There Are Always Other Choices:

My name is Akanksha , Akanksha Bhattacharjee. I am a second year student pursuing BCA (Bachelor in Computer Application). I performed fairly well in the last semester having secured 7.2 Points, which roughly translated into percentage, will be 80% approximately. But my story just about begins here. It is the beginning of a long story. Let me share it in the hope that my story might comfort a few soft hearted girls, caught in the throes of Life.

Though I was born and brought up in the bustling Indian metropolitan city of Kolkata, I was moved to another country early on in my life as my father was working as a Language  Teacher there. I was a topper all through till I was sent down to the high school. I still remember that whenever someone asked me about my aim in life, ‘to be a docor’ I would instantaneously reply. I also started figuring out my parents aspirations and expetations from me at around the same time. My Baba in particular dreamt of my being a doctor one day.

After Standad-X, my parents decided to bring me back to my native place. Though I graduated from CCS as the topper, getting admission in a Kolkata school proved a hazardous task as it is difficult for any student coming from any Board other than the ISC or CBSC, to be admitted in a school in Kolkata.  When we were nearly giving up, CPS (Calcutta Public School) came to my rescue.

I had to take private tuitions to keep abreast of the completely new curricula I was being exposed to at that time. English was my favourite subject and I liked the English classes, especially the ones related to “The Tempest”. Biology, Maths or even Chemistry didn't cause me much of a headache but Physics proved my nemesis of some sort  Two years rolled by in a flash and soon I found myself preparing not only for the Board Exam but also for admission to other medical or engineering courses. I was so confident of doing well that I didn't think of obtaining the Admission Forms from more than four grade one colleges in Kolkata. Classes for various courses, in this part of the world, start before the results are out.

I will never forget the day my ISC result was out. My sister, Anu's result for ICSC was declared on the same day. My family was worried about her performance as she was not that serious about her studies. Naturally, when she cleared the Board Exam, were we not delighted? But the delight was short-lived. At around 3 in the afternoon, the ISC result were published. I was in for a shock as I couldn't secure more than han 79%. All my other close friends scored more than 85%. Though I secured 92 in English, 85 in the vernacular, my marks in Physics and Biology, my favourite subject were quite disappointing, to say the least.

I was denied admission in the three of the four college due to my marks in Biology. I was selected for majori g in English at the J.U though. But I had already decided not to study there due to the subject combination Along with English, I had to study either History or Political Science. Both the subjects were not my cup of tea. Surprisingly, when results of the first ever All India MBBS Entrance Test were out, I was found to have cleared it. It was long before that I decided not to pursue the MBBS Course mainly for two reasons. Firstly, it was very expensive. My estimation of the 4-year Course coupled with two more years for the M.D (as there are many doctors unemployed without any specialization) amounted to nearly 10 lacs. My father is no Bill Gates and spending such a huge amount was simply beyond his means.

The second reason was my desire to stand on my own feet as early as possible and lend him a helping hand. So having made-up my mind, I decided to go for BCA.

I got selected as the CR within the first month of my admission there. I have learnt about different things - about IT, computers and programming. I shall have completed my fourth semester by this time next year. And then we go for Campassing, when leading companies of the world come to my college looking for young entrepreneurs for recruitment and appointment.

I have no regrets now for life can be only challenging therefore, exciting for me, from now on. I believe I have made the right choice. Please bless me to be a successful, happy woman in life.