When an interviewer asked me to tell me something about myself, my answer was genuine. I graduated from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, in 2014. After that, I started working with Biocon, Bangalore, and after two years of work experience, I left the job owing to marriage. Then, I became a mother, and never wanting to settle down as a housewife, I decided to do a small job. It didn’t provide me with the opportunity I was looking for, so I decided to prepare for CAT.
Here I am, sharing my story and why COVID19 has its positive sides for me. I had started feeling restless, under-confident, pitiful, and dependent. I realized that I am not the one I used to be, a personality that people were so impressed with. People used to describe me with words like confident, independent, decisive, go-getter, determined, sincere, hard-working, and influential. But now what was I doing with myself as sitting idle at home without financial independence? The introspection pinched me and I decided to pursue my impending goal - cracking CAT.
With a six months baby in my lap, I started studying for CAT. I joined morning coaching so that I can come back before my baby is awake. I took care of my baby throughout the day and could hardly find time to study. My husband’s support, dedication, and faith in my abilities kept me going every day.
On 2nd March 2020, I received a message I had been dreaming of - “You have been shortlisted for IIM, Nagpur PGP-2020-22 admission process.” As I read through the mail, tears rolled down my cheeks; I was shivering with joy.
Even in this unprecedented year, IIM Nagpur and its team worked efficiently and effectively to delve into the groove of the new normal. I started taking pride in their kind of functioning; my urge to get in here was increasing exponentially. When the world was under lockdown, IIM Nagpur’s admission team worked relentlessly to ensure a smooth and unbiased admission process. After the interview, I analyzed my interview and the probable score that would mark an entry gate for me.
On 22nd July 2020, I received an email that read - “You have been offered admission to IIM Nagpur.” I couldn’t believe that it happened. I pinched myself; I read that mail twice and thrice and again. I was jumping and dancing. There I was Kritika Agarwal, a student of IIM Nagpur, a mother, a wife, a family person but more than that, a true reflection of herself, who fulfilled the lost dreams of her parents, who lived up to the expectations of her life partner and who was the pride of her new family.
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About the author - Kritika is a PGP 2020-22 student with 37 months of work experience in international marketing of the pharma sector. She is a mother to a 22- months baby. Operations, supply chain management, and product management are her fields of interest.