A Letter to the Would-be BEings
My Dear Juniors / Would-be Juniors,
As I write this on July 1, 2026, I am a 3rd-year student in the Civil Engineering department at IIEST Shibpur. I look out at our campus, and I don’t just see the present; I see a bridge connecting 1856 to the future. I am writing this as a senior who feels the weight and the pride of our 170 year old legacy.
You are joining an institution that has survived more than most will ever endure. Our journey began in the humble halls of the Writers’ Building in then Calcutta back in 1856 as the Civil Engineering College, Calcutta. In 1880, we moved to our current home in Shibpur, carrying the torch of technical education forward. By 1921, we became the iconic “Bengal Engineering College”, later evolving into Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU) in 2004, and finally, in 2014, becoming an Institute of National Importance (under NITSER Act), IIEST Shibpur.
We have weathered shifts in governance, changes in names, and the inevitable passage of time. Through every “hazard” and transition, we stood tall. When you walk through our gates, you are stepping into a story that is nearly two centuries old. In 2031, we will celebrate our 175th anniversary. That is not just a number; it is a testament to resilience.
Our alumni have literally built the skeleton of modern India. Beyond the legendary Sir R.N. Mookerjee, whose vision shaped iconic structures like the Victoria Memorial and the Howrah Bridge and the world-renowned Fazlur Rahman Khan, the “Einstein of structural engineering” who redefined skyscrapers, our halls have produced countless other pioneers. From those who steered our early public works to those who lead global research today, our graduates have been the silent architects of our nation’s progress.
But let’s be honest — the prestige of an institution is a living thing. When NIRF rankings began in 2016, we held a strong position until 2019. Since then, we have slipped from the top 20 to the 50s. This decline has affected our perception and, at times, our placement landscape. We are often pushed to the back rows, forced to prove that we are still the same powerhouse that once defined engineering excellence.
To any observer, it might look like our glory has dimmed. But to those of us who call this place home, we know this is a temporary phase. And this too shall pass!
I know some colleges that were once far behind us have now surged ahead in the race for rankings. While we can argue about the efficiency of these metrics, we cannot ignore them. But I want to offer you a different perspective:
>History does not remember those who merely witnessed greatness, it remembers those who helped to create it.
Anyone can choose an institution when it is fashionable, celebrated, and at the height of its reputation. But it takes vision to recognize the value of a 170-year-old legacy when its next chapter is waiting to be written. The true test of belief is not standing beside greatness in its golden age, but contributing to its resurgence when the path ahead is uncertain.
I strongly believe we can bring back our lost glory. The lifeblood of any institution is its students and its alumni.
I think of it this way: if there is potential within me, if there is potential within you, then our college has potential too. I firmly beleive that we have the capability and we have the opportunity to bounce back. In fact, I am already seeing the early signs of a royal comeback in the very near future.
But it will not happen on its own. We have to try — with all our might. We need to shift our focus toward research, that's the domain we lack. And I don’t mean doing research just for the sake of publishing a paper. We need to focus on research that has a genuine real-world impact — work that influences the future and integrates seamlessly with tomorrow’s technology.
Every great institution has faced moments of challenge; what defines its future is the generation that refuses to let its legacy fade. At IIEST Shibpur, you are not just joining one of India’s oldest engineering institutions — you are becoming part of a story that began in 1856 and whose most remarkable chapters may still lie ahead.
We need to work shoulder-to-shoulder, not just to pass exams, but to restore the reputation of a giant that is currently taking a rest. The question is not whether this legacy is great; the question is whether you have the courage and conviction to help shape its next golden age. We are building the future, one brick at a time, toward our 175th year and beyond.
Welcome home. Let’s make IIESTS great again!
With hope and determination,
A Senior Who Believes in Us!
>Wakt kabhi wapas nhi aata, usko wapas lana padhta hai!
This video gives me immense kick whenever I watch this.
I’m not sure how you all will react to my above written note, but as a senior, it is my responsibility to urge you to look beyond instant glory and current rankings. When choosing between a 170-year-old institution like IIEST and newer NITs that may currently have higher placements, I want you to think in the long term. Warren Buffett wouldn't be who he is today if he hadn't prioritized long-term value over short-term gains. Remember you are stepping into a legacy. With an alumni base spanning over 170 years, there is hardly a prominent company in India and beyound where our seniors aren't holding leadership positions. Think about your future, the strength of your network and the enduring value of this institution.