How strong is your desire to succeed? Do your parents and teachers whip you to sit down and study or do you do it on your own? What are your areas of expertise? What are your values in life? Do you have a spiritual guru or read any spiritual books? Do you play any sport?” College students in Delhi were recently confronted with these fundamental questions by none other than social activist and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi.
A group of 250 youngsters got the opportunity to interact with this inspiring personality at an event called InternSaturday. A popular website for internships ‘Internshala’ organised this programme to bring students face to face with the young achievers amongst us, career counsellors and experts from diverse fields. These included entrepreneurs, successful professionals in consulting and finance, experts in higher education abroad, people with ‘unconventional careers’ as well as the guest speaker - Indian Ocean band member Rahul N Ram.
Sarvesh Agrawal, himself an IIT graduate and founder-CEO, Internshala informed Metrolife, “Since we started about three years back, a large number of students have enrolled with us for internships. These are mostly Ist and IInd year students who are still trying to understand what they are good at, which career line they should pursue and how. We thought, at this critical juncture of their life, why not provide them some guidance. This is the idea behind InternSaturday.”
“Last year, at the Ist edition of InternSaturday, we had only about 150 students and few panelists. This time, though, we have grown to get more students, 12 panelists from different professional areas as well as guests like Kiran Bedi and Rahul Ram. We are sure the day-long event will be highly beneficial to all in the audience.”
Dr Bedi came armed with enthusiasm and information to address the youngsters. She brought a news clipping to highlight that the number of formally skilled persons in India is only 2 per cent. “All of you should remember that the onus of carrying forward India is on you.
“If a community like yours becomes lazy, physically unfit, unconscientious or corrupt, where will India go? The first step to success is to identify your interest area, acquire the right skills, work hard and always try to pass on your advantages to the disadvantaged. That is the only way forward.”
Without a doubt, students were most impressed with Dr Bedi’s fervour for social work and oratory skills. Gagandeep Singh, a management student, exclaimed, “This is the most motivating speech I have ever heard. She only posed a few questions, but these were soul-searching queries requiring us to look for answers within. They were intelligently crafted and applied to students from all streams. What to say of her oratory skills? She speaks with honesty and conviction.”
Students were also moved by Rahul N Ram’s words. “He has a truly inspiring life. After a Masters in Chemistry from IIT Kanpur and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from Cornell University, he came back to form a music band. He is the best example of following one’s heart wherever it leads. I will try to inculcate all his values in my life, even if it guarantees a fraction of the success he has achieved,” vowed Charu M, a DU
student.