Inspiration

From being toddlers fighting on the bed for a half-eaten chocolate to being world defining corporate leaders one day, we have done it just right. From being pinched for hiding her cellphone to being hugged fondly as we bid farewell, my sister and I have come a long way. As I left the Novotel Hotel today wishing her luck one last time as she steps into the professional life at Vodafone, memories flooded me as I silently prayed for her success.

Two years ago my sister cracked the CAT and got the opportunity to study at the prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Indore. For someone who has been a diligent student all her life, this was yet another milestone everybody back home was so proud of. I was another of those everyday engineering students, unsure of the trajectories of life ahead. It was the biggest turning point of my life when my sister stepped in as my mentor and opened my eyes into a world where ‘career’, ‘life’ and ‘success’ were of essence. This happened two years ago and today that wayward young man has found his direction and added a sense of purpose to his life.

My coming of age from a teenage blunderer to a mature adult has been an inspirational journey for me. I have always been inspired by my sister, her values, her thoughts and opinions on every subject, the respect she enjoys from everybody, and above all, the immense love and belief she has always bestowed upon me. There was a time when all seemed dark and the light just wouldn’t shine on the road ahead. I stunned myself with the brilliance with which I lit that path, with my own perseverance and dedication, and my philosopher and guide beamed in its shine.

The journey has been immensely satisfying and rewarding when I look back at everything I have gained. The inspiration to succeed and persevere has been etched in a plethora of self-help books by renowned ‘management gurus’ and life counselors. None of those words had the slightest effect on me. Hrithik’s character in Lakshya was a revelation, not because the lazy and immature boy goes on to shoulder the enormous responsibilities of the army, but because I was relieved there were many like me out there! At that critical juncture of my life I should have been motivated to follow suit but the spark inside had died long after I left the theatre. The limited exposure to the outside world and trapped in the cocoon of love of family and friends had blinded me.

Fortunately the spark was enraged into a roaring fire and today I stand victorious in the one lap of life which mattered the most. A respectable score in the CAT followed by NITIE happened in a flash and now I can look ahead with a renewed vigor. Yes, the road ahead is intense and has no place for mediocrity, but I’m riding the waves with my mentor firmly holding the reins, and just like Arjuna’s Krishna my sister will ensure my victory in the Mahabharata of life. The inspiration continues and so will we, as we set out to conquer the corporate world.

@Juhu Beach. Oh why are Goodbyes so hard!