I came to IIT Kanpur to study Mathematics and Scientific Computing. What I did not expect was how much I would end up learning beyond the classroom about AI, leadership, accessibility, and even myself. Here is my journey so far.

Why Math? Why Now?

Growing up, I was always curious about how things worked and why they sometimes do not. Math felt like a language that explained the world around me, not just in numbers but in patterns, decisions, and designs.

When I joined IIT Kanpur, I chose Mathematics and Scientific Computing because I wanted to go beyond rote problem-solving. I was drawn to statistical modelling, approximation techniques, and functional thinking - tools that help you build things that actually work in the real world. I may not follow traditional methods all the time, but I enjoy coming up with unique solutions that make sense.

Exploring AI, One Project at a Time

Over the past year, I have worked on AI projects across industries, academia, healthcare, finance, and accessibility. At Uolo EdTech, I developed an automated grading system for scanned student answer sheets. At ZSapiens, I built a chatbot for university counsellors.

Most recently, I have been part of a project that translates spoken English into American Sign Language (ASL) using animated avatars an effort that aims to make live communication more inclusive for the hearing-impaired community.

Each of these experiences taught me how powerful AI can be and how careful and thoughtful we need to be in designing it.

The Early Spark: And the Struggle Behind It

Cracking JEE was not easy. I prepared mostly through my school with help from teachers who believed in me. We did not have many resources, and financially, things were tight at home. But that phase taught me something more valuable than formulas: responsibility.

I also started helping my classmates by solving doubts, breaking down tough concepts, explaining things in ways that made sense to them. Teaching others deepened my own understanding and helped me build confidence. That habit still shapes how I approach group projects and mentorship today.

Leadership That Starts with Listening

I have always been eager to build things from websites to systems, but some of my most meaningful work has come from building communities. As Web Secretary and now UG Male Student Nominee for the Gender Cell, I have worked on everything from developing a privacy-aware support platform to organizing a 900+ participant marathon on campus.

I’ve also served as Secretary of the Adventure Sports Club and Leader of the Design & Construction Society, where we recently won 3rd place at Techkriti's Bridge Design Challenge. Across all these roles, I have learned that leadership is not always about directing. Sometimes, it’s about holding space, making resources accessible, and letting others grow.

Learning to Ask (and Apply)

One thing IITK taught me is that it never hurts to ask. Most of the internships I have done, from startups to research collaborations, none of them come from formal channels. I reached out to seniors, cold-messaged founders, or just expressed genuine interest. And it worked.

Sometimes, what opens doors is not a perfect resume it is showing that you are willing to learn and contribute.

Looking Ahead: Research, Impact, and AI for Good

My long-term goal is to pursue research in Machine Learning and LLMs, but I want to do more than just understand the math behind them. I want to explore how they can be made safer, more equitable, and more impactful in real-world contexts especially in areas like healthcare and education.

The Biggest Takeaway?

That you don’t have to wait to be an “expert” to start contributing. Whether it is coding, leading, researching, or advocating you just need curiosity, persistence, and a sense of responsibility.

And sometimes, that’s more than enough to make things happen.