In Guwahati, often, on hearing that I live on the IIT campus, which is almost 30 kilometres from my parents' house, most neighbours ask me why I chose to live on my own. (Photo via official website)I regularly oscillate between two neighbourhoods, one where I grew up, my parents’ house, and the other on the campus where I work. These are people I have grown up with, and their main interest is in when I will get married or how my life is at the IIT campus. I often think with amusement how many of these neighbours used to notice boys visiting their homes. The enquiries about marriage are driven by the notion that I am of marriageable age and “settled” in my career.

Source: Indian Express February 11, 2026 06:44 UTC