I've been at IIT BHU for six years, so I think I have a pretty solid grasp on what life is like here.
Overall, there are some areas where things could be better. It's a bit sad to see tea stalls always packed while libraries stay empty, but that's just how people are. Despite what some biased media might say about safety issues for girls, trust me, it's totally safe here.
These are just my personal experiences and aren't influenced by any group trying to smear this amazing university. You'll truly love it here, and once you leave, you'll really miss it.
To sum it up, how's life at BHU? It's where life truly thrives! Live long and prosper.
Edit: Rickshaw drivers are charging more than 20 rs. now. (Thanks to the comments for pointing this out)
Edit 2 (Three years later): BHU was founded by a truly great person with selfless intentions. Thanks to his vision, students here often go on to live decent lives. I've seen students from very poor backgrounds achieve amazing things and lift their families out of poverty. So if you're studying here and feeling overwhelmed with exams and practicals, hang in there. It gets better, and one day you'll be grateful to the university's founder for this opportunity.
Jai Hind, Jai Malviya.
IIT Bombay is like a dream come true for anyone who has prepared for the JEE. Walking onto the campus for the first time was surreal. If you've seen the movie Chhichhore, our life here at IIT Bombay is quite similar to what you see in that film. Sounds awesome, right? It really is. The hostels, like H4 and H3, are just like in the movie, and I've been assigned to H2. The rooms are quite small, so you rarely find students in their own rooms; they're usually hanging out in a friend's room doing all sorts of crazy stuff. I even have a friend who hasn't been to his room in weeks. He just crashes at a friend's place.
There's no curfew here. You can come and go from the hostels whenever you want, and it's the same for the girls too. Our day starts in the afternoon, which might sound odd, but it's true. We usually sleep around 5 am and wake up by 2 pm. The sports facilities here are fantastic. We have everything from indoor basketball and volleyball courts to swimming pools, gymkhana grounds, and a gym in each hostel.
When it comes to academics, or acads as we call them, it's a bit tough. Even the smartest students often fall asleep in class. Regardless of what the professor is teaching, about 90% of the students zone out, and this puts a lot of pressure on us during exams. It's kind of funny when you think about it.
Then there are the events. Mood Indigo and Techfest are the highlights of our time here. They're the biggest fests in Asia, and the days spent attending them are unforgettable. You get to meet amazing personalities like Dipika Padukone, Nitish Tiwari, KK, and Barkha Singh. The pronites at Mood Indigo are the best part, featuring incredible bands like The Magic Band, DJ Snake, Lost Stories, and KK. Nobody leaves without having a great time. Techfest is equally amazing.
That's a quick snapshot of life at IIT Bombay. To truly experience it, I would just say, come visit IIT sometime. Pardon any grammar mistakes. Thanks, Balbhadra Daxini.
Just recently, I had the opportunity to be a guest speaker at the IIT Bombay E-Summit 2019. The sheer magnitude and scope of the event left me utterly impressed. For a moment, it felt like I had stepped into a conference right out of Silicon Valley. Everywhere you turned, there were banners and sponsorships from big-name startups. The range of speakers was both varied and impressive.
The buzz and excitement in the air matched any industry-led startup event. The fact that it was entirely student-organized made it even more remarkable. Seeing the level of exposure IIT Bombay students receive while still in college really blew me away. Back when I was studying at IIT Kanpur, the concept of a 'startup' was completely foreign to us. It's clear that times have evolved.
I truly hope that all IITs and tech institutes can provide their students with the same kind of opportunities and support. Kudos to IIT Bombay! Keep it up—I'm sure IIT Kanpur will catch up soon!