As the Students' Gymkhana representatives of the year 2021-2022 end their tenure, we look back at their journey as Gymkhana core members, their ideas and vision for their respective councils, as well as their ongoing, incomplete, and complete projects. Read ahead to find out from none other than the ex-Gymkhana core members themselves - the VP, UGR, PGR and the GenSecs of the 5 different councils. This is an 8-part series with full-length interviews of ‘The Parting GenSecs’.
MUKESH KUMAR SINGH
EX-PG REPRESENTATIVE
The PGR serves as a communication conduit between PG students and the administration. As in Democracy, a majority vote elects the representative. But our former PGR, Mukesh Kumar Singh, won an uncontested election, which is a nod to his de rigueur character. Forthright was delighted to have recently caught up with Mukesh for a chat.
Q - What has been the most interesting/exciting/challenging task you have done as a PGR?
Mukesh - Bringing students back to the campus and conducting RSD (Research Scholars’ Day)
Bringing students back to the campus:
The online mode period was a critical time. It was also affecting the Ph.D. students, especially in the final years. Because to get a Ph.D. degree, one has to defend their thesis, which is basically the project work that they get published in a journal. And to complete it, they need access to the labs. Initially, the administration proposed that those willing to arrange accommodation for themselves near the campus could come. Around 60 people came forward, and out of that, around 10 were female students. This scenario continued for a while. Slowly we convinced the administration to open the campus. And it was done on a step-by-step basis.
Conducting RSD:
RSD stands for Research Scholars' Day. RSD is an initiative by research scholars to bring academic research to the fore. The event consists of talks by prominent personalities, poster presentations, sports activities, etc. This year, over 400 Ph.D. students participated in the sports events alone. Athletic events were also conducted for the first time this year. In the future editions of RSD, I wish to see the inclusion of the undergrads as well. A lot of B.Tech people came forward and asked me to have one contingent team from B.Tech as well. If we had allowed that, it would have been imbalanced and a huge injustice to the PG students. A combined team for a department would be better. I leave these ideas to the upcoming PGR and the next organizing team.
Q - Is there anything you would change about the way you performed? Why?
Mukesh - Not change exactly. There was an issue regarding the arrears of Ph.D. candidates. See, what happens is, that after two years of your Ph.D., you're supposed to undergo your registration and enhancement seminar. After which, your fellowship of ₹31000 increases to ₹35000. So what used to happen was that even if someone gives their seminar, say after the third year, their enhanced fellowship would be calculated from the second year onwards only, and they would get the arrears together after their seminar. But this time, it was decided that the enhancement of fellowship would be awarded after the seminar only and not after the second year. The decision was an appropriate one, no doubt about that. We are getting the fellowship for a reason, and it should be based on our performance. Otherwise, it'd be like freeloading on the government resources. But the time at which this decision was announced was not at all appropriate. Everyone's work came to a halt due to the lockdown. So the delay in their enhancement seminar was not their fault. I wish I'd done something about the issue.
Q - IIT Patna can't boast about an effective collaboration between undergraduate and postgraduate students. What's your comment on that?
Mukesh - That statement is not entirely true. From my experience as a mess secretary, I can say that the unity between UG and PG students was unequivocal at every point of decision-making.
But yes, we can say that a gap between UG and PG students does exist. A significant reason is that the PG students are too involved in their research work. When it comes to research, the bonding between the UG and PG would be difficult, per se. When you look at other IITs, even the Ph.D. and Master's students are as involved in sports and cultural activities as the B.Tech students. We are not there yet. But that trend is changing. It has to be said that if we can combine the energy and enthusiasm of the B.Tech students with the experience of the PG students, then IIT Patna will be on another level.
Q - What do you consider your most significant professional mistake as a PGR, and what did you learn from it?
Mukesh - I wouldn’t call it a mistake, but I was never hesitant to help anyone whatsoever. Even if it didn’t come under my authority, I would try my best to guide them in the best possible way. Even though being a PGR, my work was not limited to PG academic affairs and career counseling. One time a female Ph.D. student came to the campus. She was not allowed inside because her name was not on the list. It was a late night. I was informed about the matter. I went to the gate, and eventually, the issue was resolved. I like helping and interacting with people. But, this attitude has affected me in my work. But still, I enjoy it.
You’ve reached the end of this interview! Thank you for reading the 3rd part of the 8 part series - The Parting GenSecs. If you found this article interesting, do like the article and share it with your peers. Stay tuned for the rest of the series!