Invisible Humans of IITB

Born and raised in Vikhroli, Mumbai, Bhavesh Harishchandra Shah, fondly known as "Dhun-wale Uncle", has become an integral yet often unnoticed part of IIT Bombay's student life. After completing his schooling at St. Joseph High School, he pursued a B.Com from K J Somaiya College. His early career took him to Mumbai’s Diamond Market, where he worked as a manager. However, despite the long working hours, the pay remained unsatisfactory, and the lack of family time made the job unfulfilling. Seeking better opportunities and a more stable work-life balance, Bhavesh eventually found his way to IIT Bombay in 2016, hoping to build a more sustainable future. Here, he established his small shop (‘Dhun’, near H16), which has since become a lifeline for students, whether for daily essentials, snacks, or casual conversations that offer a moment of relief in their hectic academic lives. Being fluent in Hindi, English, Gujarati, and Marathi makes it easy for him to connect with students from different backgrounds. Over the years, he has become a familiar, comforting presence, especially for students living far from home—some of whom still return to his shop even after shifting to new hostels. In the face of difficulties posed by high electricity bills, rent and wages, he remains steadfast in his commitment to the students, offering them not just convenience, but a sense of home away from home.

Nestled between H11 and new SAC, Dinesh Yadav, the warm-hearted owner of Krishna Soup, Juice & Salad, has been serving IIT Bombay students for the past five years, ensuring they get a refreshing and nutritious snack on the go. Originally from Andheri, Mumbai, Dinesh came to the city at just 17 years old, working tirelessly under a boss before taking the leap to start his own venture here at campus. He has studied till 5th grade, but his determination and hard work have helped him build a thriving business. Now, at IIT Bombay, he finds joy in his work, serving fresh, wholesome juices and salads to students looking for a quick and healthy meal. When asked about life at IITB, he simply smiles and says, "It feels nice." Business is good, but more than that, it’s the connections he’s built with students that make it worthwhile. He takes great pride in being the provider of nourishing snacks, knowing he plays a small but meaningful role in the lives of students.

'You get the ultimate satisfaction when you give something' said Dr. Sujala Ainapure.
A lovely, cheerful woman and sports enthusiast also, who is currently a paediatrician in IIT Bombay Hospital. Dr Sujala was brought up in Bombay. Since her childhood, it was her dream to be able to help and heal people and this was the motivation that drove her towards being a doctor. She acquired the degrees of MBBS, DCH and MD(paediatrician) from TNMC Mumbai. She came to IIT Bombay for the first time to attend Mood Indigo when she was doing her first year MBBS. She liked IIT- B campus but had never imagined that she will end up being a doctor here, giving 30-year service in the IIT hospital.
During the initial few years of her service, she realised that she was not able to utilise her knowledge and experience as a paediatrician to the full extent as number of children was less. During that time the cases of asthma were significant and many of them required oxygen, injections and often had to get admitted to the hospital. It was the time when nebulizers and inhalers were just introduced. So in 1994 she started asthma clinic to give care to this asthma patients as to reduce their misery with new techniques (nebulizers and inhalers). After starting asthma clinic and use of inhalers and nebulizers, the rate of admissions and injections dropped to less than 10% within a one year only. She treated and still treats asthma holistically by using various ways like Yoga, Meditation, acupressure which she has found useful along with modern medicines and test. With this, curing the patients or at least bringing them under good control is not difficult. The Asthma clinic is till today regularly conducted on every Thursday Morning between 10.00 am to 1.00 pm in IIT hospital. .
Once her 5-year-old patient was diagnosed with foot paralysis and none of the medicines or multiple physiotherapy sessions tried for six months were of any use. At that time she came to know that acupuncture may help such cases. So she learnt techniques of acupuncture from the scratch just to treat the child and to her surprise, it worked".

Meet 53-year-old Jayprakash D Sanas who is serving IIT Bombay from last 25 years as a postman. Before joining post office, he had experience of 10 years of work in the press. Then he joined as a postman and got a transfer to IIT Bombay.
'I live in Dombivali and daily do up and down from home to IIT-Bombay post office. I have 2 children. My son is in 4th year (BSc IT) and my daughter has completed engineering. In Dombivali, I also often help in tree plantation scheme conducted by the government. I tell people the importance of natural resources and cleanness and healthy environment for society.'
I was able to take education until only 10th standard because my family background was not good at my school time to continue further studies. Also, my parents are illiterate so already being poor, it was difficult to help the other poor. So I had to work hard and help my family first'
'Now Jayprakash earns a good salary. He says, 'He worked very hard and got a promotion after 16 years of joining as a postman. I still remember (with a silent smile on his face) my first salary was 4500 per month at the age of 18 years old. So I started to earn money due to poverty but I always have a dream to achieve something big in life!'
Today, he stands in a better financial condition and happily says 'Mujhee mera kaam pasand hai aur main mera kaam pure imandari se karta hun. Logo ki seva karne me muhje accha lagta hai'. He adds, 'Hum Sandesh leke jate hai, hum logo ko khushi aur gum batate hai, sandesh ke madhyam se'
He gives a wonderful message by saying, 'Always take care of the environment. As a human being, it's not our choice, but it's our responsibility to take care of nature and natural resources. Also, it's our responsibility to explain society importance of cleanness and natural resources. Students should concentrate on study and dream big and simultaneously make a plan to go in that direction to achieve your dream for a better future. They must realise that our nation is dependent on villages and villages are dependent on us, so indirectly whatever is your decision, it's going to be the decision of nation!'

