Born Fighter

I was born on September 5th, 1982 to a lower middle Class family in Meerut. Since birth, I have been criticised for one thing or the other but every time I fought criticism and stood out as a winner. In my family (father's side), everyone was too fair; my Dad, my buhas, uncles, etc., except my mother who was dusky in her complexion.

But I was born too black that my uncles and aunts did not like to pick the small baby in their lap initially. This was my first criticism. But my mother was not ready for this criticism and she used besan flour and other stuffs, to make me into a fair child.

In couple of months, after I was born, I became too fair. I am now 36 years and I look damn handsome and fair. As I grew, I was a bright student who had much interest in studies, and also liked outdoor games like cricket, basketball, etc. I have a younger brother who is one and half years younger to me but is very handsome since birth. Our father loved both of us equally.

My brother Deepak did not like to study much and was very naughty also. My teachers used to praise me but they kept on asking my brother, to be like me. But I have always loved him and was very protective towards him. When I was in high school, my brother had to leave his studies in between, as our financial condition was not good and father could afford only one child, to continue with their study while asking other to help him in his spare parts business.

Since my brother did not like studies much, he had to discontinue his studies in between. I was a bright student but due to some disorder, I could not focus on my studies properly and as a result, got only 52 percent in high school.I got criticised by my relatives, neighbours, friends, teachers, school friends, etc. I got hurt a lot. Initially I cried a lot but I resolved to turn my fate into my favour in Inter School. Although I was suffering from a disorder (cannot disclose), but this has not stopped me to study hard and at last, my effort paid well and I secured 75.2 percent with distinction in three subjects out of five and was also awarded at CCS University for securing distinction percentage overall.

This was the year 2000 and securing 75 pct was a big task and this was the second time I turned the criticism in my favour. But Since I was not sure about my disorder, It was not treated and I continued my graduation and also started preparing for CA. After my graduation, I was working under CA as an article and took 2 years of Articleship, wherein I did lot of audits, couple of bank audits and filling of income tax returns for clients of CA.

After some time, my condition grew bad and I had to leave CA in between. Whole lot of world, my friends, Relatives, etc criticised me a lot and also used to say that CA was not my cup of tea. I had to bear that criticism and I was completely broken now. I decided to get my disorder treated, so I took the help of a doctor. My treatment went on for several years. Meanwhile, I was frustrated from studies. I came to Gurgaon and started working in several call centres,one after another. I wanted to become highly qualified like CA but was now working in call centre and waiting for my time, to revert back all the criticism I got, for not able to become CA (highly qualified).

For me, studies was my life and still is, but this was the time, when I took myself far away from studies. Almost 2 years passed by working in different call centres. I was pissed off at the call centre job.I got an opportunity to work in MNC bank back office, wherein I was a part of International Trade Team. This was the time I decided to get back to studies and to make my career in banking in international trade. I passed my CDCS exam (conducted By ICC and IFSA). This is the very reputed certification of trade and I nailed it. Then I did my JAIIB (Diploma in Banking). I also started pursuing MBA from distance learning and I chose ICFAI University, being the toughest distance MBA learning programme. Finally I was highly qualified with MBA Finance, JAIIB AND CDCS certified. After leaving my CA in 2004, I restarted my studies in 2009, with first completing CDCS in 2009, JAIIB in 2010, also starting my MBA in 2011 and completing in 2013. It took 9 years to be highly qualified but these 9 years there was a fire burning inside my heart and my thirst for studies kept me going.

I shut down the mouth of all criticisers, who declared me as a failure because there were lot of friends and relatives, who become happy if you fail, especially if you are a bright child. When I was going through this tough phase, I had to bear one more criticism. I started eating a lot and became almost 100 kilograms because I was depressed of my failures but again people tried to put me down. But I joined a gym, met my coach through one of my cousins, whom I used to visit once in a month for getting the diet and exercise chart prepared . My coach was in a different city and not the coach of the gym I used to go to, but his guidance helped me in achieving a lean and toned body.

I focused all my energy into studies and gym, which helped me in my studies and also in achieving a toned body. Now I started looking damn handsome. I got married in 2010 and I was lucky this time to get such a beautiful and supportive wife. Now with my hard work, luck has also started to turn in my favour. I was in a banking but not at a high position but then relatives and friends have the tendencies to measure the success in terms of your earning. By sheer hard work and little bit of Luck, I reached at a good position in banking and definitely my earnings increased to the extent that, I stand respectfully and tall amongst the people, who once used to criticise.

Now I am happily married with a beautiful and understanding wife. We are gifted with a beautiful daughter, who is God's blessings for us. I have purchased my own home in Faridabad. My parents are also proud of me. My brother, who had to leave his study for me, is now a successful businessman and he has also got his home constructed at the first floor, of our Meerut Residence. He is married too and blessed with a son. I am also at good level in one of the finest banks in India. But still, I like reading books, novels and have lately started writing short stories. I still do my exercises, being a fitness freak. I am hungry now to live the fittest life and to enjoy every moment with my family and also to excel in my professional life.

I wonder whether we should give attention to someone's criticism, whether we should give importance to someone who was trying to put you down. I am not sure but one thing I am sure about if any criticism helps you in becoming a better person, if it brings out something positive in you, if it helps you in becoming a fighter for life, I believe criticism is good and you should take it positively. Not to reply to those who criticised you but to become successful and saying thanks to the people who tried to put you down, because they help you in knowing your strengths and to some extent, of the success you got because their hard words did not let the fire low down within you.

Thanks guys, this is my story. Ashish Ahuja