Sharmaji has been an integral part of the All Night Canteen (ANC) for over thirty years now. His efficiency is evident, a skill honed over the years of serving the ever-growing BITSian community. He greeted the English Press Club with a warm smile as we sat down in his van parked outside ANC to talk about his experience over a cup of hot chai.

Sharmaji has been providing services at ANC since its inception in 1992. He, along with his two elder brothers, also runs the restaurant Sharma’s in Connaught, which was opened way back in 1964. These days he juggles his life between Sharma’s, serving there earlier in the day and later during the night at ANC. When asked about his family, he said that he has two children. His son is currently pursuing a B.Tech degree, while his younger daughter is in seventh grade. Sharmaji revealed that he had started a job at IndusInd Bank in 2002 and has worked throughout Rajasthan in places like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. He wanted to stay connected with students, and hence left his job after eight years and returned to campus.

He said that being around students all day makes him feel as if he is one himself. He jokingly said that he had not turned old deliberately, but it had happened against his will. Sharmaji also stays connected with the ever-changing student community via his Instagram page, aptly named “Sharma Ji ANC Wale,” which captures his vibrant life at BITS. Over his years here, Sharmaji has not only been a witness to the ebb and flow of campus life but has also built enduring connections with the graduates who once called BITS Pilani their academic home. Sharmaji is still in touch with the alumni via social media and phone. He fondly recounted how his friends from the Class of ‘96 had celebrated his birthday at ANC when they had visited the campus.

When asked about his experience during the COVID-19 lockdown, Sharmaji said that the campus looked completely different. The absence of the familiar hum of student activity had created an unsettling atmosphere, turning the once lively campus into what he could only describe as a ‘haunted house’. Sharmaji thanked the SU for helping and keeping in touch with the people working on the campus, whether it was the rediwalas, rickshawalas or dhobis. Sharmaji prayed that a time like that should never come again.

Talking about digitalisation, Sharmaji said that he has observed a paradoxical trend of physical disconnection among the students. Sharmaji feels that the essence of face-to-face conversations, the spontaneous laughter, and the shared camaraderie that once defined campus life seems to be evolving into a more screen-centric experience. He recounted how earlier in the day ANC used to be so full that he would not even get a place to stand and work. When there was an important cricket match, seats used to be set up in Connaught and a huge crowd of students would watch the match together on television. However, now students are so engrossed in their devices that they hardly choose to come out of their rooms. Sharmaji believes that a sense of community and the spontaneous interactions that occur outside the confines of individual hostel rooms contribute significantly to the overall holistic college experience. Sharmaji also felt that these days students are much more stressed about their life in general.

Sharmaji talked about how “lite” as a phrase has become more prevalent in the past few years. He attributed the influence of social media to be a reason for this.

Concluding the interview, when asked to give a message to the students, Sharmaji said that all students should enjoy their life on campus and create lasting memories but never forget the sacrifice their parents have made to send them here in the first place. He advised all students to avoid anything that may make their parents feel shameful and to stay away from substance abuse. In his closing words, Sharmaji remarked that the success of every student brings him immense joy and he prayed that all the students studying here end up doing well in life.