Neeltalks

Can one truly break free from the circumstances they are born into? Life unfolds quickly and often in unexpected ways. As I sit in my college courtyard on a Sunday evening, reflecting on the moments that brought me to America, I think back to my upbringing in Surat—a tier 2 city in India—where I absorbed Gujarati culture in a traditionally Bihari household. I grew up in a humble one-room kitchen with my loving parents and brother, a setting that profoundly shaped my outlook on life. It is widely acknowledged that our environments and circumstances play significant roles in shaping our futures, and I am a living example of that.

Facing constant financial hurdles often eroded my confidence, especially when compared to my privileged classmates. My inspiration came from my parents’ relentless emphasis on education and their dedication to ensuring I received the best schooling possible. This instilled a dream in me: to uplift children facing similar challenges, to initiate change at the grassroots level, and to empower those deprived of life’s basic opportunities. I aspired to join the civil services in India, but personal setbacks and a lower risk appetite eventually derailed that dream.

After struggling in my higher secondary education, I redoubled my efforts during my engineering studies, striving to excel academically and eventually joining a fast-paced startup specializing in cloud and cybersecurity. Work became my refuge and source of fulfillment. I approached each project with passion, finding joy and purpose in my professional pursuits. My determination to achieve excellence never wavered, and a solo journey to Varanasi reignited my ultimate goal: to bring about meaningful societal change.

Pursuing higher education became a natural progression for me. My professional experience with U.S.-based clients and a strong GMAT score opened the doors to the United States—a land brimming with diversity, openness, and innovation. This journey has often made me reflect on the forces that propelled me from a modest home in Surat to a top-ranked MBA program in the U.S. I continue to explore and learn, driven by a relentless reminder to myself: to find that moment, that idea, or the means to give back to someone sitting in that small room, filled with hopes and ambitions, willing to break the ceiling of hardwork, wondering if they can really break free from the circumstances they were born into.