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Suman Rawat shares her experiences
with the
students of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam. |
"Two roads diverged in a
yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far
as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth..."
… that was perhaps the dilemma that I
faced at the fag end of my school life when I was to choose
between several of the career paths that stared at me. At that
juncture, the person who came to my rescue was our honourable
Principal Col. (Retd.) D.L. Sachdeva. He not only acted as a torch
bearer but stood as a true guiding star who reassured me of my
potential and my capabilities and pushed me forward.
I, thus, chose the road less
travelled. I went on to do Philosophy (Hons.) followed by my
Masters in Philosophy from the prestigious College of Delhi
University (Daulat Ram College and Hindu College respectively).
Having chosen Humanities after doing Science at school level,
evoked from most people a strange glance.
Nevertheless, I only reminded myself
of the words of Sachdeva Sir, that I will surely do well and I
just have to be focused.
School is always the best part of
one's life. I am extremely fortunate that the good part of my life
I spent on the banks of river Ganga and had the privilege of
attending Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam. I never missed an
opportunity to participate in extra curricular and co-curricular
activities of the school. I still remember how my stage confidence
found support from Dr. Quaylee Chakravorty, and how my love for
literature was honed by Mr. K.N. Uniyal. I am extremely thankful
to Mrs. Mridula Chaturvedi who taught me the value of a strong
character and I can never forget Mrs. Rashmi Jain, who was not
only my fashion icon, but my inspiration of excellence, too.
During my school days, I always had a
dream to be a fighter pilot. I always wanted to fly. I was always
a dreamer. But my father constantly reminded me that you have a
debt to Society, which contributes in making you whatever you may
choose to become. He always made me realize my responsibilities
towards society and always encouraged me to join IAS (Indian
Administration Service) which is a known platform for fulfilling
our social commitments.
During my graduation days, I became
inclined towards academics. Having scored first rank in the Delhi
University at undergraduate and post graduate level, teaching at
the University was an obvious choice. But my University sent me to
University of California, Santa Cruz, to work as a Junior
Specialist. While abroad, I realized that my heart lies amongst my
people and my countrymen and they need me more. I came back,
enrolled in the M. Phil. Course at the University of Delhi and
started preparing for Civil Services. Since by this time I had
generated love for academia, I started teaching at Daulat Ram
College along with my preparation.
All through this journey I
realized how grand the contribution of Omkarananda Saraswati
Nilayam is in the person that I am. All the confidence, the
strength of foundational knowledge emerged impeccable at each
stage.
Today I have achieved my father's
dream and my mother's wish. But it is my utmost desire that all
students of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam (OSN) should become the
jewels of the crown of India, so that we all with pride can say, "OSNites
have done it, yet again!"
I extend my best wishes to all the
students of Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam who are going to make
all of us proud. I request all the teachers to keep providing this
encouraging environment to these young champs.
And in the end I
would only say, no matter whatever path you venture on, stride on
with confidence, and push away the self doubts and the success is
yours.
"Two roads
diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less
travelled by,
And that has made all the difference."
With Best Wishes,
Suman Rawat,
Ex-Student,
Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam,
Rishikesh
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