We are not permanent IIT workers and have been fighting for workplace safety and social justice for the past 3 years.Two of my colleagues passed away last year on duty because IIT hospital refused to treat them.I work my ass-off every day for 9-10 hours to provide service to campus residents and all I expect is to be treated like a dignified human being.I came from a poor family of farmers in a remote part of Maharashtra and even though I am not much educated, I always tell my child that education is the most important thing.I started working at the age of 14 due to poor financial conditions and had to drop out of school.
I have a dream that my child also becomes an IITian like you guys and that is what keeps me and my wife going !

I have a 12 hour long work duration.I'm doing this work for first time here.My parents live in Vidarbha and are farmers. Many people from my town work here, so do I. Economic conditions make me do this work.I work as well as study! I'm doing first year of my degree education right now. Admission has been taken at college in my town and I go there just to give my exams.

My husband drives an autorickshaw. I have been working in IIT Bombay since 7 years, the work is quite hectic but I have no choice.I don't have computer literacy and may be that's why I have to toil it out day in day out. We are not entitled to any medical facilities here.I have a young daughter. She goes to school. There is no discrimination there. Everyone behaves nicely.

I have been living here for almost a decade now due to the constant rise in construction works in the campus.We live in a place very close to dumpyard and that's the playground for our children. Diseases like malaria,dengue and viral fever are common for us.We don't have a holiday on Diwali. We get a day off on Dusshera though. Sunday is also a holiday but we prefer to work to get that extra day's wage.My daughter can't hear or speak and I have to go to outside hospitals to get her the treatment and since me and my wife both are at work we are unable to get proper medical treatment for our child.

I am originally from Jammu and Kashmir. My father shifted to Mumbai a long time back. We used to visit our grandparents during school vacations. The weather in Kashmir is so nice and cold, I loved it there. But, haven't visited there since marriage. My husband also works here in IIT as a carpenter. Now that I have two young kids, I hope they grow up to be like you people. I admire how students here study, stay away from home to build their future to eventually help their parents. I like the way they manage everything so beautifully without any parental support. You guys are obedient and would have taken advice of elders seriously.Papa always scolded me to study hard, but I just ignored him and see the result today. I don't want the same to happen with my kids.

I spent my entire childhood in IIT Bombay campus. My father used to work here but he is retired now. I studied till class 10th and then had to dropout of education for various reasons.I have been working here since 21 years. I like this place as it is calm and quiet. Everyone in my family has had their entire education in Marathi medium. But now, my two children attend St. Zavier's school and I feel proud that I have been able to provide quality education to them. What I like most about working at IIT Bombay is that I get a chance to witness Mood Indigo, IIT Bombay and Techfest, IIT Bombay every year since I help the organizers in managing their events held at SOM.The students are quite humble in their behaviour. There is an incident which I'll always remember - Once a student was very tired and was roaming around in frustration. It was lunch time so I invited him to have lunch with me. He joined me happily without any hesitation.I liked the gesture of equality he potrayed !

I want to open a coffee shop in Darjeeling, just like BrewBerries! Just a coffee machine and a refrigerator will do as finding a place is not a problem there. I started working here nine months ago, before that I worked in several hotels of Mumbai. The customers in hotels were very rude sometimes. But here students treat me like family. Even my boss is from IIT Bombay and he is just too good! The work also is very peaceful here, nothing hectic. Taking a holiday or coming late to work is seldom a problem. Sir is very cooperative.
All this while I have been working to save money in order to set up my own coffee shop. Papa is a driver in Darjeeling and mom works in a bank. I'll get married as soon as I settle down in life.
As a child I hated studies and read only till class 10th. After that, "feel hi nahi aayi".
And I don't regret my decision at all. I am happy with what I am today. I play guitar sometimes... that feels good !

I have been working in IIT Bombay since 23 years and it feels as if I have spent my entire life here. I have never faced problems with my job except the petty issues which arise occasionally. Everyone has problems, who doesn't ? The secret to happiness lies in looking at the big picture ! My family is well settled. My elder daughter is pursuing medical sciences,currently in her final year MBBS and is going to graduate soon.The younger one is getting free education in Kendriya Vidyalaya and is doing just fine. I am a relieved man with no worries.My daughters are my world and I am proud of them !

