Shimla lad pens book on NIT life

Bhanu P Lohumi

Third Button, a fiction revolving around the “good and bad” experiences of an engineering student during his study at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela (Odissa), has created commotion in social media, which is abuzz with flattering comments about the book from readers, especially the youth. 

The book authored by Shimla boy Rohit Dharupta, who is an Electronics and Communications Engineer presently based at Montreal (Canada), is the narration of his journey from “boy to man” and a vivid account of his academic pursuit in the college from day one.

The good experience includes the happy moments spent with fellow students in the college and the bitter ones, of that of the so-called ‘ragging’ are depicted in lucid manner that makes readers nostalgic about their college life. 

The book, published by Amazon, is selling like hotcakes and its Indian edition, available in bookshops, is being discussed in Shimla and its suburbs, particularly in engineering and other professional colleges. The print version of the book published by Pothi.com is available in book stores in India and the first consignment has already been sold in hometown, Shimla.

The book has correlation with student community, as a first year MBBS student Aman Kachroo died due to ragging in Government Medical College, Tanda (Kangra) in March 2009 and four medical students were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

“It will serve as a guide for those pursuing studies in engineering or other professional colleges, as it narrates incidents on how to deal with ragging in hostels. For those who have already completed their studies, it will bring back the memory of college days,” says the author.

In a message to budding youngsters, he said whatever be the situation, one must face it, as the foundation built in the college is a lifelong lesson and that is what matters eventually.

He has narrated several incidents based on his experience, one being rough treatment at the hands of his seniors. Another highlights how a birthday bash turned into a nightmare and the consequences the protagonist had to face in the college along with fellow students. The fun banter with friends and the imaginative love affair makes the story engaging.

The author has good command over the language and has occasionally used similes and metaphors to make the story look realistic.

When contacted over phone in Canada and asked why he titled the book as ‘Third Button’, Rohit said the idea was suggested by his father. 

“It is an epithet for a junior bowing his head in front of a senior during ragging in an engineering college and a constant reminder not to look up while standing before seniors and focus the eyes on the third button. Symbolically, it shows his vulnerability,” he said. 

Rohit says he was inspired to write this book because of his passion for storytelling and the encouragement of writing came from his father, who was the inspiration behind it.