Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream is a documentary series shot in IIT Kharagpur. In this 3 part documentary we learn about the struggles of budding IITians, their fear over job placements and the IIT traditions that the students have been following for decades.

The first part of the documentary covers the history of IIT Kharagpur and how it was formed.   Through testimonials of the faculty we get insights on how IIT has changed through the years.
From the nervous first years to eager seniors, IIT Kharagpur students give us candid interviews on their IIT journey and the delusions they have faced while getting accustomed to the IIT culture.

We also discover the extra-curricular societies, student elections and IIT Kharagpur’s unique tradition of Illu, an inter-hostel competition held in celebration of Diwali.

Topics of sexism and male-dominated campuses are given extra attention. We learn how difficult it is in an IIT for a women get elected in student councils and the casual gender discrimination they face everyday.

Alma Matters: Inside the IIT Dream covers varieties of issues in the Indian education system and the lucrative job rat-race which has become prevalent in engineering. Sensitive topics like suicides on campus are expertly handled by throwing light on student perspectives on these events and the solutions they believe the faculty has failed to offer. 

The documentary tells us how the institute becomes an echo-chamber and creates an environment of hopelessness. From testimonials of graduates we learn about the insecurities students develop due to the IIT bifurcation system, which classifies students based on their academic prowess.

This documentary proves that the grass is always greener on the other side. Even India’s brightest minds face the pressure to succeed over and above and they too struggle to strive against the frustration of rejection and failure.

Rating - 5/5