Passions For Life - Priya Pakad, FMS Delhi

While growing up I was always very creatively inclined, and created my own products using waste materials I found around the house. Once I sat stitching bags from old clothes till late in the night while the exams were on. Though my studies were never affected, my parents couldn’t understand my passion and would force me to give it up and focus on studies only. When it was time to choose a direction for graduation, I was made to select engineering and sign up for coaching. I struggled with the coaching for many months but realised that this is not my sphere for interest. I decided to confront my parents and convince them for my wish to pursue design as a field for my career. As parents coming from a certain background, my choice didn’t make sense to them. I continued to struggle with engineering coaching and felt alienated in the process. Eventually I decided to take a stand and put my foot down. My parents eventually accepted my decision to quit engineering coaching and prepare for design but they weren’t happy. This created a sense of guilt and self-doubt and took an emotional toll on me. Once I gave the entrance exams and got through the premiere design institute in the country, that is when my parents realised my potential and decided to support me. I was extremely grateful for them but the journey was tough and tiresome without support. In retrospect, the struggle made me stronger and more confident that I could handle tough situations by myself.