Indian Institute Of Science Iisc

You can find this branch of the Indian Institute of Science Iisc right on Akkipet Main Road, number 154. This isn't the leafy, quiet campus most people think of when they hear the name. It is right in the heart of one of Bangalore’s busiest commercial districts. The street outside is always packed with trucks, carts, and people moving goods around. It is loud and dusty, and the energy of the market is everywhere. Our building is squeezed between a few wholesale shops, so it can be easy to miss if you aren't looking closely for the number. Inside, it is a bit more quiet, but you can still hear the honking from the road. We have a few rooms filled with equipment and boxes that are waiting to be moved or sorted. The floor is made of old stone and the walls could probably use a fresh coat of paint, but we don't worry about that much. We are here to get the logistics and storage side of things handled. It is a very hands-on place. There is no air conditioning, so we rely on the big old ceiling fans to keep things moving. We drink our tea from the shop next door and talk to the local traders while we work. It’s a very different side of the institute, much more connected to the grit of the city.