3rd of July 2014…. I still remember the day I landed in one of the top class institute IIM Indore. Beautiful campus, high-quality infrastructure, high-class people, bright students all around me. But I felt different… Rather I was different, from all of them.
When I look back in my past, it’s still difficult to imagine myself competing with best brains of India. Born and brought up in the family where there was the struggle to earn and learn, I never lost hope. The passion to learn was outweighing the odds. Although my father was 10th std. pass and mother was 6th std. pass, they wanted to see their child at higher positions like Engineer. Picking up gradually with my secondary and higher secondary education I performed at my best of my capabilities. I remember the days of Vidya Mandir (Primary schooling), I had to walk kilometre daily and seat on the bare floor to get every piece of knowledge I could.
After completing 10th standard I would have opted diploma like students from my school, but I was destined to go somewhere else. I started preparing for IIT JEE with the guidance of one of my senior friend. I joined classes which I could not afford. My father had to borrow money and at times lease traditional gold to support my education. Keeping their sacrifices in mind, I worked hard and left no stone unturned for IIT & AIEEE examinations. My efforts got me into National Institute where I completed my graduation.
Everything was going well, one day while I was preparing for my final interview at NIT placement I came to know that I lost two of my family members in the bus accident. Everything fell apart in no time. Still, I managed to face the reality and came out of bad times. This incident made me strong enough because I had to take care of my family. Responsibilities took over and dream of higher education seemed impossible though I was preparing for CAT exam.
My best friend literary dragged me to CAT examination and I cracked the exam and interview after that. Now I had to choose between job to support my poor financial family conditions or come to IIM. Despite having financial problems, I am thankful for education loan I could get and completed IIM education against all odds.
When I look back and see how I came here, I have learned three important things in my life. First, Dream high but never forget your Roots. There are many students left behind from higher education because of lack of guidance in rural India. I would like to work for them after completing my education.
First- Dream high but never forget your Roots. There are many students left behind from higher education because of lack of guidance in rural India. I would like to work for them after completing my education.
Second-Hardwork always pays off either immediately or in the long run. It will never get wasted. Atleast it will teach you lessons for life.
And third is, Odd, ups & downs will come to test you. They make us aware of strength within us. So keep fighting, and ultimately “you will be the Winner” …
This is very exciting journey till date…and still, a long way to go…Many things to achieve…