‘He‘s Rajeev Ahuja?' Hunt On For ‘Pookie IIT Prof' After His Dab, Korean Heart, Goggles Go Viral
As students came up to receive their degrees, many of them politely asked Prof. Ahuja to strike their favourite poses for a photo.
A video from IIT Ropar's 14th annual convocation has gone viral on the internet, and for all the right reasons. The video shows the institute's director, Prof Rajeev Ahuja, happily joining students for quirky poses like the dab, Korean heart and even the trending pookie pose. Internet users can't stop praising the professor for his cool and fun attitude.
The convocation ceremony was held recently in Punjab. A total of 720 degrees were awarded this year. But what caught everyone's attention wasn't just the numbers — it was a heartwarming moment between the students and the director. As students came up to receive their degrees, many of them politely asked Prof. Ahuja to strike their favourite poses for a photo.
To everyone's surprise, he agreed to every single one of them. With a cheerful smile, he did the dab, made finger hearts, and even posed like 'pookie." One clip shows him putting on sunglasses, which made the crowd erupt with cheers. That one move with the shades became a highlight of the event.
The video was shared on the social media page IIT Ropar Diaries, where it gathered over 5 lakh views in just one day. The caption read, 'Convocation fit
Degree
The internet showered the professor with love and respect. One comment read, 'When your IIT is 2nd gen but the Director is the OG." Another said, 'The professor should live longer… teach longer… God bless him."
Who Is Rajeev Ahuja
Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, often seen as a serious academic, has now earned the title of 'coolest prof" online. But who is he?
Rajeev Ahuja is a renowned Professor of Computational Materials Science at Uppsala University, Sweden. He is currently serving as the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, India. From November 2023 to May 2024, he also held the additional charge of Director at IIT Guwahati.
Prof. Ahuja is among the most highly cited researchers in his field and is ranked among the top five materials scientists in both Sweden and India. He completed his Ph.D. in 1992 from IIT Roorkee, India. In the same year, he joined Uppsala University as a post-doctoral fellow. He was appointed as a Professor at Uppsala University in 2007.
view comments
First Published:
July 18, 2025, 09:32 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
24 minutes ago
- News18
Panchayat Actor Faisal Malik Defends Anurag Kashyap's Rants: ‘Imaandaar Aadmi Satak Jata Hai'
Faisal, who began his acting journey with Kashyap's cult film Gangs of Wasseypur, described the filmmaker as someone who's worn multiple hats. Panchayat actor Faisal Malik has come out in strong support of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, offering an empathetic view on the director's often fiery social media posts. In a chat with Siddharth Kannan, Faisal explained that Kashyap's outbursts should be seen not as impulsive tantrums but as passionate reactions of a man deeply invested in the craft of filmmaking. Faisal, who began his acting journey with Kashyap's cult film Gangs of Wasseypur, described the filmmaker as someone who's worn multiple hats including director, writer, producer, showrunner, and poured his heart into every role. 'If you look at Anurag Kashyap's work, you will understand why these outbursts happen. He is extremely loyal. Aur imaandaar aadmi tedha hota hai thoda sa. Satak jata hai," he said, suggesting that Kashyap's honesty and integrity often manifest as emotional reactions. The actor emphasised that Kashyap's commitment to his artistic vision has made him a trailblazer, not just in the kind of stories he tells, but also in the talent he has nurtured. 'He has given several amazing directors to the industry. They are all doing so well today. This proves he is extremely dedicated to cinema," Faisal noted, underscoring that Anurag's influence goes beyond his own filmography. Faisal further added, 'So, whenever someone wrongs him or wants him to compromise with his craft, woh satak jaate hai. When it comes to cinema, he is a great man." Known for his powerful performance as Prahlad in Panchayat, Faisal's own trajectory reflects a deep appreciation for rooted, honest storytelling—values he clearly associates with Kashyap. The web series, which gained popularity during the pandemic, resonated with audiences through its simplicity and emotional depth. Featuring an ensemble cast of Neena Gupta, Raghubir Yadav, Jitendra Kumar, and Chandan Roy, Panchayat has become a household favourite and a benchmark for small-town narratives told with heart. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Dhanashree Drops 1st Post After Yuzendra Chahal's Divorce Comments; Hrithik Regrets Rejecting 3 Idiots
