We got a few minutes alone with Air Marshal (Dr.) Janeja and he was open to the idea of being interviewed so we asked him a few questions.
Q) Sir, in your speech you mentioned that you had heard about Kaalrav before and that you always wanted to come. What were your expectations from it?
A) When I joined college, I heard from my faculty members that everyone looked forward to it but I couldn’t attend it last time as I joined later so I took this as a good opportunity to come here. When I was at AFMC, 96000 appeared for the entrance exams, out of them, 1000 were short listed and from those 1000, 100 boys and 25 girls were selected on the basis of co-curricular activities but when I saw the students at SMIMS, it was mind boggling. They were so good on the stage and off it. So I wanted to see what SMIT had to offer.
Q) When we first joined college, we thought that SMIMS was our sister college and that there would be plenty of interaction amongst us but the truth is, we never have any interaction. We hardly know what’s happening there. Why is it so?
A) The problem is with the academic sessions. When we have fests, you have semester exams so your college is unable to join. Even this time I had only one batch of students to bring here, the others are either on vacation or having their exams. This is the problem. We will try to prepone the next fest if possible in order to invite SMIT and the other colleges. I do believe that we should have more programmes together. Also, the invitation letter we got should have been more informational. We did not know many details like how many members could participate in the group dance.
Q) What is your take on our campus?
A) It is a lovely place. Situated right on the banks of river Teesta and I saw many people from all over the country here. The Vice Chancellor of SMU speaks highly of the quality of education in your college. I think that the college has a very bright future. The only problem I see is that it is far away from the city. There should be more entertainment facilities for the students.
Q) Sir, is there anything you would like to share about your college life?
A) When I got admission into AFMC, I had never ventured away from Delhi. These days, the father, mother, grandfather and grandmother all come along for admission of their ward. I had to go to Pune alone for my college. I got into a train and was charged 80 rupees by the T.T. for extra luggage. It was my first time. AFMC has made a man out of me. In those days, we had a lot of freedom. Almost too much freedom. We were either in college or in Goa. These days, the administration has too much accountability so we cannot give you as much freedom as we want.
Q) If you could choose any college, what would your dream college be?
A) It would be AFMC itself. I appeared in the exams there and went there. It is the 2nd best college and definitely deserves the rating. The students enjoy themselves and study as well. The alumni there is very strong. The alumni meet is held every year on the 4th of August. We all have a sense of belonging. It’s the spirit of AFMC. I do not know about SMIT but SMIMS doesn’t boast of an alumni as strong as it should be. I am currently trying to set up an official alumni for SMIMS. The alumni should be strong and should interact. I think it’s important that students should want to come back to the college after passing out. There should also be more interaction between different batches.
Q) Last but not the least, what is your message to the youth of SMIT?
A) Enjoy your college life. It is the best life and will never come back. Enjoy to the best of your ability. Be a good person, study and develop your personality.
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