As a troubled teenager, I had to undergo various stigmas and struggles to live up to the hopes and expectations of my parents and myself. Like every aspiring young guy, oblivious of realities, I worked hard in hope of making to the IIT’s and securing my future. It wasn’t until I graduated from my senior secondary education that the realities came crashing down upon me. Unaware of the rush to grab the handful of opportunities on avail, I stepped out of school. It was then that the harsh reality kept weighing me down and considering the race for IIT’s, it seemed a distant and an unreal dream.
My father used to say,”ਪੁੱਤ ਸਾਡੀਆਂ ਉਮੀਦਾਂ ਤੇਰੇ ਤੋਂ ਹੀ ਨੇ, ਆਈ.ਆਈ.ਟੀ ਦੇ ਚੱਕਰ 'ਚ ਹੱਥੋਂ ਸਮਾਂ ਨਾ ਗਵਾ ਲਈਂ|” Initially, I used to ignore him but couldn’t deny the fact that time is the most important aspect of life and I was running out of it. Also, it is said that we may not realize it in the present but with time we surely learn and realize how important that guidance was and how lucky we were to have made that decision during those times.
The Pandemic, COVID-19 has been the 21st century’s biggest challenge to our world and threatened whole of the humanity but on the other hand it has also made us realize the value of what we have and has reminded us about our ignorance and negligence as well. Wishing to make it to the IIT’s, I listened to my parents’ advise and started looking for better and broader options for my higher studies and got enrolled into Chandigarh University. Everything was going well. The mentorship is great; I have made friends and moments for life, my educational aspirations were all being fulfilled with regular workshops, study tours, seminars, and what not.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 happened and our country went into complete lockdown for what seemed to be an indefinite period. Being in the last year of my graduation, my dreams again came crashing down as just before the final term everything was halted. I wondered how would I complete my syllabus, attend all those workshops, seminars and graduate with flying colours. I wondered if even exams were possible and if I would graduate in this year itself.
These factors had a deep impact on my mind but there’s someone always looking after you. In my case, while I was staying home being cautious of the disease and worried about my future on the same time, it was my University who didn’t let me down. I have never made better use of Internet than with Chandigarh University, who has been holding online lectures, webinars, assignments, discussions in the most emphatic manner. Battered by the pandemic, I can now truly look at life in altogether a distinct and an inspiring way.