My life? Well, it’s been nothing short of an on-screen drama, or a roller-coaster ride. Since childhood, I just wanted to join the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot. At the age of 17, I aced the formidable NDA exam process. My dreams seemed within reach, and my motto, “sky is the limit,” was becoming a reality.
But then fate! My aspirations were shattered due to a weird medical technicality. I was in deep despair but my family came to my rescue. With their unwavering support, I started a journey of soul-searching and self-discovery.
I set my sights on a new goal – cracking the IIT-JEE exam, one of the toughest out there. With just four months to prepare, it was a tough challenge. But hey, what else I had to lose?
That was my last chance, so I poured in 16-18 hours of study every day, almost losing my touch with reality. Against all odds, I did crack the IIT-JEE exam, the moment of redemption, a rebirth for my dreams.
Later, I received my PhD from USA and came back to serve my country but in a different capacity. Today, I am a professor at the prestigious IIT Bombay, teaching and researching in the field of planetary and space science. Damn! The journey was tough, but the destination? It was all worth it.
It’s funny how life works. From a kid who just wanted to touch the sky, is now reaching for the stars and beyond. At 17, I believed “sky is the limit,” but now my goal line says “limitless.”