LETTER from PRAKASH SINGH (2010, BITs, Aditya Birla Scholar)

Hello All,

Regarding the scholarship, the Aditya Birla Scholarships are awarded to the students from IITs, BITS Pilani(Technology stream) and IIMs(Management stream).

The procedure involves inviting applications from top 20 meritorious students of each institute through their Deans.This involves writing essays on the topics  (within 400 words) :

1. About your background, including how it impacted the choice of your present course of study and your future plans.

2.Why do you think you should be considered as an 'Aditya Birla Scholar'?

Along with, an application form which briefed about our achievements, leadership skills & co-curricular participation had to be submitted.

These essays are evaluated by AB GROUP and a few people are shortlisted on the basis of their essays for the final interview at Mumbai.

Before I got down to write my essay, I had the most fortunate time in the world to go through the essay of Rachit Chandra, the awardee of 2006, CBSE- guwahati topper and a VKV- alumnus as well!! That provided me with the idea on how to present the essay, because it was one thing were presentation mattered a lot.

In my first essay, I mentioned about my unique background of Assam, and how my interest in science led me to chose it as my stream of study. I went on to describe my acquaintance with physics, at home and at school, and how it became instrumental for me in selecting EEE as my engg. course. As of future plan, I didn't mention anything weird, for a fresher in engg. doesn't have one. I plainly mentioned about my interest in robotics and that I wanted to build up on that.

Plus, the essay included a special regard to my family and my VKV in having done everything to help me develop my personality.

In the second essay, I began with quoting Swami Vivekananda's "Education is the manifestation..........." ( Meghna Didi would wonder I still quote so much in essays)
and went on to describe how I develop a passion, interest and belief in something before I take up the thing. I gave special credit to my stint as a school captain that brought out the leader in me. My extra-curricular interests formed a special part of my essay. In addition, I mentioned about my belief " THERE IS ALWAYS A NEXT LEVEL" (the words were intentionally highlighted even in the essay). I ended the essay saying " ........ I am quite confident that I have it in me what it requires to be a leader of tomorrow & the truth is that 'goodwill and hard work do not go unrewarded'. "

Having been selected for the final round of interview, prep. were required to be rock strong. Our seniors who were selected for the scholarships in the last 2-3 years had a chat with us and they briefed us about the entire thing (how & what it was meant to be etc....).

The interview was slated for 18th of Oct. at the ITC GRAND CENTRAL, MUMBAI. Reaching ITC gave me the hint that I was in the midst of something very, very grand. The hotel was sprawling, large, tall and beautiful. The reception there did seem as if it was a five-starrer.... We were led to our allotted rooms( mine was in the 17th floor & I was to share it with a guy from IIM-B). The dinner was preceded by a ceremony meant to introduce the Aditya Birla Group to all of us. The next morning, interviews were meant to start by 8.30 am and end by 6.00 pm. Mine was slated at 3.50 pm(post-lunch). Relaxing in my room I was when the telephone rang. The voice on the other side informed me, my interview had preponed by 30-40 mins.

I quickly dressed up myself, went downstairs and sat there on a comforting sofa, waiting for my turn..... I never had the look of someone about to face an interview. I spoke to everyone present there, settling my final nerves. (I don't know why, but I was pretty relaxed that day!!!!!!!!). I went into the interview hall, through a 10ft. high door, and greeted the interviewees before having my seat. It was meant to have 4 judges, but my first view of the hall complained me there were 5 inside.(Well, one more person was there to know me, I said myself !!! ).

Having asked my name, institute and branch of study, they threw the first question and that was a powerful one: Did u choose BITS-Pilani for having not got a place in IIT ??? Had I tried to fancy the answer, I might have ended mixing up things, but I was plain enough to mention that I was 'lucky' to be at BITS, and that IIT would have been a dream fulfilled, had I cracked it.

They asked me my score in JEE-2010 and as to why did I prioritize boards rather than competitive exam. I answered saying I had the least resources in Tinsukia to get me  prepared for IIT. Their counter question was : Had Tsk been a place with a good coaching institute, would I have had myself prepare for it????? and my answer was an unhesitant and a quick 'YES'.

Then, the tables turned on to w hy I selected EEE as my course of study and what were my future plans, and from there, they went on to quiz me with a few rapid-fires on robotics!!!! Fortunately, being a novice about robotics, I still could answer almost all of them. 'Interest does pay!!!!!'

They began asking on my second essay, with the explanation of the introductory quote and another therein. They debated a few minutes on my explanations, but I left no stone unturned to satisfy them. Then, the questions turned astonishing!!!!!

One of them asked me how my friends would describe me. I answered in a few adjectives which I really meant to use. Then: What will my friends ask me improve upon?????? This was the only moment I thought I was in trouble........... I wasn't finding an answer. I sat quiet, thinking .........

But, if you've had a good past 15 mins. , you are meant to be rescued!!!
One of them intervened to say 'perhaps you don't have any obvious weaknesses'.
I grabbed this opportunity and

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Rachit Chandra (VKV TSK 2002)