The Yogic Avabodha – Atal
ALUMNI CORNER, ENGAGEMENT, HUMANS OF KGP, IN-DEPTH, STORIES
I woke up smiling, looking at my story published by my college IIT Kharagpur.
If you haven’t heard me talking about IIT Kharagpur, you probably don’t know much about me yet. It’s the single place - I am forever grateful for and give all credit to my success.
10 years ago, I entered the doors to heaven through this college - IIT Kharagpur. It was located in a village in the East part of India - more than 1500 miles from my house in North India. Since it was far away from my house, I was free there. Free to explore.
On the initial days of my college - I asked myself - what are my dreams? Yes, since that day - I am just been dreaming every day. One dream at a time - living through all of them.
The college campus is a replication of the world. Every hostel can be represented as a country, and hostels have a very strong rivalry. I have realized that this model helps create a better overall ecosystem for growth for students.
Enough about what I have to say - but the below story is what was published. It made me laugh a lot - I mean - what more to be grateful for then getting published by your favorite place on earth.
The word ‘Avabodha’ in Sanskrit is referred to someone who possesses an awakened consciousness of the soul. As the institute's motto says Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam, which means Excellence in Action is Yoga, we have an Alumnus who imbibed the thought as the basics of his existence. The spirit of a warrior, a body of iron, and a heart of gold, yes we are talking about an explorer of life, Mr. Atal Agarwal, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur who graduated in 2017 and became one among the few IITians who represented Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) as an Alum in the prestigious title of Ironman athlete competition.
He finished the legendary race – one of the most challenging endurance athletics activities on earth that included swimming in open water – for 2.4 miles, biking for 112 miles, and running for 26.2 miles in a continuous series, all within a day without any halt. The Vice President of his batch, he taught himself how to swim last year after a near-to-death experience in Lake Tahoe. A philanthropist by nature, he went through a phase of depression and overcame it by taking on challenges in athletics.
An inspiration to all the Kgpians, his journey has been impeccable regarding the actual understanding of what you have to offer life rather than what life offers you. Atal’s mission is to take humanity to the 22nd century with concerns and awareness as healthy beings, and he considers the health of humans to be his utmost priority.
He actively engages in activities about the physical, mental, spiritual, and financial aspects of the health of all humans. He believes that the quality of human life can only be uplifted when all aspects of healthcare are integrated together, something he learned as an Indian, during his 25 years in India. Atal finished the race within 14 hrs and 43 mins during the Ironman Arizona. He is the only Ironman athlete representing Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in such a prestigious title.
He has been influential towards his Alma Mater with generous contributions and as keen practitioner of philanthropy. He recalls that his experiences mainly from his communities like IIT KGP and his surroundings in the BurningMan taught him how to live in adversity and be an artist. His interest in athletics has taught him how to endure pain without suffering. He has also biked more than 3200 miles in America this year, covering a distance equivalent to California to New York. A free-spirited explorer on Mother Earth living his life like a dream is an inspiration to all of us.
Have a beautiful day in paradise; let’s live today; it’s not forever! 😘🥰💕💜
Atal Agarwal
Creator, challenger, and coach!