'I keep laughing most of the time. Laughter has kept me going all these years. Even at work people tell me, you keep laughing all 24 hours. I say, life is God's gift to us, he has sent us down to smile, not to cry, right? My journey has been full of challenges from the beginning. I have been working from the time when I came to Mumbai, in 1978 at the age of 21. First as a contract labourer, then tried my hand at business. After suffering losses in it, I started working as a BEST bus conductor. For me, life has been like playing hide and seeks with sunshine and shadow. One can't always expect shadow, you have to face the heat at times; the key is in enjoying the sunshine as well. Today God has given us everything we could have asked for. I get a decent salary here, which is used for my children's education. Now, after so much of hard work, I have relaxed a little, but not fully. Till my children start earning, I have to keep working.'

I'm Dilwar Nishaad originally from a small village called Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh. We are a total of eight siblings, four brothers and four sisters. My father's salary was the only source of income in our house, and hence due to poor financial conditions, I had to quit studies in 4th standard. I came to Mumbai, four years ago at the age of 16 to join my elder brother as a canteen worker in an upcoming building in Hiranandani. After switching many jobs in the nearby areas, I started to work here at sunrise. Our house runs with the help of my brothers and my earnings. I'm happy that due to my job, my younger siblings have the chance to complete their education, an opportunity I and my brother had to give up.

'My grandfather worked in IIT for 38 years. I remember coming to the campus riding a bicycle when I was a kid. Those days SAC office used to be between hostel 8 and hostel 11. I'm working here since 1998. One of the best things about my job is that I get to work with such a wide variety of amazing students, many well qualified people outside the campus do not have this privilege that I do. But a major disadvantage is that, I hardly have any holidays. Even during lunch, if a student calls me, I come rushing, because students are my top priority. I wish we were provided with more staff, since the number of students and activities keeps growing year by year, but staff stays the same. Nevertheless, I can provide my three daughters a good education with this job, and that's what keeps me contented.'

I used to work in a Courier Company when my friend recommended me for a vacant post here. At that time, the new lecture hall complex was just built, and my job was to handle the classes, and mend the required electrical equipments. I had to discontinue studies after 10th standard, owing to stressful financial situations at home. To clear loans and support my family, I started with whatever job I could find. One major trouble I face is that we hardly have any job security. A single error and there's a chance that we lose our jobs. Also we aren't eligible for any of the medical facilities that the institute provides. Apart from this, life is going on smoothly. The salary I receive is sufficient for a decent livelihood. We finally have been relieved of all our debts.

"What motivates you?"
"The hope that one day even my kids will come to buy corn from me as IITians"

'Tell us about your most memorable moment?'
'I've enjoyed every moment of the 30 years I spent here. But two moments stand out, winning the Best Worker Award in the Golden Jubilee year of IITB, and the setting up of the IIT Gandhinagar library, wherein I had a major contribution. There have also been some memorable, but not happy moments. Like once, my wife was hospitalized, but I just wasn't able to visit her'
'But why?'
'My shift hadn't ended. Just couldn't leave the students unattended'
'Yeah, we know that you love your students a lot. Any message for them?'
'I've always referred to them as my children. I always urge them to ‘waste' at least one hour of the day at the library. I would just like to tell them one thing: The institute has given you a lot, and you should give it something back in return. It's your responsibility. And also, stay in touch. Seeing mails from ex-students, asking me how I'm doing, or thanking me for the help, makes me the happiest'

'How did you decide to become a prof?'
'Actually, when I graduated, I was too young for a job (laughs). By the time I was 19, I had graduated with BE in Civil Engineering! Those days, the minimum age requirement for government jobs was 21 and hence, I wasn't eligible for any of those jobs. So I made up my mind to pursue higher education. I completed my masters from IISc Bangalore and did my PhD in Canada, and then joined decided to join as faculty in IIT Bombay in 1977.'

'What do you love the most about your profession?'
'One of the most wonderful aspect of teaching at IITB, as I feel, is the freedom offered to the professors. I am 73 now and officially should have been retired at age of 63. This academic year would conclude my 50 years in the field of teaching. And this is what I love about teaching, you can continue it for as long as you want to."

P.S: Prof. Pani is not exactly an "Invisible' Human of IITB. However, since he completes his golden jubilee this year as a prof, and we are in the Teachers' day week, we thought that we might as well show his story to the campus residents.

'It is quite a long time that you've been here.'
'Yes ! I have been here since 2002. We are two people and we alternatively take care of the shop in shifts from 8am to 5pm and 12pm to 11pm'
'So, where do you stay ?'
'I live in Kalyan and travel everyday. It takes me about an hour each side.'
'Then, what's your inspiration to travel this distance everyday ? As, we've never seen this shop closed. When all the others are closed, this shop is there to serve the purpose.'
'When the shop is closed, lots of students call up asking when I am going to come.The only reason this shop is open on Sunday's too is to meet the students' requirement. So that whenever they remember their assignments in the eleventh hour, they have someone to their rescue.'