s Golden Jubilee celebrations heralded the construction of our Innovation Center (IC). Over the last decade, it has served many fine engineers by incubating their projects. Our institution has grown by leaps and bounds since the foundation stone, and the Diamond Jubilee Year is an excellent time to reflect on the sea-change that has been MIT.

It’s been sixty years – and the college never stops counting the years ahead. Our entire landscape is poised to develop – be it the standard of academics, the culture of extra-curricular activity, or even the road to class every morning. The familiar walk from the Food Court to the classroom will be very different by the end of next year. You may well find yourself walking through the Student Plaza, and right alongside students hard at work in the TechShop’s project bays. The road to class may not even be just a road anymore – if you choose to walk on the bituminous race track Shell Oil Company is working on behind the IC.

Student Plaza

Courtesy: Sundaram Architects Pvt Ltd

At a Glance:
Expected Completion Date – August 2018
Contains – Amphitheatre, Shops/Convenience Stores (vegetable and fruit vendors, a tailor’s shop, a stationery stall with photocopying facilities, a florist’s stall, a unisex saloon, a boutique for ladies), Recreation Spots (ice cream parlour, a restaurant, and a coffee house), ATM vestibules

While most of Ancient Rome and Machiavellian Italy considered its ‘Plazas’ or ‘Piazzas’ to be the epicenter of its cultural community, it also sometimes served as a public space to bring conspirators and thieves to justice by way of the executioner’s hand. Although it is unlikely that MIT’s Plaza will fulfill all the purposes of a traditional town-square, it does fully intend to obey a Plaza’s most important feature – being central to the lives of the townsfolk.

Set to be at the hearth of MIT’s thriving social life, this 26,000 square feet complex has aspirations beyond its mere novelty. Aside from reinforcing an already wide ranging, world-class infrastructure, the Plaza hopes to play host to the numerous cultural activities (such as street plays or music performances) of the student populace with its amphitheater. This could serve as the hub for most Revels and Pre-Revels events.

Courtesy: Sundaram Architects Pvt Ltd

However, even as Public-Space archetypes are commonly known for their exhibitionist aspects, they are specially valued for their intimate design, that is to say, the existence of private spaces within public ones. This is seen in the numerous shops and businesses that will occupy the Plaza. They include vegetable and fruit vendors, a tailor’s shop, a stationery stall with photocopying facilities, a florist’s stall, a unisex saloon, and a boutique for ladies; not to mention the two ATM vestibules.

Apart from being a one-stop shopping center for any student’s essentials, it will also offer recreational spots for its visitors in the form of an ice cream parlour, a restaurant, and a coffee house. The structure will be segregated into two floors with a fountain in the center. Initial estimates put the project completion time at eighteen months, starting from February this year.

Courtesy: Sundaram Architects Pvt Ltd

The original renderings of the Plaza indicate massive pillars, multiple archways, tinted glass paneling, and effervescent greenery. Though the project boasts of a seven crore investment, its true spatial value will be realized when it teems with students. After all, this Plaza too – not unlike its more ancient counter-parts – stands to become a potent symbol of self-identity.

MIT Tech Shop

At a Glance:
Expected Completion Date – November 2018
Contains – Project Bays, Centralized Facility for Testing, Autodesk Center (Design and CAD Lab), Seminar Hall, Student Activity Center, Student Council Room, Classrooms for Discussion, Basketball Courts

For years, MIT has promoted student activity. The students have, in return, made inroads in national and global competitions. However, times are changing. Industry requirements for engineers have multiplied – with increasingly more companies looking for employees with hands-on experience in the field. There is a growing need for “experiential learning”. To fulfill this need, the college plans on having a single facility dedicated to all student activity – the MIT TechShop.

The TechShop boasts an ambitious design and an even more ambitious purpose – to house all extra-curricular activity under one roof. This will undoubtedly have a major effect on student life. MIT has big plans in store for this all-in-one megastructure. For starters, it will be located just across the road from 13th Block (Girls Hostel).

Proposed Site Map (Courtesy: Sundaram Architects Pvt Ltd)

The current plan suggests that this building will have five floors, with two basketball courts and a viewing gallery flanking the structure.

