Confident and ready to take on life's new challenges, Rahul, is excited about stint at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As his parents were both IIT-ians, Rahul made them proud by keeping the IIT tradition intact and passed out with flying colours. Rahul, who hails from Kolkata has settled in Mumbai.

IIT experience

Studying at IIT is an amazing experience because it is a pool of brains from diverse backgrounds. We get to meet and interact with people from different backgrounds: this helps instill in us many good qualities. It teaches you more and more. The qualities in several people appeal to you and our interaction with them help us develop into better individuals.

Your intellect matters too and, of course, a bit of luck!

Mantra for success

I had my father as a role model. I also put in a lot of hard work: about 8 to 9 hours everyday after the 10th standard.

Advice to IIT aspirants

Work hard. Keep your focus, be good at handling problems. Put in a lot of effort. Start right form your 10th standard.

The most important things is not just getting an admission in an IIT, but you learning to utilise the time and resources at the IIT in the best possible manner. I know a lot of people who has wasted their time here as they get a lot of freedom.

Never be disappointed even if you don't make it, the preparation for this exam will help you wherever you go.

Next move

I'm very excited about going to Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is a great honour. The IIT brand name and the score at IIT definitely help to get admission. Your research intent must also be sincere, focussed and committed. The institute should be impressed with your statement of purpose as well.

Future plans

I would like to start my own company on infrastructure development. We have a lot of ancient monuments in India. I plan to research and development solutions to build cost effective solution for the restoration of ancient monuments and as well as damaged buildings in India.

Learning infrastructure asset management, sensor technology and cost-optimisation would be a great challenge. Many foreign countries have implemented this. As this is a cost-intensive sector, it is imperative to find a solution that saves money.

Interests Swimming, writing and reading.

Photograph: Rahul Bhattacharjee, Topper, M Tech dual degree in Civil Engineering.