IIT-B’s Magazine Raintree Wins C'wealth University Prize

Mumbai: Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) Raintree-Notes from the Campus, has won the Association of Commonwealth Universities' PR, Marketing and Communications Award, 2010. As per sources, launched in April 2009, the magazine has been a common link for the IIT community, both present and past. From a note on the fauna in the lawns to a story on barbers who cut hair of the likes of ex-Infosys head Nandan Nilekani, ‘Raintree’ goes beyond complex computer programme and mathematical problems that are discussed in the classrooms.

Damayanti Bhattacharya, CEO of IIT-B Alumni Association, has said that while the institute brings out a host of technical and research magazines, Raintree captures the vibrant life on the 550-acre campus. In addition, Bhattacharya had written the first draft of the concept note for Raintree. Jaya Joshi, the institute's PRO who went to collect the award in Australia, said, that Raintree has carved a niche for itself; old boys, too, don't miss to pick up a copy. She also added that the best moment was when the international audience that reviewed Raintree regarded it as a practice that should be adopted by other universities as well. She said that the aim was to create a publication that would reflect the evolving stature of the institute.

Mohit Sharma, a Civil Engineering student, said that Raintree promotes dialogue on campus. He said that it makes one reflect and look beyond the absolute immediate. IIT-B is a contrived society - people come here from all over and spend a short life cycle. This place has its peculiarities and Raintree chronicles that mish-mash. As per sources, eighty one publications from 43 universities across 15 countries competed for the award. Alumni across the world rooted for the magazine. Bakul Desai, an alumni and contributor, has said that they all started writing anecdotes their life on campus for Raintree and realized that they had a lot to tell. He added that it was then that they decided to come out with a book. Desai is referring to the recently released work, Madhouse: True stories of the Inmates of Hostel 4.