The Ground Floor will have eighteen Project Bays for Student Projects (including Formula Manipal, Team Manipal Racing, and others). The Bays are being constructed to allow convenient service and repair for the vehicles.

Ground Floor Plan (including Project Bays and Basketball Courts) (Courtesy: Sundaram Architects Pvt Ltd)

The others floors will house multiple classrooms and discussion rooms for student activity. The college’s vision is to shift all extra-curricular activity into one building – with dedicated space for Student Projects, Student Council, and Student Exchange Programs (AIESEC, IAESTE). Student Bodies (like The MIT Post and The Editorial Board) and other clubs may see their offices shifted to the TechShop in the coming few years.

And there’s still more to be done around this structure. To aid students involved in racing projects, MIT has collaborated with Shell Oil Company to construct a bituminous race track. The track will be situated behind the Innovation Center – to be used as traffic thoroughfare during the day and cordoned off for racing at night.

Shell’s Bituminous Race Track for the Bugatti Circuit, Le Mans

MIT KEF R&D Center

At a Glance:
Expected Completion Date – November 2017
Contains – Design studios, Well-equipped casting and testing laboratories for precast joints, beams, and slabs, modelling and simulation laboratories, a conference hall, and a museum.

Out of the many buildings slated for construction in MIT, the KEF R&D Center stands out as an anomaly. Why? Because it won’t be built on site – rather, it will be constructed offsite and transported to campus. This center not only plans on aiding research in construction science – but it’s a construction marvel by itself.

In a move that will work towards providing a cutting edge research & development facility to civil engineering and architecture students, MIT has tied up with KEF Holdings – a Singapore-based multinational holding company that specializes in innovative offsite construction technology – to set up a state of the art R&D Center.

Mr. Faizal E. Kottikollon laying the foundation for MIT KEF R&D Center in November 2015

This is with support from one of MIT’s distinguished alumni, Mr Faizal Kottikollon. The R&D Center will provide budding engineers with practical know-how about offsite construction and aims to enrich the research and academic curriculum.

“Having graduated in Civil Engineering from MIT and also my MBA from TAPMI, I have deep regard for the institution. I have always wanted to make a contribution towards strengthening the R&D facility of my alma mater; I am happy that we as a company could make this a reality”, Mr Faizal said.

The proposed facility will cover about 28,000 square feet – comprising several design studios, well equipped casting and testing laboratories for precast joints, beams, and slabs, modelling and simulation laboratories, a conference hall, and a museum. The knowledge and hands-on experience that the students gather at the MIT KEF R&D Center can be put to good use at the KEF Infra One industrial park in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu – as the company plans to hire talent from the university for internships as well as full time roles.

Food Court

Courtesy: Sundaram Architects Pvt Ltd

At a Glance:
Expected Completion Date – August 2017
Contains – Seating for 1056 students, live kitchen counter

The new Food Court will reflect the same purposes served by the existing one. It is located near the Boy’s Hostel Blocks and is being developed to compensate for MIT’s growing student population. However, that should no longer be a problem as current construction plans indicate a 32,270 square feet structure that can seat over 1,000 students at a time.

As far as concept sketches go, the preliminary designs showcase the Food Court in primitive colours with elaborate fixtures that make it all the more contemporary in style. Using a concept known as structural glazing, the building captures an even more transparent appearance and is far from your average mess hall. The interiors too boast of unique features such as the latest in kitchen design, centralized air-conditioning, and a live kitchen counter as well. Consisting of two floors, the Food Court will be operational as soon as this August.

New Ladies’ Hostel (Block 22)

At a Glance:
Expected Completion Date – November 2017
Contains – 238 rooms with double occupancy, all air-conditioned.

The New Ladies Hostel is located quite near the Student Plaza, and is expected to be complete this year. We spoke to the architects hard at work, and they offered to give us a tour of the construction site.

Rendering of a room in Block 22

The new rooms are slated to look like the rendering above. Apart from providing double occupancy and air-conditioning, each room also comes with vinyl artwork on the wall. Our tour of the room in construction gave us photos quite similar to this rendering.

Actual Photo taken on site