An Inter-view Indeed!

An Inter-view Indeed!

This post of mine involves two characters one of which is a journalist (Kamalika Deshpande) from a really popular news channel taking an interview of another character who is a student (Preeti Veerani) who has topped a popular entrance exam (CAT).The interview turns into an eye-opening conversation for the journalist and the readers.

All characters in this post are fictitious,any resemblance is purely co-incidental.

Kamilika Deshpande (KD): Results of the CAT were announced yesterday.More than 5 lakh applicants had applied for it and as of today,many of them might have a bleak idea of where they might end up.The person with me today has not only appeared for the CAT but is one of the toppers.Thank you for taking your time out for this interview,Preeti!

Preeti Veerani (PV):You are welcome,Kamalika.

KD: What was your reaction when you realised that you had achieved what many have dreamt, while preparing for the CAT?

PV: I was glad that the initial hurdle was conquered and was looking forward to the interview calls from the instituions I had applied for.

KD: Glad?Anyone in your place would have been jubilant on seeing the results!Its such a proud achievement.

PV: The extent of happiness on hearing the news varies from person to person.I was confident of scoring what I eventually did.Topping the exam wasn't my priority.

KD: Why wasn't that your priority??

PV: My competition was with myself and not the other 5 lakh students.Scoring high was the priority,topping it wasn't.

KD: But the results and admissions  related to top MBA b-schools are percentile based.So,competition with others will determine what your percentile would be.How could it not have been your priority?

PV: I knew if I performed well,I won't have to worry about the percentile.So,it never was my priority.

KD: Ok,A little background check on your education gave me the information that you had achieved distinction in your graduation degree too?

PV: Yes,I had got a distinction in my B.Com degree.

KD: This indicates that you have performed consistently in your academics.What would you attribute your success to?

PV: Consistent success can be achieved  only by an unrelenting and an unwavering mind.I had tremendous amount of self control over the years,and it is reaping rewards now.

KD: Can you elaborate on what you controlled yourself from?

PV: Adolescense is a tricky time for everyone.I,myself, had a lot of problems to deal with.I am a child of divorced parents.I had to face their seperation during my 12th board exams.No matter how much I pushed myself into my books,it would still effect me at the end of the day.I controlled my emotions for the better part of that year and somehow,have gotten used to to the fact that my parents are seperated.I have lived with my mother ever since.

KD: That is a depressing incident.Any other such event occurred in that period?

PV: Yes.During my second year of B.Com,I was diagnosed with Varicose veins which meant that I couldn't be as physically active as I wanted to be.My legs would start hurting in the middle of any important occasion and I had no option but to attend to it.

KD: Yet,you defied the odds and succeeded in achieving what you wanted.Amazing.

PV: Thank you.But,emotions weren't the only thing I was controlling myself from.The tumultous time of my parents's divorce gave me a lot of stress.I saw my dad indulging in smoking and drinking nearly everyday while mom did the same whenever dad wasn't home.I assumed smoking and drinking were effective ways of dealing with stress and tension.

      I decided on trying them when they both weren't at home.I ended up smoking for nearly a month which got me addicted to it but at the same time,in no way reduced my misery.It made me insecure and expressionless.I realised this a few days into my Board exams.I somehow stopped myself from smoking but withdrawal effects occured which weren't pretty and they used to come during the worst 4 days of the month imaginable.

KD: GirIs smoking is nothing new,yet it might alarm a few.I can understand.Dealing with multiple monsters at the same time is quite difficult.

PV: It might seem alarming to some,but being one of the three genders of the human race we have equal rights to smoke. Anyway, I did some courses on personality development,stress management and meditations which did help initially but for relieving myself from this condition,I had to practise the techniques regularly.With time,my addiction got curtailed.But the results of the succeeding examinations just got better with time.

KD: Did you ever feel like smoking again considering your physical pain and mental anomaly?

PV: No.I recognised the pseudo pleasure that those addictions gave me.Yet,I had to be strong whenever my colleagues went to bars for having a good time.I had become a non-alcoholic shoulder-to-cry-on for them.They respected me for my decision.Some of them have even quit their addictions after seeing me.

KD: That's extremely thoughtful of you to not focus on your colleagues' shortcomings.

PV: In a way,they did the same for me.(Laughs).I wanted to be a role model for others with similar kind of difficulties and so far,I believe I have done a good job.I currently teach courses involving stress management and skill inculcation.Students said they were inspired by my spirit and my determination.Many are still in 

touch with me.

KD: A role-model,an icon and an inspiration at such a young age is very rare.Your mom must be very proud of you.Do you ever speak to your dad?

PV: She is proud of me.She brags to whomever she knows well about my exploits.(Grins).I have been meeting my dad every month for the past three years.He is very proud of me and encourages me to inspire as many lives as possible.

KD:Thats touching!Getting back to the CAT,do you have any suggestions for our readers.

PV:Yes.Work really hard on all topics.Get information about any coaching class that has expertise in the topic you are weak in.Fall in love with the subjects.Then and only then,will you truly master the topics.Consult as many CAT experts as possible.The more information you have,the better chance you have of scoring well.

KD: I hope those suggestions help our MBA aspirants.Anyway,are your affected veins fine now?

PV: Yes.Around a month ago,I finally got the courage to undergo Sclerotherapy on the veins.They are coming to normal and will be completely fine in three months. 

KD: That must be a relief for you.On another note,do you get persuaded to get married?

PV:(Smiles sheepishly)Yes.Very often. Infact,yesterday I was reminded of my age by my mom and what it means for me.Marriage is something very distinct for me right now.Making myself better and self-sufficient is what matters right now.

KD: Self-sufficient?Are you against marriage?

PV: No. But,in the currrent scenario,I believe in making oneself independent and face situations rather than being dependent and inviting misery.

KD: Wow,this interview has been fascinating and I would like to end it that way.Anything you want to say to our female readers?

PV:Be yourself.Love yourself.You are not inferior to any person of any gender,caste,race or creed.You can smoke,drink,etc.but abstaining from them would be a much better decision.Make yourself as independent as possible,it gives you unfathomable strength.Believe in yourself and the world will be at your feet.

KD:Those were some wonderful suggestions.Our readers would be very happy.Thank you Preeti.