"I’ve lived in a chawl my entire childhood"

 “I’ve lived in a chawl my entire childhood. As a kid, I understood the importance of education–I’d study & top my class. But as years passed, Papa couldn't afford my fees; he was a contract worker & we were scraping by. I remember being in Class 8 when my fees hadn’t been paid for 9 months. That’s when Papa told me, ‘I can’t send you to school.’ 

But instead of giving up, I tutored kids from junior classes to pay my fees. I was 13 & I promised myself, ‘One day I’ll study in a reputed university & work at a big company’–that was my dream. 
The want to be a ‘somebody’ only grew & so, after I graduated from school at 18, I decided to go to a college in Mumbai. Vapi to Mumbai was a 3.5 hours journey, daily, but I didn’t mind; I was hungry to make it. 
I continued to tutor to fund my education. Everyday, I’d wake up at 6 AM, travel to college, tutor, visit a library to study & return home at 11! I knew my efforts would pay off & after I completed a year, my family moved to Mumbai to support me. 
In my 2nd year, I heard about a program being offered by NIIT. When I read more about it I knew by the end of the program, I’d get placed with a good company & so, I gave a screening test for it. And I got chosen! It was the happiest day of my life & I told myself, ‘The sky’s the limit!’ Papa was so proud of me! 
I put all my energy into my studies & not only topped my college, but I also got placed by NIIT at KPMG! When I got my first salary, I took my family for dinner & bought Mummy a ring for Mothers Day! 
After 3 years of hustling in Mumbai, my placement secured my future & I earned steadily.  
Then, I started working on my next goal– getting an MBA degree. And so after a 8 hour work day, I’d study for my exams & return home post midnight! Still, I failed the exam... It hurt, but I put in even more hours & passed on my next attempt! 
My family threw a party for me & Papa told everyone, ‘My girl paved her own path!’ To see him smile is all I’ve wanted!
I am the first girl in my family to have come this far. And when Papa tells my story to girls from my town, I feel proud to see their eyes sparkle with the belief that they can achieve their dreams too!” #AbPlacementPakki

{Credits : Humans of Bombay }

What isn't important.............

 What isn't important: a fantasy that the average person with a degree has fewer skills than the average person without. Of course, there are exceptions, but they are just that: exceptions. Companies complain all the time about college grads not having every single skill under the sun, but who do they turn around and hire for basically every professional, white-collar job?

IIT-B Food

Food is really good here in IIT Bombay. But no matter how good food is, any way you will be saturated after few months.

there is also some variation in food depending up on in which hostel you are. In hostel 18, food is little better than others. I am attaching some pics below.

Quarantine food at IIT BOMBAY

BREAKFAST

Lunch

Snacks

Dinner

After quarantine:

These Will Hold You Back

 I will get everything perfect.

I will control everything.

I will say yes to everything and leave myself open to feeling exhausted and taken advantage of.

I will determine boundaries are selfish and as such will have none.

I will decide saying no means I am not loyal or dedicated enough.

I believe I am not good enough and this belief will influence all my decisions.

I believe I am helpless and cannot do things without others doing them for me.

I will live with envy in my heart for all the things others can have that I can’t have.

I will be perpetually attracted to people who are not available to me or don’t treat me well.

I am afraid that others will judge me so I will take no risks.

I will be angry at anyone who does not see things the way I see them.

I will commit to things and then not follow through so I can show me I cannot really be counted on.

I will make excuses to justify things I do that are not good for me. (I’ve had a rough week and deserve this plate of french fries.)

I think people who truly love me should just know what I want so instead of spelling it out I will get angry if they don’t get it right.

I will never ask for help.

I will live convinced that I don’t deserve good things, and don’t deserve to be loved.

-Dushka Zapata