Talk given at IIIT Una Induction for B.Tech. classof2026

1. “It is our choices, Harry, that show what
we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ponguru/
B.Tech. Orientation
Nov 15, 2022
IIIT Una
Ponnurangam Kumaraguru (“PK”)
#ProfGiri CS IIIT Hyderabad
ACM Distinguished Member
TEDx Speaker
https://www.instagram.com/pk.profgiri/

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

5. 5
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uri:_The_Surgical_Strike

6. How’s the Josh?
6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uri:_The_Surgical_Strike

7. Audience
Program
Cities
Other options
7

8. 8
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_Gump

9. Life is like a box of
chocolates. You never
know what you're gonna
get ~ Forrest Gump
9
Make friends – Participate in clubs, if it is not there, create one https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forrest_Gump

10. 10
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Idiots

11. Kamyab Hone Ke Liye
Nahi Kabil Hone Ke Liye
Padho, Kamyabi …Piche
Ayegi….. ~ 3 idiots
11
“Study to excel, not to be successful, Pursue excellence
and success will come chasing you.”
Stay focused on learning – Ask for help, don’t hesitate –
Everybody needs help
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3_Idiots

12. 12
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annaatthe

13. Kalaam vazhvil
ponnanathu Adhaai
gavanam vaithu
munneridu ~ Annaatthe,
Annaatthe song
13
Time management – Regrets – 1, 2 semester missing out –
CGPA ‘also’ matters – Others? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annaatthe

14. 14
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petta_(film)

15. Aasa Adakkida
Therinja Inga
Ellaam Kaaladiyil
Kedakkum ~ Petta,
Ullaallaa song
15
Control your wants – FOMO
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petta_(film)

16. 16
https://precog.iiit.ac.in/blog/2021/06/09/precog-from-fomo-to-a-learning-mindset/

17. 17
https://precog.iiit.ac.in/blog/2021/06/09/precog-from-fomo-to-a-learning-mindset/

18. 18
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372222/

19. 19
Woh jeena bhi koi
jeena hai jis mein
kick na ho
Connect to Randy Pausch?
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2372222/

20. 20
How to find kick? Not same for any 2 of us

21. 21

22. If you want something
different, you are going to
have to do something
different ~ Jennifer Lopez /
Jack Canfield
22
What are the different things you want? How to do them differently?

23. Know him?
23

24. 24

25. 25

26. 26

27. 27

28. 28

29. 29
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449283/

30. 30
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1449283/
“Rivers know this: There is no
hurry. We shall get there some
day.” ~ Winnie the Pooh
“If the string breaks, then we try
another piece of string.” ~ Owl

32. Transition to campus
You should know what you want
Try out projects, clubs, …
Managing courses, food, clothes,
hobbies, friends, relationships is
hard
32

33. Transition to campus
You should know what you want
Try out projects, clubs, friends …
Managing courses, food, clothes,
hobbies, friends, relationships is
hard
33
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/862228291128906498/

34. 34

35. Explore a bit before deciding
Student #1 CAPTCHA - Privacy - Usable Security - Social Media & Policing
Student #2 Cyberbullying - Pedophile - Credibility in Twitter
35
“Want the perfect chair”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3DlwnW-SmM

36. 36

37. 37
Aim high

38. Make small progress, consistently
38

39. Ask-Me-Anything
45

40. Acknowledgements
All students who gave inputs
All gyaans that I got from my well wishers
Twitter users
49

41. 50
Thanks!
Questions? pk.guru@iiit.ac.in
http://precog.iiit.ac.in/
@ponguru
pk.profgiri
linkedin/in/ponguru