This monk left science to 'understand meaning of life', his journey from IIT to Kumbh Mela goes viral

NEW DELHI: A viral video of an IITian ‘baba’ at Maha Kumbh event has left the internet in splits. In a conversation with a reporter, the person who can be seen in a saint-like attire and a well-spoken manner says he grabbed an aerospace engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and came in search of the ‘meaning of life’, when asked about his education.

Born in Haryana, Abhay Singh went on to teach physics at a coaching centre after completing his BTech, since he wished to become a photographer which required a degree. Singh studied and cleared the entrance for a Master of Design (MDes) programme and learned various aspects of animation and design.

Several social media users, who shared the video, questioned why an IITian would become a ‘yogi’ while others found him a response to those who claim only illiterate persons become saints.

“Meet IITian Baba at the Maha Kumbh, who did Aerospace Engineering from IIT Bombay but left everything for spirituality. Meanwhile, illiterate Leftists and Seculars mock Sanatanis,” an X user said in a post, reacting to the viral video.

IITian as a 'yogi'

A co-founder of a marketing and consulting firm in a long post mocked people’s shocking reaction to finding an IITian as a ‘Yogi’. “An IIT Bombay grad was spotted at Mahakumbh and the nation went berserk. The entire nation, at least on social media, is ablaze with disbelief. How could an IITian leave everything and become a yogi?,” he noted.

“Here is the thing: the real issue isn't him becoming a yogi but our obsession with the IIT. As long as we don't stop celebrating institutions and start respecting education as a path to wisdom—whether scientific, spiritual, or otherwise—we’ll remain spiritually and scientifically dormant,” the entrepreneur explained.

“Somewhere, we've confused education with conformity and intelligence with career choices. Education isn’t just about mastering aerospace equations or building startups; it’s also about finding purpose, questioning life, and yes, sometimes walking barefoot at Mahakumbh while discovering inner peace,” he believes.

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“Ironically, at an event that celebrates faith, renunciation, and introspection, we’re collectively losing our minds over a guy who’s just living the teachings that most of us share in WhatsApp forwards,” the businessman added.

According to the CMO, instead of asking, “Why would an IITian do this?”, maybe we should be asking if we are raising engineers or individuals capable of pursuing truth in all its forms and do we value education for personal growth or just for paychecks.

He further wondered if the IITian might launch his spiritual-tech startup from an ashram.

IITB alumnus inspires sense of spirituality

“This is for those who pass slurs like "Only illiterates become Babas," etc.,” wrote another user.

Finding inspiration in Singh, a person posted, “Meet IIT Bombay aerospace engineer alumnus Abhay Singh, who would be sending satellites for top space agencies of the world, but found that after all hustle and bustle of life, better to detach from all worldly possession of successful life adopts spirituality.”

An Assam cabinet minister also weighed in on the viral video and commented, ‘A man of science finding the meaning of Life in Sanatan spirituality. Only in the Mahakumbh can one find a former aerospace engineer from IIT Bombay who has renounced all material attachments to live the life of an ascetic sadhu.”