GaaaaATExperience

The exam is officially and universally called as Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineers (GATE). Usually for others its GaATE or GATE, but for me it was rather GaaaaATE as it took me 5 attempts to open the gate for my future.

When I joined a private engineering institute in town, with a inspiration from my mentor, that if not through JEE will crack GATE and do the PG from one of the top Indian Institute.

So the 1st fight started with joining a coaching institute in town, faculty was a research scientist in a defense organisation, he gave enough boost in knowledge in 3rd year of my engineering, and I attempted the GATE-2011, with a mediocre preparation and got mere 19 marks in it, but due to basic human nature the sigh of relief was that - these are more then my college mates.

Next year I joined different institute, faculty was DSP of city, but was GATE-EC AIR 56. Starting was good but within 2 months energy balloon was to be burst, due to pinning of final year industrial training and campus placement , I got placed in 2 MNC but that was not moving me I wanted to open the "GATE". I went to attempt GATE-2012, with just an average preparation of 2 months and secured 654 rank. Its true that when you don't have fear of getting hurt of falling, you wont walk properly. For us (Instru) people, 654 was nothing, and thus I joined one of those MNC, and got involved in working-bachelor feel.

Studies were kept aside for a year, but still with some basic concept, I attempted GATE-2013, and was able just clear it with cutoff 25 marks. This result didn't shook me much because monthly money was bulging into account,.

Now GATE-2014 was my target, I took postal coaching from an Institute, and followed NPTEL lectures. I devoted my night hours in office for studies, this was more of a planned effort. Took sick leave 15 days before exam, and attempted with confidence, but result was heart breaking I got 491 AIR rank, best up-til now, but not enough, I thought to comprise with my target, and settle with good enough. But good enough was also not ready to take me, I didn't even got to be in any NIT, at that time I felt like drenched in failure, with loss of all hope and courage I continued my job, in which I was least interested by then. 

Months passed and my inner instinct pulled me out of the failure and, there born the desire to give a try to GATE-2015. I forced my organization management to grant me, transfer to Hyderabad. I wanted to start my learning on a blank slate, with India's best institute there. First time getting out of hometown was completely a new experience, just on 1st day of my stay in Hyderabad, I quit, decided to go back. Fear of new city, new people, challenges standing in front of me were haunting me. I crumbled by strong wave, that has suddenly hit me hard. This was the turning point for me, I asked myself either I will be winner or I will be wise, thus losing was not an option. I got answer for whether I want to be Winner or Quitter.

 And wonderful journey began with sleepless nights, homesickness, coaching in morning with office at night, travelling distances on foot, compromising with hunger, dealing with loneliness, getting habitual of studies and pulling out time for it.

The light in darkness, was to "Fight with myself ", stretch my limits, push myself hard. 

Dealing with all undermining circumstances, I listened to my heart. 31 Oct, I left my job, and throw ed myself for full fledged preparation. Looking at my family it was difficult decision to take. Spent November to complete syllabus in coaching, and packed my bag for hometown on 6th December. Now, it was time for do or die. December and January went on a fly, days and nights spent with books, test paper solving, backing myself with motivation, no phone 20 days before exam, isolation and various extremes I tried to touch. 

And it all didn't went in vain, gate was opened for me with AIR 24 !!!

Today I am learning in India's one of 15 Center of Excellence, NITIE, Mumbai.

All because of God's grace, mother's love and elder's blessing.

God is there and he always show you path, you have to listen to him, he is right inside you, listen to your heart.

Best  Wishes..