IIT Bombay Alumnus Shares Mental Health and Hostel Fee Struggles
Deepak Baghel, a former IIT Bombay student and the current CEO of Mielo India, has taken to LinkedIn to share his experiences of battling mental health challenges and financial difficulties during his time at the prestigious institute.
Baghel candidly recounts contemplating suicide in the early hours of the morning while gazing at Powai Lake and Hotel Renaissance from his hostel room window. However, he found solace in a photograph of his father, remembering his struggles and the importance of his presence in his life.
Baghel lists four challenges that compounded his difficulties at IIT Bombay. Firstly, he faced personal struggles when he was locked out of his hostel room by the warden due to unpaid hostel fees, leaving him feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Financial constraints also weighed heavily on him, as his mother’s salary was delayed, and he had to arrange funds for his sister’s medical college fees.
Academically, Baghel struggled to comprehend English questions as he had studied in a Hindi medium school. He recounts being publicly criticized by a professor for failing a first-year course and retaking it in his fifth year. This incident left him humiliated and shattered his confidence.
The rigid Academic Reinforcement Program rule also posed challenges for Baghel. After failing a course due to this rule, his Moodle account was deactivated for six months, forcing him to handle all tasks offline. This made course registration difficult, as professors questioned his previous failure. The constant embarrassment compounded his struggles.
Baghel’s story highlights the importance of seeking support and sharing one’s struggles with others. He emphasizes that even seemingly successful individuals can face mental health challenges and that it is essential to prioritize well-being and seek help when needed.
