Cops to Passport, Being an IITian May Help You Cross Many Hurdles

Good salaries, promising careers and being pride of the family, clan or even neighbourhood have always been considered as advantages of being an IIT student or an IIT graduate. But our askIITians experts tell us that the ‘IITian’ tag works magic beyond all these. Had you ever imagined that IITs could win you some legal advantages too? Here are just a few real-life experiences for you:

• Anurag says ‘IIT’ tag can protect you from minor crimes:

At IIT Roorkee, police just doesn’t arrest an IITian easily. It informs the Dean for disciplinary actions who sends them to 1-month of Yoga as punishment.” Here is one such disciplinary notice for you:

• Here’s another one from IIT Roorkee: 

Did you hear about the big ‘lipstick scandal’ at IIT-R that occurred a few years back? The story was that there was an informal event where boys had to apply lipsticks on girls’ lips without using their hands (or with their mouths). What was meant as some harmless fun turned out to be a great scandal for cultural idealists. There were threats and protests and we as participants of the events really got scared. However, the Dean called the media and said that they are probing into the matter. We have called the parents of the concerned students and have expelled them until investigation is over. As far as I know, we did not receive even a warning!

• Anirban narrates how IIT may protect you from traffic cops:

I was caught riding my bike without helmet and licence. I knew I would have to call my Dad now and the thought was scary to me. I was petrified. One of the traffic cops asked me, “Where are you going in such a hurry, man?” I mumbled, “To IIT. I am getting late for my classes.”  Just as I said it, I realized that this would probably not work at 8:30 pm! Luckily, the guy just heard ‘IIT’ and went deaf after that. He seemed aghast and asked, “You study at IIT?” When I nodded, he let me off with a gentle warning.   

• Shamit shares about IIT ticket to quick ‘Passport’:

As a student of IIT Guwahati, I applied for ‘Passport’ in Guwahati in August 2014. The city has a super-slow passport process system – just for the records. My police verification happened around December. The passport status said that my request will get processed by February 2015. In February, the Regional Passport Office (RPO) told me to wait for 4 more months! However, one of my seniors tipped me to submit a letter from my HOD at the RPO. To my surprise, on the same day, they messaged me that ‘Printing of your passport has been initiated’. Next day, I received another message that ‘Passport has been printed and ready to be dispatched’. In about 5 days, my passport was at my doorstep – thanks to the letter of my HOD and the IIT.

• Prithivi Raj shares how being an IITian facilitates bank loans:

Before being an IITian, I went to bank for a loan. My parents agreed to be my guarantors. Yet, they said that they could offer me not more than Rs 1.5 lakh. After I got in an IIT, I approached the bank again. This time, I did not have any guarantor and yet, bank offered me a loan of Rs 10 lakh! Being an IITian goes beyond career prospects, it does make a few things easier for you. 

• Aman Kulkarni shares some train tips for IITians:

Being an IITian, NITian, or student of any central government institute, your college ID card is enough for you to book a train ticket online. But I had an interesting incident. I and my friend from IIT-BHU were going to our hometown by train and our tickets didn’t get confirmed. The TT kept insisting us to give fine or get down at the next stop, until we told him that we are from IIT-BHU. He said, “Oh! You are from BHU? My daughter studies there. Ok! I will arrange a seat for you there.” Being an IITian helped us score a berth that day.

Do you have any such experiences to share too? Write to us at blog@askiitians.com .
Source:Quora