Light at the end of the tunnel!

Haunting study gap & Campus placement!

The life was good with the rays of hope that the dream days are close to reality.  I completed the third year of engineering and started the journey in the final year. The last year used to be the year of placement and job offers along with the study and examination. My performance was consistently in upward trends, but there was a reflection of ups and downs of life in the results. The overall average percentage was not very high, but it was reasonability good to get the opportunity for placement in the college. Still, the study gap was haunting at time. The corporate world salutes those who have consistent track records of progress without a study gap. Even most of the organization did not allow me to appear in the recruitment exam. Ins spite these challenges ahead, I was confident on my ability, performance, and capability. The performance trend after joining the college back was in an upward trend. Therefore, I was super optimistic about beating the challenges in the corporate world. Barring study gap everything was fine; I was good at aptitude, general awareness, communication, soft-skills in addition to technical subject knowledge.

It was the month of July 2007. The first organization landed for campus placement. I was qualifying all the preselection criteria, and appeared in the written screening examination, and got selected for a further round of selection process. I was happy to see my name in the list for the further round of selection. It was a matter of great pride and happiness for me as there were many fellows with better performance card were not able to crack the examination. However, I made it balancing all its aspect despite not so excellent performance on the mark sheet. It was a kind of mass recruitment, and a large number of students were to be selected. There was two more round of selection – Technical and HR round.

I appeared in the technical round of the selection process and also got cleared for the HR round. I was waiting for my turn. It was almost closed, and the sun was about to set. It was a set back almost for five to ten minutes when I came to know that due to study gap, I was not considered! Nearly exhausted throughout the day, I went to a park, sat alone and talked to self. I hear a voice from within; you are different. You need not worry, still many opportunities will come. The whole year is yet to unfold then why to worry. But another voice which was a bit disturbing coming from the within. The study gap may make your life miserable! And, the setback received at the end was also pointing toward the same. But after long self-talk, I chose to follow the voice that says, and I need not worry, many more opportunities will come and kept on going without worrying much.

After some time, another organization landed for the placement. As per the eligibility criteria, I was not meeting the minimum requirement to appear in the screening test, and the only factor where I was lagging was the study gap. Rest of the things like minimum score up to six semesters, age, high school, and intermediate minimum percentage criteria etc. all were well within the requirement. It was a little bit frustrating, but I was confident to crack the screening examination. I went to selection panellists who were there to organize the selection process and said to them. I have a study gap, but I am confident that I will crack the screening test. I will not insist for final selection, but I wish to appear in the screening examination and will let you know the why the study gap was not my fault or why the study gap is not the indicator of success or failure as far as my case is concerned.  The HR lady in the panel allowed me to appear in the screening examination seeing my confidence level.

I appeared in the aptitude test, where a total of 95 students appeared. Out of 95, only 15 selected for the interview, and my name was there in the list for interview. It was again a happy moment for me to know that yes if study gap factor can be removed, I can do reasonably good. Although I knew that I would not be selected due to policy reason, still I was prepared for the interview. The interview was awesome and satisfying and ended with the comments by the HR head that if I owned this organization for which  I am here to select the young engineers, I would have chosen you despite the gap, but I am bound by the policy limits. Still, I will put your unique case with management. Please give me a set of documents to me. Although I did not hear again from them, it acted as a morale booster for me. I become more confident that if some organization do not have such a policy, I would be able to crack for the job!

The job offers in hand!

After some time, another organization came for placement where I was eligible on all the parameters as there were no criteria like study gap! It was a ray of hope, especially for me. I appeared in the preselection written aptitude examination and cleared for the technical interview. I also cleared technical round and recommended for the final round of interview by the HR group. When the final result was declared, my name was there in the list. It was a very emotional movement for me. On the one hand, there was the first job as a software engineer with an offer of 2.75 Lakh per annum. On the other hand, there was the story going on in mind in reverse order- Whatever happens on the way in the life journey! After all, no one was wrong. I was fighting for the cause to kill poverty else who will do for the family! All others in the family were burdened with the debt, and a complex cloud of poverty was not letting them see things differently!

