16/12/2024
अंतः अस्ति: प्रारंभ:
"Why do we fall, sir?” – Alfred Pennyworth, Batman Begins.
I was born in 1998, an average student with a big dream. My real spark lay in badminton, which I picked up in 2007. By 2009, I’d won my first Under-14 District Championship and a bronze at the Andaman and Nicobar Open State Championship. But when my father was transferred to Delhi, I had to leave my passion behind to focus on studies.
In 2014, life gave me another chance when we moved to Bhopal. I chose a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering , so I could chase badminton again. Without professional coaching, I relied on YouTube and local guidance. Within a year, I became the Under-19 District Champion and earned a spot at the Sports Authority of India in Dhar. Between 2014 and 2017, I was undefeated in my district and ranked among the top 10 players in my state. Training at Gopichand Academy in 2016 was a dream come true—it pushed me to my limits and taught me to fight for what I love. In 2017, I returned to engineering but never let go of badminton. As a captain of my college and state teams, I led them to multiple wins, including a gold at the Indo-Nepal International Games. But in 2019, an ACL injury at the Malaysia Open turned my world upside down. I had to leave badminton for a while.
While recovering, my dream of serving in the armed forces grew stronger. I gave my first SSB attempt for the Navy and got recommended but was merit-listed due to limited seats. Over 26 attempts, I received two recommendations and attended 23 conferences. Despite the setbacks, I found purpose in mentoring 27 aspirants, 20 of whom made it to the armed forces.
Life took a new turn when I met Pawan Yadav during my 11th SSB attempt in 2021. Our bond grew strong - so much so that people mistook us for brothers. He convinced me to pursue an MBA and even filled out my form. Together, we chose Finance, and SIMS became the place where I rebuilt myself. At SIMS, I rediscovered badminton, winning competitions and earning lifelong friends like Aamir, Kaustubh, Vishal, and Nikhil. I landed my summer internship with Apollo Global, the first company to visit campus, and my efforts earned me a Pre-Placement Offer. From
