Month: June 2022

The things that kept me going were my parents’ expectations and faith in me. I wanted to accomplish the same thing as everyone else: make my parents proud. Seeing your parents overjoyed and wiping away tears of joy in addition to happiness is an unforgettable experience that I wished to have. I started preparing for the CAT exam a few days after finishing my graduate examinations in May. I was committed to pursuing MBA and was off to a wonderful start. At first, the thrill of getting admitted into one of India’s best business schools kept me going. After a few mocks, though, reality hit in. Even though I was consistently failing, I never gave up. Rather than being demotivated, I realized that I needed to focus on addressing my weaknesses. A month before the big day, I began giving mocks daily. Finally, on the big day, I sat down in front of my computer, confident in my abilities. I started the VARC section on a high note, but it turned out to be a difficult task. DILR, on the other hand, was the source of my worry. In the first 15 minutes of the part, I couldn’t do a single set. I began the QA part after finishing a set and a half. I knew this was my last opportunity for a high percentile score at the moment. And I breezed through the part. “It’s not over until it’s over,” as the saying goes. On January 7th, the wait was finally over, and there I was, bathed in ecstatic emotions as I received a 94.91 percentile. I didn’t give up hope while knowing that getting into an IIM with this percentile was unlikely.
I had made it to the interviews for IIM Ahmedabad when the results were announced. I believed it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me. After that, I focused solely on interview preparation and self-improvement. I don’t remember all of the questions that were asked during the interview, but I was able to remain cool and confident in my responses. Honestly, I said “I don’t know” in response to certain inquiries. However, this did not detract from my qualifications. And here I am today writing about the incredible journey and announcing that I’m thrilled to study at IIM Ahmedabad for the next two years. In retrospect, I feel the entire CAT preparation process was a pleasant experience with highs and lows. All you have to do is keep moving forward.

The best things in life frequently come by chance. Until the day I volunteered to meet the orphans, my life was going very well at its own pleasant pace. I had no idea at the time that this event would drastically transform my outlook on life and mold me into the person I am today! I’m writing this blog to discuss the events that not only left a lasting impression on me but also helped me grow as a person.

I went to an orphanage in Mumbai a few months ago. It was a bright and beautiful Sunday afternoon. I was doing the same thing that all Mumbaikars do when it comes to the city’s humidity. I was irritated and restless before entering the orphanage because of the hot temperature and surroundings. As soon as I walked into the orphanage, I noticed a few children sitting comfortably by Mother Mary’s statue, which was situated at the entrance. They were ecstatic to see us and were overjoyed. They seemed to be anticipating our arrival. Their genuine smiles and eyes revealed their contentment and joy.

We had purchased a few items for them, such as chocolates, ice cream, and toys. The orphanage has two floors. Sarah sister introduced us to most of the kids. Metal sheets were used to construct the ceiling. There was a large fan in the room, as well as numerous beds. We all congregated and decided to have a little chit-chat and play some games. Everyone was joyful, and I was delighted, but tears welled up in my eyes, not due to sympathy, but from seeing their empathy. They had nothing, but they were content. It wasn’t the gifts that made them happy; it was the moment, the time they spent with us.

We were having a great time together. We had our version of India’s Got Talent, where they performed skits, danced, and sang. While we were having lunch with them, there was a slight counting error, which resulted in a minor deficit in the food we provided. As a result, we decided to skip our meal and have it later on our way home. When they noticed we weren’t eating, a young child named Samar asked, “didi main aapke sath share karlu?” (Do you mind if I share my food with you?)

It was overwhelming, and I couldn’t stop crying. That was a priceless encounter that taught me numerous life lessons. It was time to leave after a fantastic day. I didn’t want to go, to be honest. We told them that we will visit them again soon as we were leaving. They claimed it didn’t matter if you didn’t bring us things; all they wanted was to spend time with them.

On my drive home, I was thinking about what the little angels had taught me. I felt I had everything before entering the orphanage, but now I feel I have nothing. Those youngsters were cheerful, appreciative, and generous. They were content with whatever they had and weren’t whining about it like I was. Those children, despite their difficult situations and little resources, may be happy every day. All of the causes we consider to be difficulties did not detract from their happiness. This spirit is something I treasure and will remember for the rest of my life. It is because of this attitude that they can take a step forward and move forward.

“Nothing is taught; everything is learned. Every encounter may be enlightening if we take the time to notice and appreciate everything it has to offer, just like those children did. So, let us all attempt to smile a little more often, be positive, and learn from all of life’s experiences.

WRITTEN BY ANJU SHARMA