The 2006 IIT-JEE topper in the country, Raghu Mahajan, who quit IIT after two years of studying the computer science and engineering programme, is currently doing his doctorate in theoretical physics from Stanford University. Mahajan was pursuing his B Tech from IIT-Delhi and in May 2008 he decided to quit the premier institute midway to pursue physics and mathematics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In an email interaction with TOI, Mahajan, said that he found the academic environment at IIT-Delhi 'quite depressing' much to his disappointment, when some of his friends who had gone to MIT right after class 12, told him how intellectually inspiring their experience was. "I was doing computer science at IIT-Delhi because of social pressures. I transferred to MIT mainly because I wanted to study physics. The physics department at IIT-Delhi is not that strong in theoretical physics that I wanted to pursue," said Mahajan. Like him, last year's JEE (Advanced) topper, Chitraang Murdia also is planning to quit IIT-Bombay to pursue his passion in physics. Though several students seek a change in branch after their first year at IITs, very few quit the institute.
After having six papers published in the top physics journal in the US, Mahajan is more than happy about the choice he made eight years ago. "My current career plan is to stay in physics research after finishing my Ph D and pursue one or two post doctorate, before becoming a tenure-track professor. The post-doctorate and faculty job market is very narrow at the top, so I have my fingers crossed," said Mahajan. In the long term, he intends to come back to India, but definitely after completing his first post doctorate in the US.
The Chandigarh boy had recently helped the Aam Aadmi Party for developing their manifesto for the 2015 Delhi assembly elections. Speaking about the raging debate over the choice of jobs made by IITians after spending years in the premier institutes, Mahajan said, "I do not think that investment banks, hedge funds, and consulting are 'bad' jobs. I also disagree with the expectation that smart people should do research instead of 'running after money'."
"Students are only 17 when they enter IIT, and at that age, almost no one knows what they really want to do in life. Research is not 'purer' or 'more superior' than other careers. I pursued it because I had a hunch I would be good at it, and I really liked it," he concluded.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/6-JEE-topper-quit-IIT-has-6-physics-papers-under-belt/articleshow/47378528.cms
In an email interaction with TOI, Mahajan, said that he found the academic environment at IIT-Delhi 'quite depressing' much to his disappointment, when some of his friends who had gone to MIT right after class 12, told him how intellectually inspiring their experience was. "I was doing computer science at IIT-Delhi because of social pressures. I transferred to MIT mainly because I wanted to study physics. The physics department at IIT-Delhi is not that strong in theoretical physics that I wanted to pursue," said Mahajan. Like him, last year's JEE (Advanced) topper, Chitraang Murdia also is planning to quit IIT-Bombay to pursue his passion in physics. Though several students seek a change in branch after their first year at IITs, very few quit the institute.
After having six papers published in the top physics journal in the US, Mahajan is more than happy about the choice he made eight years ago. "My current career plan is to stay in physics research after finishing my Ph D and pursue one or two post doctorate, before becoming a tenure-track professor. The post-doctorate and faculty job market is very narrow at the top, so I have my fingers crossed," said Mahajan. In the long term, he intends to come back to India, but definitely after completing his first post doctorate in the US.
The Chandigarh boy had recently helped the Aam Aadmi Party for developing their manifesto for the 2015 Delhi assembly elections. Speaking about the raging debate over the choice of jobs made by IITians after spending years in the premier institutes, Mahajan said, "I do not think that investment banks, hedge funds, and consulting are 'bad' jobs. I also disagree with the expectation that smart people should do research instead of 'running after money'."
"Students are only 17 when they enter IIT, and at that age, almost no one knows what they really want to do in life. Research is not 'purer' or 'more superior' than other careers. I pursued it because I had a hunch I would be good at it, and I really liked it," he concluded.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/6-JEE-topper-quit-IIT-has-6-physics-papers-under-belt/articleshow/47378528.cms
