I completed my engineering studies in May of 2017, and was ready to go abroad to pursue a Master’s degree, but unfortunately, my mother was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I chose to take a year off to help her recover. The most difficult of times had befallen our family. My grandfather, who had turned 93 that year, would sit in the corner of his room, sobbing for hours. My father, a builder, who was suffering the aftermath of the 2016 Demonetization, was juggling his hectic work schedule and being there for us. My younger brother had just entered the 12th standard, and the thought of what the sight of my mother in her hospital bed could have done to his academics still makes me grateful that he is much stronger than I ever was at his age.
Demonetization, coupled with the then impending launch of the GST and the RERA Act had put my father's business in deep waters. Everyday was a struggle. Medical bills for a week were higher than electricity bills for a quarter. We had to dip into savings that were kept to pay for my, and my brother's studies. That crushed my father. For the first time in 22 years, I saw him shed a tear because he felt that he had failed us. I hated myself for letting that happen; for not being able to help my father in his time of need, as he had done for me countless times.
I saw my family at their worst, and there were days when it became unbearable, but a voice in my head kept going. It kept telling me that this wasn’t the end, and that things would get better. In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t disregard that voice. I kept going, and I helped my family keep going, till the day when the doctor announced the miraculous news that my mother had made a solid recovery.
One of the biggest achievements of my life was getting myself and my family out of the disastrous year that was 2017. The fact that I managed to crack the MH-CET and secure admission in one of the most sought after institutes in Maharashtra: that was the cherry on the cake. I wouldn’t however call any of these “my” achievements. They were the results of efforts put in by all of my family and close friends. But then the best route to success is through teamwork, isn’t it?