It was the happiest moment of my life. I wanted to convey the news to my parents but could not do that due to non-availability of any communication media like phone etc. I informed the good news to my best friend Dinesh and his father over the phone from the PCO in the college. I also informed all my brothers about this good news. I remember after a long two years; I had a call with them. Neither they enquired about me, nor I had enough money to talk over the phone from PCO  as I did not have any phone at that time.

After some time, one more organization headquartered in Japan landed for campus placement. They were setting up the India Office in New Delhi. I also got selected for that organization because they were not having the parameter like the study gap.

With the two offers in hand and that too in the first half of the final year was a great achievement at that time. I was happy and satisfied seeing dream destination turning into reality! After appearing in the 7^th-semester examination, there was a break and I first time went to my home after coming back to college so that I can inform my parents in the native village. I also visited my best friend’s father at his place of posting.

Believe restored in family and village – There exist possible in impossible

Life was good. Everybody was happy, including my parents, who were concerned about my future. My teachers were happy for me! Those who in my native village was of the view that I am living in a utopian world, and it is impossible to get a job without connection and bribery, started believing in me.  The possible is hidden in impossible, and one has to find it with action without giving up come what may! Many of them started dreaming at least for their kids to repeat the story, as I finally ended!

The belief also restored in my elder brothers. All the myths were broken at the end of the day. And finally, they also started aiming for big not for them for their kids to kill poverty through education! The real-life model was in front of them as to how to go about it without giving up.  

All is well that ends well

Although life was full of ups and downs, many times, it appeared even to me that poverty might win. But ultimately, I did not let poverty to kill the fire within me to do something different in life. In the long journey of life since childhood, till the time having first corporate job offers in hand, there were many people who did not believe in my dream and quest to defeat poverty. Very few believed in me. But there was one person who never doubted, and that was a true me hidden within me. Even my family members were divided and wanted to give up. Many people kept away from me! But all that was happening was the byproduct of poverty. The low level of education due to which ability to think and reason constructively was missing in the people around me and in my family. When the basic needs to keep body mind and heart in order was the biggest challenge, to think for something different is not obvious. No one was at fault. What they did, they did with genuine reasons prevailing in the context at that time. Therefore, the corporate job offers in hand were just a beginning- Story of killing poverty ultimately at least from family members was yet to unfold.

Corporate life at Bangalore

The transition from the complex and dramatic life in college to the corporate world was unique as compared to others. I joined the Bangalore, India office of a software organization in July 2007 and started working as a software engineer in the e-commerce domain. I witness the real corporate life and experienced many deviations from dream corporate world. The nature of the job coupled with dignity was a bit different from the dream corporate world but making a living was the priority at that time. I experience the real face of crony capitalism where men are simply a wheel in their vehicle to meet the object- They were treated in a very mechanical way. For example, if they do not get sufficient contracts to execute, they would lay off people through organizing some examination in the name of low-level performance. There was a rule in the organization, where I was working that during the training period if anyone fails in more than two subjects due to whatsoever reason, he/she has to leave. When I witness this and that too happening with some of my colleagues who joined on the same day and are undergoing training in the same batch, I realized that I am not meant for such valueless and hollow organization who do not have respect and dignity for people and only see people in terms of how many dollars they can produce! Also, the backend job of a software engineer and that too for unaccounted long hours added to my dissatisfaction of the job which I was doing. And, all this triggered a quest for some alternative which was already there for better work and organization, but it was with low decibel as during college, I was not aware of the reality of the Information Technology corporate world.  But still, there was something in mind that if there were not a study gap, I would have landed a better job offer with a better package and working condition. Therefore, before landing to Bangalore to join as a software engineer, I had applied for all India entrance examination of public sector undertakings like IndianOil Corporation Ltd and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre for the post of the executive having specialization in Information Technology or Computer Science. And, later on, I also applied for Hindustan Aeronautic Limited so that on getting a suitable opportunity, I can quit the ongoing job. 

