Needless to say, we never stepped outside the campus gate. Our lives were confined to walking the paths from Meera Bhawan to the Institute, and sometimes to the Connaught via Shiv Ganga. Occasional visits were also paid to the beautiful and serene Saraswati temple during exams.

Cut to February 2023, When I visited the hostel, the gates were wide open, girls were freely moving in and out. I was informed that the curfew was removed and the students were free to move in and out anytime they feel like.

The security guard allowed me to go inside. Seeing those walls, wings, and rooms was extremely nostalgic for me. It seemed like a mini campus with a new boundary wall. A large number of bicycles and two-wheelers were parked. A vending machine for snacks was installed, a huge double mess with veg. and non-veg. food was open, and a night canteen which is open till 2 AM.

Times have changed. BITS Pilani has changed. Meera Bhawan has changed. Seeing the Institute grow, expand and be open to reform is what makes BITS Pilani stand out from the rest of the major Institutes in the country.

Elvis Presley’s famous song says, ‘Home is where the heart is’. A piece of my heart will always be in Meera Bhawan, BITS Pilani for it helped me nurture and develop and believe in myself and my potential.