Kharagpur: In a significant step towards enhancing student welfare and mental well-being, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has recently inaugurated the Zen Lounge, a dedicated space for yoga, meditation, and reflection within its girls’ hostel. The initiative is part of the institute’s ongoing efforts to foster holistic education by providing students with an environment conducive to mindfulness and self-care.

Thanks to the generous philanthropy extended by Viji Narayanan, an accomplished alumna of IIT Kharagpur, the institute is now home to the Zen Lounge. Narayanan who was an alumnus from the institute and stayed in the same hostel from 1986 till 1991, has been instrumental in conceiving and taking this initiative to life. She is part of the Women in Leadership program initiated by Partha Ghosh and Asoke Deysarkar under the umbrella of the IIT KGP Alumni Foundation USA. The initiative encourages alumni to contribute meaningfully to their alma mater by mentoring current students and supporting various development initiatives.

The chairman said, while inaugurating it, “At IIT Kharagpur, the academia goes hand-in-hand with growth in a human sense.” And that’s how she believes about the Zen Lounge, she says. “It testifies to this philosophy and, I do hope this place dedicated for its cause will allow all to spend their moments with serenity to foster one’s mind and body and hence learn to live out of pressure due to academics.

The idea behind the creation of the Zen Lounge is a place of solace and a refuge where, under the mentorship of student ambassadors, all sorts of mindfulness activities, ranging from yoga and meditation, would be practiced with calmness, making it just the right ambience for removing themselves from academic bustle, if only momentarily. The institute is going to hold multiple events in the lounge, such as guided meditation, yoga workshops, and wellness discussions. The motive behind these exercises is to work for students’ mental and emotional well-being.

Prof. Rintu Banerjee is the deputy director of IIT Kharagpur. The deputy director has highlighted the importance of mental health at the inauguration. He observed that the stresses on students these days are indeed substantial, and the ability to deal with them has become imperative for their growth and development as a whole. “The Zen Lounge provides an opportunity for students to pause, reflect, and find moments of serenity amidst demanding academic calendars. This initiative speaks to our commitment to placing student well-being at the forefront,” Banerjee said.

The establishment of the Zen Lounge is in line with the institute’s broader objective of creating a supportive and nurturing campus environment. IIT Kharagpur has long been recognized for its rigorous academic curriculum and research-driven focus. However, the institute is increasingly aware of the need to address the mental health challenges faced by students in such competitive academic settings. The new lounge is a proactive step toward that goal, providing students with a much-needed space for relaxation and self-reflection.

Mental health and wellness have become critical issues in educational institutions worldwide, especially in high-stress environments like premier engineering colleges. The pandemic further highlighted the need for mental health resources, as students faced unprecedented challenges in adapting to remote learning and dealing with social isolation. Initiatives like the Zen Lounge are therefore essential in promoting a balanced and healthy approach to education.

She, too, reflects the bond of fraternity between the institute and its alumni. Narayanan reflects on how she has decided to give back to IIT Kharagpur through Women in Leadership by opening up channels of communication with current students. The virtual lounge under the programme enables communicating with present students, sharing experiences, and fostering valuable mentorship among alumni.

The new initiative is supposed to set the stage for all such institutions on the campus in implementing wellness spaces within their establishments. IIT Kharagpur continues its mission of pioneering an all-around holistic educational experience through the careful observance of its students’ mental health.

In a very short span of time, the lounge’s inauguration has created a buzz in the students who are eagerly awaiting participation in activities and workshops in the space. The serene atmosphere and focus of the Zen Lounge on mindfulness ensure that it becomes a much-cherished retreat for students in nurturing their mental and physical well-being. Through such initiatives, IIT Kharagpur reiterates its commitment toward producing not just accomplished engineers and researchers but also well-rounded persons who can successfully face the vagaries of life with resilience and mindfulness.