August 2nd, 2025

Anton Pios Day: The Legend of IITKGP RK HALL's Unsung Hero

IITKGP Foundation

In the enchanted land of IIT Kharagpur stands the grand Radhakrishnan Hall of Residence. The hall has housed many legendary Kgpians whose names would take another tale to tell. This story is about an RKite, who has a day named after him: Anton Pios.

In the year 1990, a dark shadow fell upon the hall. The mess workers, in protest, had ceased their duties, leaving the students to face hunger and despair. Many young scholars, weak from lack of food, feared they would not endure the ordeal. 

Anton Pios, with a heart full of compassion, refused to let his fellow hallmates suffer. Gathering the wise and strong hall seniors, he declared, ‘Thou shalt not go hungry.’ 

And so, they rolled up their sleeves, lit the fires, and cooked great feasts. Their unity and defiance against adversity became a tale whispered through the halls of IITKGP, a tale of resilience, of community, and of undying spirit.

To honor this noble deed, the RKites established a tradition. Every year, on April 10, they celebrate Anton Pios Day, a festival of gratitude and camaraderie. On this day, the seniors shower their juniors with special feasts and, most wondrous of all, bundles of five golden Rasgullas, a sweet reminder of the sweetness of unity. 

Through laughter and shared meals, the bond between seniors and juniors grows stronger, weaving a legacy that passes from one generation to the next. The spirit of Anton Pios lives on, a beacon of hope and solidarity in the heart of RK Hall. This day embodies the Anton Pios' the spirit of selflessness, initiative, and community-mindedness that continues to be celebrated and cherished in  Radhakrishnan Hall.

And so, the tale is told, the feast is shared, and the legend endures, for a long, long time etched in the memories of RKites.

Long live the legacy of Anton Pios!

[NB: Sources for this article are available on request]