"Sometimes, I Just Keep Staring At My Gold Medal, Reliving Those Moments At KIAMS Auditorium When My Name Was Announced And I Couldn't Believe It."
The name rang out loud and clear in the hall. Shruti had heard it being called out, but was completely frozen.
Online, April 23, 2013 (Newswire.com) - The name rang out loud and clear in the hall. Shruti had heard it being called out, but was completely frozen. The KIAMS auditorium erupted into congratulatory clapping, but Shruti sat there... transfixed like a doe in the glare of headlights. A nudge from her batch-mate seated next to her confirmed that it was truly her name being called out. Waking out of her self-imposed stupor, Shruti regained enough composure to walk up to the stage. By the time she had reached on-stage, tears had welled up in her eyes. She couldn't stop them from streaming down her cheeks as she received the Gold Medal for earning the distinction of being the 2013 course topper of one of India's topmost B-schools, Kirloskar Institute of Advanced Management Studies.
"It was as if I was in a dream-world. While receiving the Gold Medal, I was continuously trying to trace my parents in the crowd, but the tears in my eyes made it really difficult. Once I traced them, I just kept looking at them. It is an honour no doubt, but the pride it has brought my parents is priceless. The feeling is indescribable. Sometimes, I just keep staring at my Gold Medal relive those moments when my name was announced and I was completely frozen and couldn't believe it was me. I was determined to perform well and learn as much as I could in KIAMS. That this would result in a Gold Medal was beyond my expectation. It's the best gift and memory KIAMS has given me to cherish for the rest of my life."
Clearly, it is a gift that Shruti Jain has earned by something more than just hardwork. So what goes into the making of a topper?
"KIAMS transformed me from a Dreamer to Achiever. With every assignment, every presentation, and every exam the sense of accomplishment grows. KIAMS gave me the perfect platform to understand my talents and abilities; something I would've never known. Being part of various activities and the Marketing Club Lead showed me the career path of my interest - Marketing. While my dad has been an inspiration right throughout my life, exemplary mentors like Dr. Gopal Iyengar, Dr. V.S Pai, Dr. Pinak Kulkarni, Prof. Satish Irde, and Prof. Siva have made me adept at application based learning. Last but not the least, it all boils down to the friends who are a part of your one-night-before-exams study group."
A BBA (Marketing) from Surat University, Gujarat, Shruti scored a 91%ile in XAT, and converted quite a few of her target management colleges.
"Among all the institutions, I found KIAMS to be the best. It looked like a hidden treasure; only the truly willing could find it as KIAMS doesn't over-emphasise on publicity. From the very day I entered KIAMS, I've never regretted my decision. I find myself to be a different personality now filled with confidence and ready to enter into the corporate world."
Shruti's mantra for success for her juniors is what she calls the "3 C's".
"Be Calm - Even in the worst of times; be Confident - in oneself as well as in the system one is living in; and practice Concentration - one should never lose his/ her focus from his/ her Goals."
5 years down the line, Shruti sees herself in a position of responsibility in the advertising industry - coaching other employees and managing more people in the same industry. At the same time, she harbours the dream of opening a school for differently-abled children. She believes, it will help them be more confident and less dependent.
Shruti Jain,
Gold Medallist,
Batch of 2011-13
