Growing up in a middle-class business family, one of the most awaited and exciting occasions for me was to wait for Diwali when I could buy new clothes. The first thing that comes to mind every time I look at the Pantaloons logo is the first time my parents took me there for shopping. I was in 9th standard with nothing to show for this shopping trip which my parents had planned for me by saving their earnings. My father was trying his best to build our own home while we shuffled from one rented house to another; a dream yet to be fulfilled. And here I was, happy in my own little world, with the clothes my parents had bought for me. The joy was short lived as the business took a toll on my father. Fortunately, I achieved the first rank in the district in 12th and achieved numerous scholarships for under graduation.
Three years later, I was at the same junction, looking to buy a blazer for my placement interviews but the situation this time was different. We didn’t have enough money to go for an expensive one but I had a dream that one day, I will earn enough to buy one, for the same purpose.
Three years later, here I am, having secured admission in MBA, looking to buy a blazer for my new endeavor. But this time, the situation is different. We finally have enough money. And the First thing that comes to my mind is, VanHeusen.
If all goes well, Here I will be, three years later, looking to buy a house. And the first thing that will come to my mind will be, UltraTech cement.
Looking back at life, I can say it was full of challenges, be it staying in 15 rented houses in 20 years; seeing my father falling in depression and getting out of it; Falling ill just before my first placement interview; loosing my priced laptop from hostel. They all asked different questions from me and fortunately, I have been able to come up with the right answers so far.
My father fell in depression when I was in 10th standard. I achieved 93% in both 10th and 12th and first rank in district. I also achieved number of scholarships which eased the burden on my father.
I was diagnosed with dengue days before my placement interview. I rescheduled it and eventually secured final selection, being first of the four students to secure placement in a class of 150 students.
My laptop was stolen in July,2017; while I was staying in company accommodation. I filed the FIR and continued searching. After 3 months, I found the thief and recovered half the amount. I could not achieve a good percentile in CAT 2017 because of it and also felt a bit depressed after that as the laptop was the only expensive thing I had bought so far. But come 2019 and here I am, having secured admission in a coveted management school with no education loan to worry about.
Ever Tried, Ever Failed; No Matter. Try Again, Fail Again; Fail Better.
-Stanislas Wawrinka
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