MY JOURNEY

I am from a poor Gujarati family. I was good at studies but my father didn't have much money for my further studies. After I scored well in Xth standard, my teacher called me and asked me which stream you want to opt for? I didn't have any idea whether my father will spend money on my studies or not. I told my teacher will you please talk to my father?

My teacher was aware of my family background. The same evening he visited my father. Your son has scored quite well. He is a bright student, what have you planned for him. Sir, I am uneducated, I just know, that my son being the eldest one needs to assist me in earning money. This was his honest thought. But yes, Masterji, if you believe he can do anything which can take out our family from the current level, I will work hard to support him.

The next day when I went to the school, he told me about the conversation. I have taken your responsibility, don't ditch me. I promised him, I will work hard and study well. I want to become a doctor, can I do it? "If you are focused, you can do it." After two years, I scored well in XII standard and got a chance for Medical college too. I was very happy, I thought now no need to worry my hard work has paid. I didn't play with my friends and didn't watch television also. Now I can relax.

College was far away from my home, so I opted for a hostel. My family was very happy, hoping soon the eldest son of the family will become a doctor.

My father did not inform anybody about the high fees. Whatever he saved got over within a year. He told me he can either pay the fees or run the family. I started thinking of other solutions. I can do a part-time job and pay my fees.

I started looking for jobs, as per the time spent there earning was very less. I was missing classes also. I collected notes from my classmates but practical classes became difficult. I joined another night job, thinking this will do miracles. The outcome was disastrous, now I was unable to attend any classes, as I slept the whole morning. I became very frustrated and was becoming weak also. My friends observed changes in me.

My father got a call from college about my less attendance. He came to visit me, but I was doing the part-time job when my classmates told him the whole story. He waited for me. When he saw my condition, he came into tears. He asked me to concentrate on my studies, otherwise, everything will be a waste.

He spoke to his manager. His manager took him to a bank for an educational loan, but what he can get will not be sufficient. The manager who was a wise man put a request on the notice board mentioning the amount needed by a fellow colleague for his son's education. By god's grace, a sufficient amount was collected.

I was now only studying as I missed many classes due to this job mania. I neither earned enough money nor scored well. At that time I understood earning money is very difficult if you are not skilled. I realized my father's contribution to our family. One of our professors called me, why did you score so poorly? If you score like this, then better leave the seat for another deserving candidate. If you want to become a laborer, this is not the right place.

I understood my mistake. One of my friends suggested, that you can do one thing, you have good writing speed, you start assisting the seniors in doing their assignments and charge for that. You will not earn enough but you will gain some knowledge and at least will be able to cover the food expenses. 

Finally, the four years got completed in this way. There was hardly any time to know about the outer world, books became the only world for me. Now I got a chance in AIIMS for further studies. I am earning a stipend too. Have to travel a long journey to repay the loan and have promised to treat my father's colleagues free of cost, as they are the reason behind my degree.