While undergoing training as part of my job, I used to visit the computer centre nearby coffee lounge during the tea break day. One day when I opened the email, I was surprised to know that I have been selected in all India Entrance Examination of IndianOil Corporation Ltd for the post of the executive in Information system Cadre. I was happy as it was a much-needed opportunity for me in the prevailing context. The interview was scheduled on Sunday in Rajendra Palace New Delhi. The first salary was already in my hand. But there was a challenge- To attend the interview on Sunday, I hand to reach Delhi at least before one day. Although Saturday was off in the office but still there was an instruction to come office and do the assignments and practice coding etc. So, Saturday and Sunday were in hand, which was sufficient to go and come back after interview via aeroplane. Without thinking much, I decided to spend the money in hand on arranging a plane ticket to appear in the interview. I was confident with my ability and already one job in hand for success in the upcoming interview. I appeared in the interview and came back to work on Monday morning and started life as usual.

I failed in two subjects in the examination organized as part of training effectiveness, and after that, I was on the border- A failure in any one more subject means pink slip in hand as per the policy. It means many things to me NOT the only job- the people in the society who have just regain the confidence to stand against poverty will lose their hope. They will not invest their hard-earned money on education knowing even after investing hard-earned money if there is no job security! This was the only fear in mind, and to avoid it, I had focused more on my quest to switch to some better opportunity before something wrong happen in life!  I appeared in the last examination as part of training and sent file or code for review to examiner over mail. But unfortunately, some file got corrupted in the process of sending over mail. On downing, the entire code did not work, and I failed in the third subject, and I was requested by the HR to write a letter for resignation citing that I want to leave on my wish. However, the reality was something different. No, body listen about my concern, and although I tried to convince the examiner, it was all in vain.

The Diwali season was near in October 2007, and I was standing at the crossroad with the pink slip in the hand of which only I was aware. Went back home so that I need not pay rent and with the money in hand can prepare for the other dream jobs. I had applied for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and the examination was near just after Diwali, so I thought let us go home celebrate Diwali with parent and come back to appear in the examination. I left for the home, celebrated Diwali with parents burying the pain of job losses within without disclosing others! I went back, took a small room on rent to start preparation and haunt for the job opportunity. I had a plan go to the cyber cafe to every day to search for the job opportunity and checking emails etc. On the first day itself, when I opened my email, found an email which was pending to read since 15 to 20 days from the IndianOil Corporation citing congratulation you have been selected for the IndianOil Corporation Ltd as an executive. And, that was the best morning for me despite ongoing ups and downs in life! My parents also informed over the phone that one letter had been delivered to them at home from the IndianOil Corporation Ltd. I went back home within a week after appearing in the entrance examination of Hindustan Aeronautic Limited. When I checked the offer letter, December 10, 2007, was the joining date at Mumbai. I had spent time with parents during the remaining period before became part of my dream organization- The IndianOil Corporation limited.       

Met my better half & life companion

Since I was settled in the eye of society, many marriage proposals were there to decide. There was a tremendous societal pressure to take a call regarding the marriage. But I was undergoing an entirely different phase of life which was difficult for me to share with people in the society while working at Bangalore as a software engineer. I was having my dream regarding the would-be soul mate. There was one marriage proposal in which there was a girl with an educational qualification at par with me. I had opted for Biology and Mathematics both in the Intermediate, and She had also done the same. She was convent educated and was doing a Bachelor of Science in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. I was liking her but was not ready to get married due to the ongoing mess in life. With the permission of her parents, I used to talk to her to know each other, and I was committed to marry her. But, how can I marry without solving the ongoing mess in life? While going home from Bangalore before the Diwali festival, I agree to meet as her family members were requesting since long to meet each other so that we can come to some conclusion. Photo exchanged through courier had already been done. I boarded Karnataka express and went down in Kanpur, met first time with my soulmate. At that day I clearly said it might take time as I had to do everything on my own.  I am undergoing a challenging time and working for a better job. Let us see when we can unite together. From my side, I like to go with you, but you are free to decide. If you want to wait, you can!

Within a month, the good news of my selection came, and after joining we, both decided to get married after making all the necessary arrangements. We formally got engaged in 2008 and got married in 2009. Now, we are happily living together with two little boys! Thank God for showering blessings on us!

