The Parting GenSecs: Vivek Dixit
By: Surmai, Nandita, Abhilasha
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’.
VIVEK DIXIT
EX-GENERAL SECRETARY, HOSTEL AFFAIRS
The hostel secretary is a paramount part of the student community in IIT Patna looking over all the responsibilities of the hostel and everything that happens in the hostel concerning the students. Despite numerous difficulties, this responsibility has been handled smoothly by Vivek Dixit for the year 2021-22 as the General Secretary of Hostel Affairs. Here are some of the questions that we asked him about his journey, unending responsibilities, ups and downs he faced, and his expectations from the upcoming student body.
Q: How was your experience being a Hostel Secretary? Do share your experience and takeaways from your tenure.
Vivek - It was very insightful and I honestly enjoyed the whole process. I have learned so many things at IIT Patna, especially while being in this position, which I doubt I would have been able to learn otherwise. There are a lot of things that I am proud of, like taking all the tough decisions through the time of the pandemic. I was lucky enough to make a lot of memories during my tenure like on Diwali, Puja occasions, and many other official programs. The best part according to me is the feeling you get when you become the reason why people are able to live comfortably on campus or when you’re able to solve their problems and bring changes to the system. So, I would like to say that one should only contest for a position in the Gymkhana if you feel good by doing something for others otherwise it is not for you and you are going on a wrong path.
Q: To what extent do you think you were able to fulfil your promises? What were the facilities you provided to all the hostelers besides the points mentioned in your manifesto?
Vivek - I think I was not able to fulfill all the promises I made, for example, I had planned to initiate the opening of a fruit juice corner near the hostel and a night canteen near each hostel so I don’t think I performed my best but due to situations like the COVID outbreak, I had to divert my entire attention towards helping the students who were quarantined and manage whatever they needed. Apart from the things that I had mentioned in my manifesto, I was able to provide single occupancy rooms for senior students and bi-monthly mess fees for mess facilities which I hope helped a lot of people.
Q: If you had a chance to change one decision you took as a hostel secretary, what it would be? And what message would you like to give to the upcoming hostel secretary?
Vivek - I did not pay attention to the selection of the current mess tender. That was one of my biggest mistakes, I didn't take this decision entirely by myself but it was in my hands so I should have taken better care of it and it is my biggest regret from my time as the hostel secretary. The one piece of advice that I would like to give to the next hostel secretary is that always try to be a bridge that helps connect the Admin and the students. There will be lots of mistakes made by both sides but you need to learn to manage all of them and bring everybody to a point of mutual agreement.
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