From Curiosity to Contribution: The Inspiring Path of Prof. Karun Rawat, IIT Roorkee

In every corner of our world, there are individuals who quietly change lives—not through grand speeches or fame, but through their passion, dedication, and unwavering belief in others. Professor Karun Rawat of IIT Roorkee is one such person.

A leading name in electronics and communication engineering, Prof. Rawat is an Associate Professor at one of India’s most esteemed institutions. His expertise spans RF power amplifiers and transceiver systems. But behind the technical brilliance lies a man deeply rooted in purpose, humility, and heart.

Managing Stress: The Power of Purposeful Work

Ask anyone who’s ever worked under pressure, and they’ll tell you—stress has the power to unravel the best of us. But Prof. Rawat? He chooses a different route.

When life throws stress his way, he doesn’t run from it. He dives headfirst into his research. He believes that staying engaged in meaningful work helps him stay balanced and grounded. It’s not just about distracting oneself—it’s about immersing in something that matters.

In his quiet, thoughtful manner, he lives a principle often spoken of: “The best way to conquer worry is to keep busy.”

What Brings Him Joy?

In a world chasing titles and accolades, Prof. Rawat finds joy in simple, noble pursuits: designing solutions, conducting research, and connecting with students. He enjoys creating, he loves learning, and he cherishes every interaction with those eager to grow.

To him, designing sparks innovation, research satisfies curiosity, and teaching? That’s where the magic of transformation happens.

Misconceptions: Professors Aren’t the Enemy

One of the most touching insights he shared was about a common misconception. Many students, he noted, think professors are there to make life harder—to stress them, pressure them, or catch them off guard.

But that’s not the truth.

In his words, professors genuinely want the best for their students. He emphasized that a Ph.D. isn't just about publishing papers or navigating red tape—it’s about transformation. It’s a journey of becoming a deeper, wiser, more resilient human being.

According to him education should be about building character, not just credentials. 

His Childhood Dilemma: So Many Interests, One Direction

As a young boy, Karun Rawat was interested in nearly every subject under the sun. That might seem like a gift, but it also made choosing a path difficult.

In those days, close friends—and sometimes even siblings—shared their ideas, dreams, and thoughts openly.

These candid conversations weren't merely little chats. Often, they influenced an individual's personality, interests, and even their profession.

That's what happened with Karun Rawat. One day, he had a conversation with a tech-savvy friend. That conversation made him think of what he wanted to do in life. It led him to prioritize research and made him select a profession where he could discover, teach and contribute.

That friend helped him see where his curiosity could be channeled best: into engineering, research, and eventually, a life of teaching and innovation.

He listened, he learned, and he acted.

A Message to the Young and Hopeful

Before our conversation ended, Prof. Rawat shared a piece of advice that could change a few lives.

He cautioned against the influence of negative people. “They drag you down,” he said. And then, almost in a whisper, came the kind of wisdom that sticks with you:

Satisfaction matters more than your job title.

He pointed out that sometimes, a domestic worker or a clerk might sleep more peacefully at night than a high-ranking executive—because contentment comes from within, not from the size of your paycheck.