The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Kharagpur has opened a facility to take care of mental and physical well-being of its students, claiming it to be the first-of-its-kind initiative among IITs across the country.
The facility, called Zen Lounge, is essentially a yoga and meditation hall located within the institute’s SNIG Girls Hostel; it was inaugurated recently and, according to the institute, is “dedicated to fostering mindfulness, well-being, and mental wellness for the students,” marking an important milestone in its endeavour to promote holistic education.
“[The facility has opened] with the generous support of Viji Narayanan, a distinguished alumna of IIT Kharagpur who resided in the same girls’ hostel during her undergraduate years from 1986 to 1991. Her vision is to create a space for mindfulness which stems from her own transformative experiences at the institute and her understanding of the importance of mental well-being in academic and personal growth,” the institute said in a statement.
It quoted Ms. Narayanan as saying during the inauguration that IIT Kharagpur complemented academic rigor with personal growth of students and that the Zen Lounge was a reflection of that philosophy. “I hope it will offer all who walk through its doors a peaceful retreat and a chance to nurture both mind and body, balancing the pressures of academic life,” she said.
The institute said that Zen Lounge aimed to integrate the best of both worlds – “Western lifestyle medicine with natural Vedic principles” – for promoting preventive healthcare and supporting mental health holistically. “It creates a transformative culture of holistic wellness to empower people to not just survive but thrive in all aspects of this world,” the institute said.
Its Deputy Director Rintu Banerjee said that Zen Lounge as a space where students could pause, reflect, and find moments of calm in the midst of rigorous academic schedules. “A first-of-its-kind initiative among IITs, the Zen Lounge reflects our commitment to fostering mental health and holistic wellness among students. By encouraging the practice of yoga and meditation, we aim to contribute to a healthier and more balanced student community at IIT Kharagpur,” Prof. Banerjee said.
