I hail from Balurghat, a small, picturesque city identified for its lush greenery and warm-hearted individuals. It’s a peaceable place, however not the sort of place brimming with alternatives. Rising up, my father, a retired medical consultant, and my mom, a homemaker who as soon as dreamed of being an expert dancer, sacrificed a lot to provide me an English-medium schooling. My education at Atreyee English Medium Faculty – later Atreyee D.A.V. Public Faculty – was their reward to me.
After college, my path felt much less like a selection and extra like a collection of compromises. I pursued a BSc in Zoology at Balurghat School below Gour Banga College, not out of ardour however as a result of it was the one actual choice obtainable to me. I even took a 12 months off to arrange for medical entrance exams, however I missed the reduce. At that time, I satisfied myself this was all I deserved in life.
However life had different plans.
GATE: A leap of religion
My first try at GATE in 2022 throughout my MSc within the College of Burdwan was half-hearted at finest. It was not till 2023, whereas working as a Department Supervisor on the Indian Put up Workplace (Khaspur Department Workplace, close to Balurghat in West Bengal) – a secure, revered authorities job – that I gave GATE one other shot. I didn’t assume I had it in me; I used to be juggling full-time work, a demanding examination, and my very own doubts. However towards all odds, I secured an AIR of 361 in GATE. I’m now in my last 12 months of MTech within the division of biotechnology at IIT Hyderabad.
The turning level was a good friend who had cracked GATE and joined IIT Kharagpur in 2022. Till then, I didn’t even realise IITs would settle for somebody like me – a small-town boy with a BSc-MSc background. My good friend planted the seed, and from there, ambition took root.
A brand new starting at IIT Hyderabad
In August 2023, I walked into IIT Hyderabad, my first time residing outdoors West Bengal. To say I used to be overwhelmed can be an understatement. The campus, the tradition, the sheer brilliance of the individuals round me – it felt like entering into a brand new universe. Coming from a modest educational background, I felt like a 10-year-old at Disneyland.
Adjusting was not exhausting as a result of I didn’t see it as one thing to endure; I noticed it as a chance. The meals, the individuals, the workload – all of it felt like a blessing. I made unbelievable buddies who supported me in methods I’ll always remember. Some motivated me, others pushed me to be higher, and some even saved my CGPA with their completely summarised notes earlier than exams.
Diving into IIT Tradition
I didn’t simply dip my toes into IIT’s vibrant membership tradition; I dove headfirst. I began with Sunshine, the psychological well being and counseling membership, and rapidly expanded to ECell, FCC, EML, MILAN, TEDxIITH, the Placement Cell, and even Kludge, the place I grew to become the General Coordinator for CyberCon.
Balancing all this with teachers was, let’s say, “intense.” I sacrificed sleep, well being, and social life outdoors the campus. My days began at 8 am within the lab and ended round 3 am after membership work, placement prep and self-projects. Espresso grew to become my lifeline, and weekends have been simply one other likelihood to hustle. It was exhausting, however it was price it.
Discovering myself within the chaos
IIT reworked me. It stripped away my inferiority advanced and rebuilt me into somebody I barely acknowledge. I walked in as a small-town boy with loads of doubts and walked out as somebody who’s not afraid to dream massive and work tougher.
But it surely was not at all times easy crusing. I usually felt misplaced amongst friends with Tier-1 undergraduate levels, worldwide publicity, and stellar resumes. Impostor syndrome hit exhausting. But, I realized to embrace the discomfort, let it gasoline me, and discover my very own footing.
As I close to the tip of this journey, I’m stepping right into a profession in healthcare consulting. I secured an affiliate marketing consultant function at a healthcare consulting agency within the first section of placement at IIT Hyderabad. It’s a path I’d not have imagined for myself a couple of years in the past, however that’s the fantastic thing about life – it surprises you.
Wanting again, my journey is considered one of defying expectations, breaking free from the “play it secure” mindset, and embracing the unknown. From a small-town boy who thought he had no future to an IIT graduate able to tackle the world, I’ve come a great distance.
And to anybody who feels just like the “marked zebra,” standing out in a world that insists on mixing in – embrace it. Generally, being completely different is step one towards being extraordinary.
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