Last Updated: Chahal's podcast appearance has created a stir. Hrithik Roshan also rejected Dil Chahta Hai. Dhanashree Verma has finally broken her silence indirectly following her ex-husband Yuzvendra Chahal's much-talked-about podcast appearance in which he addressed their divorce for the first time. Taking to Instagram, the choreographer and digital creator shared a serene photo dump from her recent Dubai trip. In a moment of unfiltered candour that lit up the internet, fiery politician Mahua Moitra momentarily set aside her parliamentary swordplay to reveal a softer, fangirl side — her unabashed admiration for actor Pankaj Tripathi. The Trinamool Congress MP, known for her razor-sharp rhetoric and fierce presence in the Lok Sabha, opened up about her unexpected Bollywood crush in a conversation with India Today. Shruti Haasan is all set to make her mark in Coolie, the much-anticipated action thriller headlined by superstar Rajinikanth and helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. While the film promises high-octane drama and a powerhouse ensemble, Shruti recently opened up about her role in the film and what it was like sharing the screen with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. What a game! What a win! This is what every Indian is saying as our cricket team secured a dramatic victory in the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, winning by just six runs. As India secured the victory, Bollywood celebs also took to their social media to celebrate the win. From Arjun Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, to Suniel Shetty, who watched the match at the stadium, many shared sweet messages online. Hrithik Roshan is among the biggest superstars in Bollywood. He has cemented his position with powerful performances in films like Koi Mil Gaya, Jodhaa Akbar, Guzaarish, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Agneepath and Super 30, to name a few. Despite his stellar career, there are two films he regrets rejecting: Dil Chahta Hai and 3 Idiots. Interestingly, both films starred Aamir Khan as one of the protagonists. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
BTS' V Drops ‘Messy Life' Photo Dump With Jungkook, Jimin, RM; ARMY Can't Keep Calm
BTS' V shared a 'messy life' update featuring gym time with RM, pool moments with Jimin, and goofy clips with Jungkook, leaving ARMYs thrilled and nostalgic. BTS' V, also known as Kim Taehyung, sent the ARMY fandom into a frenzy on Monday by dropping what he called a 'messy life" update on Instagram. The post—a chaotic mix of candid photos and behind-the-scenes videos—gave fans an intimate peek into his July diary, featuring moments with fellow BTS members Jungkook, RM, and Jimin. From quirky solo shots to heartwarming group interactions, the post showcased V at his most unfiltered. One snap showed him donning a beanie, another had him struggling with massive wine bottles, while a gym video possibly featuring RM and Jungkook added an adrenaline rush for fans. A separate picture captured Jimin enjoying a serene swim, offering a rare look at the group's downtime. View this post on Instagram A post shared by V (@thv) Adding context to the photo dump, V captioned the post in Korean: 'To bored ARMYs: Updates from my messy life." True to the title, the update felt like a spontaneous collection of raw, unpolished moments—exactly what fans crave from the superstar group currently on hiatus from group activities. One highlight was V's close interaction with Jungkook. The two recently travelled from Seoul to the United States together, sparking fan excitement when they were spotted at Incheon Airport. The post included snippets from that trip, solidifying Jungkook's presence as a key part of V's July adventures. V is currently in the U.S. along with RM, Jimin, Jungkook, Suga, and J-Hope, reportedly working on BTS' full-group comeback, set for spring 2026. Jin, the group's eldest member, is expected to join them soon after wrapping up his Run Seokjin World Tour. While the exact reason for their U.S. visit remains under wraps, speculation points to a secret fashion event, given the group's longstanding ties with global luxury brands. V's latest update has fans buzzing not only for its chaotic charm but also for the reminder that BTS' bond remains strong even as they pursue individual projects. First Published: August 04, 2025, 21:43 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
