After cracking CAT, they now study in IIMA’s first year PGP under B-school’s quota
for disabled
For them, the daily routine itself is a challenge. Climbing
stairs to go to class or lifting their laptop bag are difficult actions. Yet, they
are determined to overcome these challenges and make it big.
We are talking about the eight students who are studying in the first year of Indian
Institute of Management's flagship postgraduate programme (PGPI) under the differently-abled
quota. "I cannot run and have to take care that I do not miss a stair and fall down,"
says Ahmedabad's Chintan Udani, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis. It is an
ailment that affects the spine and joints. He may walk with difficulty but intends
to enjoy life at IIMA. In fact, it is the thrill of hostel life that has made him
forget his deformity. "I find it difficult to manage my daily routine but the joy
of staying in a hostel is unique. I am looking forward to a good time at the institute
and want to leave with a bagful of memories," says the gutsy youngster.
After completing his M.Sc from Gujarat University, Udani cracked the difficult CAT
exam in the first attempt. Udani is still not sure whether to venture into marketing
or finance. "I am still not sure about my field of specialisation. I want to take
one step at a time and my priority right now is me," he says with a grin. Another
physically challenged student Pavan Raj, 24, suffered from polio. He is unable to
use his right hand as a result, so he makes extensive use of the other hand. "I
cannot pick up stuff with my right hand. So I started using the left hand and now
can even sketch with it," says Raj. The Hyderabad resident, who has four years of
work experience as a software developer after an engineering degree from NIT Warangal,
hopes to have his own set-up.
"I plan to work in the field of market research for sometime and then
start my own enterprise. I am keen on building a school for the less privileged
and want to devote more time to the NGO I work with in Hyderabad," says the lad
who is inclined to social service. Despite hailing from a middle class background,
Pavan sponsors three schoolchildren. "I studied in Sarasvati Vidyalaya Mandir where
school fees were extremely low. I want to set up a similar school in the future
with my own money," he adds.
Courtesy: DNA India
