India, June 29 -- There are very few institutions in India that command respect even from those who never had the privilege of studying there. The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are amongst such institutes.

In fact, there is a large section of Indians who dreamed of entering an IIT but never did. Yet the urge to study at and be associated with any such institute remains. The same is true for this writer.

Back then, I imagined myself working in state-of-the-art laboratories, spending sleepless nights inventing something that really made a difference in society. Those dreams and imaginations faded as soon as I realised the truth.

Despite my earnest efforts, I could not clear the entrance exam, nor did I have the courage to wait ...