Interactions – a whispered word passing around. Seniors ward off questions from prospective students with enigmatic responses – “You’ll find out when you come to Pilani”, being perhaps the most cryptic.

First-years, now BITSians in full, encounter several seniors within their first few days. If one expects the purpose of conversation to be that of simply making acquaintance, they are mistaken.

Freshmen move around campus from one hangout spot to the other – Temple Lawns, Institute Cafeteria, Rotunda, and Sky Lawns, are packed with seniors. First-years are often asked to introduce themselves in the newly learnt style of the ‘Formal Intro’. Hobbies and interests usually form the focal point of conversations. Beyond this, interactions vary wildly in how they progress. One could have the most unpleasant experience while being forced do things on the whims of a vindictive senior. At the same time, meeting incredibly talented people can be awe-inspiring.

One thing that becomes evident is that conversations tend to occur with specific groups rather than individual seniors. However, it isn’t too hard to find bored seniors simply looking to talk, or to give advice on what candidate to vote for in the Student Union Elections.

Conversations continue at a frenzied pace, as one is rigorously questioned about topics ranging from one’s beliefs and sexual preferences, to ethics and religion. Juniors might find themselves in a particularly foreboding room of a fourth year Bhawan in the wee hours of night. And then, almost as if it were a grave confession, the jig is up. A thorough explanation ensues, covering everything about departments and their duties, and even academics and campus culture. Ultimately, seniors ‘pitch’ their department in an attempt to recruit the junior.

As departments can attest, the aforementioned process of recruitments often devolves into a frustrating game of whack-a-mole in a struggle to find recruits. Scouting hostels, calling juniors and keeping track of them is just the beginning. Secrecy regarding which department the seniors are from is usually maintained, and mind games are played with juniors. Ensuring that recruited juniors aren’t ‘poached’ by other departments is an entirely different headache.

At times, one wonders why this elaborate farce is maintained at all. It would be so much simpler to call for recruitment tests as clubs do. Nonetheless, this time-honoured ‘department culture’ remains more or less intact, and is propagated to every new batch.

One might get the sense that interactions are subtly being equated with recruitments. However, it isn’t quite so. While the recruitment system favours people who are eloquent, interactions do no such thing. They are a way to meet new people every year. Even for those in departments, interactions transcend recruitments. Acquaintances built during this period translate into close friendships within and across batches. Perhaps the greatest strength of the system is the ease with which it makes candid dialogue possible.

It is unsurprising then, that the common advice for freshers is to not stay in their rooms for the initial weeks.