Q. What was it like to grow up in Odisha and then moving to Delhi for higher education?
A. I come from a village in south Odisha. It is an Adivasi-dominant area and growing up I saw caste discrimination and lack of opportunities. Since there is no one in our families or even the community who has gone for higher education, children like me had very little idea about what to do after school.
After Class 12, I took a bus to Bhubaneswar and while walking around, found a government college and enrolled.
That lack of support and information is a major hurdle. You end up in traditional courses like BA, BCom or BSc. There's no clarity on career prospects. Job options are limited to becoming a school teacher or a lecturer if you are fortunate enough to do a master's degree. At the same time, your family has its hopes pinned on you.
Luckily, I came to know about JNU from an acquaintance and decided to apply for BA Spanish. During the third year, I started reading more than course books, started talking to people and understanding more about Indian society, where I come from and my identity.
I went to protests that broadened my perspective. I come from a family in which everyone my brother, father, grandfather - is a singer. I thought I would give it a shot and tried singing in Hindi and English. I got a chance to travel to universities and colleges across the country.
Q. When did you decide to apply for Oxford University?
A. After I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Spanish at JNU, I wanted to work in a call centre, MNC or some international school where I could teach Spanish. I also tried competitive exams for a short while.
Then a Dalit senior from Uttarakhand who was studying in Oxford reached out to me to apply for the university.
This story is from the December 2022 edition of Careers 360.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2022 edition of Careers 360.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A university dying a slow death
Darjeeling Hills University has students but no permanent vice chancellor, teachers, administrators or a campus
What state universities are doing with their autonomy
Lucknow University is planning new courses, online and offline, but Madras University is grappling with funding problems
MIT Art, Design & Technology University
MIT Art, Design, and Technology University: We Dare to Dream and Care to Achieve it | MIT Art, Design, and Technology University: Achieving Excellence Through Diversity for All Mankind | MIT Art, Design, and Technology University: A Community of Lifelong Learners, Responsible Global Citizens, and Champions of our Own Success | MIT Art, Design & Technology University: Successfully pioneering Holistic Development, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Fewer offers, slimmer packages
Like in engineering colleges, placements at top arts and commerce colleges are also facing a slump
The rot in research
Delayed fellowships, straitened resources, discrimination, exploitation, poor management Indian researchers have their backs against the wall
From maths to the wandering mind: What IKS centers are studying
Over 50 IKS centres have come up across education institutions and non-profits to lead research on Indian Knowledge Systems. Here’s what they are studying
EMPOWERING DIVERSE MINDS ACROSS VARIED DISCIPLINES
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the paradigm has shifted from mere academic excellence to cultivating holistic development and innovation.
How 'Lady Kim Jong' is forcing Bengal's private teacher training colleges to fall in line
Embarrassed by a notification issued in Assam, the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University (BSAEU) cancelled affiliation of 253 private colleges for breaching regulations
ADIGHUNGHANAGIRI UNIVERSITY
Sri. Dr. Nirmalanandanatha Ginn turned the vision of Sri. Sri. Sri. Dr. Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamiji into a reality by establishing the Adichunchanagiri University for providing world class professional education to the rural population.
CUET: The other side
Delayed admissions, swathes of vacant seats and loss for local students what the CUET exam has meant for universities and why more are now pushing for alternative’ ways of admission