The First Student Response: Lets Redefine Our Attitude by Amrita Sharma, E-7/IIIrd Yr.

This is the first student response that we are publishing. The ideas expressed are writer's and the blog/editor's agreement or disagreement is not intended or implied.




Engineer – a person who controls engines or machines....this is how, the dictionary defines an engineer. But for us, as engineers-in-making, its time for some introspection. The question is: do we fit well into this definition or has the sudden effect of globalization and economic boom changed the point of view of an engineer? Let’s be candid and reconcile to this fact. As budding engineers we can very well sense this change in attitude towards engineering. The first thing that flashes our imagination when we think of being successfully placed is that we are working for some MNC and holding a coveted managerial post. But to me, this isn't something it ought to be. Its not that I am thoughtlessly skeptical and am loath to go with the demanding flow. It’s because this trend somehow alarms me of a bleakly situation that can crop up sometime if not in the offing. There is no dearth of work to be done in the hard-core engineering sector, but there is a dearth of willingness to work as an 'engineer', to whom, nothing can be more fascinating than playing a pivotal role in enhancing and consolidating technology, leave aside making money. With the evolution in technology, there has been an immense demand of R&D, to keep pace with the competition world over. And so, the redefinition of engineering is truly not required. If at all something is required, it is redefining our attitude towards engineering!

Let’s not forget that we, as engineers, are makers and managers of technology and not money. The world isn't running short of people who will take care of the rest! Money is just the return we get for our work and contribution this is how we eke out our living. We really didn't believe when Prof. Mukhopadhyay said that 'an engineer is some one who makes money and more money and even more money’.

We will be 'the’ engineers.

First Two Themes: Prof. D.Mukhopadhyay's Inaugural Address at E-Fiesta and The Farewell thats Around the Corner

We introduce the first two themes on this site:

(i) E-Fiesta seemed to have a huge audience but only on the 'cultural day'. When Prof. D. Mukhopadhyay from Jadavpur University, Kolkata made his 'inaugural', 'non-technical' speech on the Saturday morning there were not more than twenty students. And those who were not there missed something. In his witty, provocative manner, he 'gossiped' on the most existential of all questions: "Who is an Engineer?" and replied," An engineer is someone who makes money, and more money and even more money." He went on to talk about how engineers, best of them included i.e. IITians, are all consumed by this solitary target of making money and have somewhere lost their 'self-definition' which, he thought, included producing original knowledge and 'solving problems'. Our theme is : as engineers-in-making, how do you define yourself? What are your targets? How do you see yourself as a would-be engineer? How do you see/plan your future? Write the prototype of an engineer that you have in mind and write what is your future-self in your imaginations.

(ii) The IVth year MITSians are 'leaving' and one can already sense the feeling of valediction in the air. How do they look back on their life/lives in MITS? We make their farewell and looking back the second theme and invite write-ups, photo-essays, memoirs, messages from all of them - the IVth year travellers.

Welcome All

All students and fellow teachers are welcome to this webspace. Though primarily a project by the English people and intended at becoming 'a' way of learning the language, it invites posts and comments, literally on anything that interests those in academics professionally, and sometimes personally. Also intended to be a student-driven program and looking at the early response to the idea, we are all sure the students will soon take over the space. We intend to showcase outstanding write-ups (assignments and independent), creative outputs in form of writing, photography, painting, sculpting and designing of all kinds, and to host theme-based and random discussions, debates. Technical papers are also welcome! One of the constant themes will be the interface between technology/science and humanities. We feel there is a lot to be addressed in this field. We are also looking for volunteeer correspondents, sub-editors and columnists. Rush your CVs and responses to rajkiradoo@gmail.com.