Life doesn’t bless us with many chances. In fact, it brings chances at our doorstep but those are rare where one could prove one’s mettle. And further rarest are the chances for everyone which carry all the elements needed for success in life. One such imperative element is providing education to those who don’t enjoy an easy existence. Gail India is one such entity which emerges as a humongous force behind the success of many lives as that of Ayush Jain.
My name is Ayush Jain and I am a resident of Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, which is situated at the periphery of Jhansi. My father Shri Akhilesh Jain is a shopkeeper. My childhood was as normal as of any other not well to do family. My studies went quite well as I never have had any pressure or force from my parents surrounding what I should opt in life or what I should become once I grow up. And I must mention that this aspect played an extremely vital role in my life. This also helped me in studying sans any worry. Albeit I was an above average student with 89.3% in 10th standard while secured 87.8% in 12th from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dailwara, Lalitpur, this was a phase of dilemma and confusion which left me with no clue for what to pursue after my 12th. As I didn’t enjoy much fortune like many others and had challenging circumstances, it was not easy for me to immediately opt for something. My parents were not in a position to afford coaching classes for me and on the other hand I was also of a strong opinion that I didn’t want to pursue any coaching where teachers don’t even know their pupil. This was my preconceived notion against these coaching centers. In my opinion, a teacher must know the challenges and problems of his students and that’s how he will be able to bring up the student in the best possible manner. Against such coaching system, I consider peer learning as the best learning system.
Then one fine day things took a little shape which landed me in appearing for GAIL Utkarsh Super 100. I must admit that it is a rigorous process of selection and somebody with an easy going attitude must not think of Gail Utkarsh Super 100. July 16 came into my life as a turning point where I attended my first class at Gail Utkarsh. Unlike the phrase “The grass is always greener at the other side”, my life got truly coloured with the green hues of a blessed life. Confidence raced through my veins while my mind confirmed without doubt that this was the place where a JEE aspirant should be. The initial phase was quite troubling as I had challenges in understanding Physics, though it was not something bizzare and happened with other students too. But teaching here is not just a profession, it is a passion, it is compassion. My Physics teacher helped me overcome my fear for the subject while taking personal responsibility of me and my studies. In a month only, I eliminated the fear of Physics. In the entire 11 months I spent at Gail Utkarsh, my role model Naresh Chandra Sir was a constant force to encourage and support me through thick and thin.
I pulled up my socks here and would leave my morning tea sometimes to utilise even those moments for study. At times it would be 3 or 4 in the morning that I spent sleepless nights for studies. I would remind myself of my dream of becoming an engineer. It is a common career for every third Indian today
to become an engineer, but I cherished this dream from my early age as I love technology. My training at Gail Utkarsh was not easy at all. Most of the times I went into depression due to the non-completion of my homework – which had become a common phenomenon, while on the other hand, my mind would grapple to its limits in recalling some of the concepts. Its recall value would come to its lowest whenever it came to remembering the last concepts I have had studied. This was true with the other students and peers as well. Besides my parents and teachers, my elder sister Royal Jain (who is a B-tech student herself) stood by my side to lend me a helping hand during my hard times. She helped me in understanding complex concepts every time I had one.
When I got selected for IIT Delhi, it brought tears of joy to my eyes, as I imagined many parallel dreams with tears racing down my cheeks. My wish is that I would like to become a very good engineer and serve my nation. I envision an India as a civilised nation where every individual is literate. I would like to give a message to the potential IIT/ JEE aspirants. Don’t worry if you are not able to cover every topic, but always remember that whatever you study everything related to it should be crystal clear in your mind. Never ever feel depressed that you couldn’t complete everything. Never think that you can’t do it. Reading good books also helps immensely.
At the end I would like to thank Gail Utkarsh, my sister, my parents and my loving and caring teachers at Gail Utkarsh and the staff workers for their invaluable contribution in my success. Without them it would not have been possible. I would like to close with one of favourite axioms by Abraham Lincoln – “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.