I would have liked to join IIT, Khargapur as most of my friends went there. But with the Naxalite movement gaining ground the situation in West Bengal was very tense and my parents were keen to send me out of the state. So IIT-Kanpur was the next choice. It was there that my foundation of science and technology was laid. Also the hostel life, where I interacted with students from different parts of India had a great effect on me.

During this time an untoward incident happened in the family and I witnessed how a cousin of mine was harassed for dowry. I realised that the women in our society were not treated well. And even though my IIT friends agreed that something needed to be done to stop this inhuman practice we had no clue about a solution. However, we took a solemn pledge never to tread that path when we got married.

I also taught children in villages around IIT. There too I saw lot of injustice. And it was during this time that my feeling for the Naxalite movement was rekindled.

It was ironical that here I was sent away from Calcutta to escape being influenced by the Naxalite movement, and I found myself in the web right in Kanpur.

From IIT itself, I supported the movement in all possible ways. However, I did not approve of the violence that the Naxalites indulged in. I was also drawn towards the movement started by Jayaprakash Narayan.

I felt Gandhian philosophy had limitations and was influenced by the Left ideology. As a matter of fact I almost joined the Left movement.

When I graduated from IIT I realised I did not want to pursue a career in science and technology. I was more inclined towards politics and social activities. At that time my only ambition was to buy a radio to listen to music.

The Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur campus.
Photograph, courtesy: IIT Kanpur

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