Rediscovering self

I joined altogether different kind of corporate world in the month of December 2007, IndianOil Corporation Ltd,  a  great public sector undertaking with vision and values resonating with my own values where the ultimate purpose was to serve people with energy product and services and money was the byproduct in process. Continuous investing in people was the culture experienced during my early days in the organization. There was no fear of pink slip, and people were contributing happily with their best of the best ability. I was posted directly in the corporate information system department directly after the orientation programme and worked as information system officers in SAP HR. Later I was transferred to look after Information system in IndianOil’s apex learning and development institute – IndianOil Institute of Petroleum Management Gurugram wherein I was exposed to a different side of the organization, and that was people side of the organization. Earlier I used to see the organization through the lenses of technology. And, over a period, I developed interest toward people side of the business. I used to take an additional assignment of learning and development and related activities in addition to managing information system and associated activities. While. Working at Gurugram, one of my bosses once took me to an event organized by the Indian Society for Training and Development and introduced to a new world of human resources and learning & development. Later I became a life member of the ISTD and enrolled for a part-time diploma in learning and development. On successful completion, also started taking classes for the diploma student in Gurugram and Delhi Chapter of ISTD. There I found another version of myself with the possibility to shine more if put some more efforts in this direction. I decided to switch the discipline within the IndianOil Corporation Ltd as it is an organization where one can find a company within the company and can get a job as per the passion keeping organizational requirement in mind. I used to share my passion with the people at the workplace, and people were kind enough, and they recommended for learning and development related profile to begin my career as a human resources professional. Also, I had a dream to become someone who can impact the lives of people, and for that to happen, I need to develop myself as a thought leader. To give this dream wing, developing my own ideology and letting the world know for what I stand was the way forward! And, after two years of hard work it came in the form of my first book- Being in the driving seat, What makes ordinary extraordinary, A 7 Steps ESCAPE Velocity Model to Design the Life You Love to Live! Still, a long way to go on my vision and mission! 

I believe that every human being is the most advanced creation of nature. We all have beautiful hearts to feel; we all have a heavenly body as a vehicle to respond in a given situation and do whatever we want to do. And, we all have a fantastic mind to dream big, think big. We all have been gifted with the immense possibilities to evolve as a human being in life.  Each one is just like the seed of a banyan tree, which has the potential to become a big banyan tree giving shelter and oxygen to others in its surrounding.

Therefore, everyone in this world is a ray of hope for self, family, society, nation, and humanity as a whole. But to convert this ray of hope a reality, one needs to have the inner fire to make a difference in the world without giving up. Those who are having an inner fire to do something for self, family, community, society, nation and humanity as a whole are called “Navodayans” (Rising Sun). The purpose of life for a “Navodayans” is to create a better world wherever they are through dedication and perseverance without giving up in odd situations. The better world could be for “self and family,” it could be for the organization which they belong to, it could be for society, it could be for the nation, and it could be for entire humanity as a whole depending upon the context. But the ultimate purpose is to make a positive difference in the world around and serve humanity as a whole.

“Navodayans” is an ideology and way of life; based on the belief that every individual has the potential to evolve into a better human being over some time with dedication, perseverance, and not giving up attitude in an odd situation come what may!! …And, the ultimate goal in life is to make a positive difference in the world around and serve humanity as a whole. ” Navodayans across the globe can be grouped into three broad categories depending upon their current level of existence and life situations as given below:

1. If you and your family are inside the vicious circle of poverty and you are committed to fighting a war against poverty for creating making a difference better world for self and family members, then you are Navodayans for yourself and your family.
2. If you are outside the vicious circle of poverty and you are committed to making a positive difference in endeavour life of other people/institutions by partnering in their mission, then you are Navodayans for those people/institutions which exist.
3. If you are making a difference in the life of other people/institutions through institution building, nurturing and leading in your community, society and nation for the noble cause then you are Navodayans for entire humanity especially to those who are outside your community, society and nation through your commitment and endeavour to expand your reach globally to serve entire humanity.

My life’s ultimate purpose is to become a catalyst in empowering people to succeed them in their endeavour to make a positive difference in the life of Self, Society, Nation and Humanity as a whole through various innovative product and services. Accordingly, I am on a mission to help people to learn, do, earn & coach in their niche. To know more about to what extent I have progressed toward my personal life goal, please read the next chapter.

What is your life’s ultimate purpose, vision, mission and values? You may like to begin the journey with my book, “Being in the driving seat, What makes the ordinary extraordinary, A 7 Steps ESCAPE Velocity model to design the life you love to live! ”