I was in class 8th in hindi medium school where non-language subjects like math and science were in hindi language. Our final exams were approaching, school environment was buzzing with exam preparations. Our school principal arranged a gathering. We all were sitting in open auditorium with hopes of getting some tips for scoring good marks.

I don’t remember what tips he gave but only thing I remember is that he said “students aspiring to be engineers or doctors should opt for english medium from class 9 onwards, rest of students can continue with hindi”.

These words were echoing in my mind — what does he mean by rest of students? Students who don’t want to do anything in life? Should I join the group of students who are coming to school for doing nothing in life?

My family never set expectations like

“mera beta engineer banega” (My son will become engineer)

but I heard my father discussing with someone that engineers have good life. Anyways, I hate biology and heard somewhere that medical students have to cut frogs in labs. I decided that I will do engineering without knowing what exactly is job of an engineer. I took risk and registered my name with english group or in aspiring engineers/doctors group.

I told my mother that I will learn Science & Math in english language from next class session. My mother was shocked !! and said, “how will you handle english in maths and science, first manage to get good marks in English language”. I knew I was not good in english — in fact I was very bad in english. My relationship with English was like India-Pakistan, means we sat on table multiple times but no love happened between us.

My tuition teachers, parents and friends— all were shocked at my decision. My teachers were confident that I will fail this year. I asked my father, he gave me silent looks and said, “it’s your wish, if you think you can do it, then go ahead and do it”.

I started my 9th grade classes. My fellow students were making fun of me because of my poor English.

I struggled to understand things before I realized that term exams are approaching. My teachers were right , I failed in most of subjects — Maths(13/100), Science(9/100), Hindi(20/100), English (30/100).

No one was there to support me at that time. I lost my interest in study. I started spending most of my time in playing. I believe that was the reason I survived failure, I just diverted my attention.

After few weeks I came back to study table and started putting more efforts. I tried to remember diagrams which helped me fetching half marks of question.I managed to pass final exam and got promoted to class-X.

Consistent study and my will power paid off, I passed metric exams with 80% score and scholarship from punjab govt.

My Learning : Listen to inner voice, take decision and be firm. Accept the failure but consistent hard work will pay off at end.

Failed at Engineering Entrance Exam

I was not IIT aspirant but Thapar University was like IIT of Punjab for me. I was doing Diploma in computer science at that time and Thapar Institute was dream college for all of us.

There was special exam for Diploma students to get into engineering college. Only top 5 ranks could get admission in Thapar. I performed poorly in exam and got awarded 20+ rank. I could have got admission in PTU college but I refrained.

Embracing my failure, I decide to drop one year to prepare for next year so that I can get admission in my dream college. I argued with everyone around me who were insisting me to join any college and not to waste one precious year of life. My friends, parents and relatives were right that there is no guarantee of top 5 rank next year but I was determined to fight one more battle.

Along with my exam preparations, I started teaching science, math and computers to junior students in my town. This strategy helped me revising my concepts while making pocket money. I got lucky this time and scored 3rd rank in punjab LEET test :-)

My Learning : Listen to your heart and put 100% efforts to achieve your target. I wonder why students commit suicides in situation where they don’t get good ranks in competition exams?? is it really exams or family or society who is responsible for these killings?

Failed in first semester

I was on cloud nine with my admission in my dream college. Everything was looking green and shiny. Semester was over in no time and exam happened.

I shocked to see my result card, F-grade in one subject !!

I went into depression that lasted for complete 15 minutes — yes just 15 minutes :-)

Chill guys, many other students get F-grades and clear backlog papers in coming semester. Lesson here was to prepare well for future exams and not to repeat same mistake again.

Failed at my love life

I fell in love with one girl who was working with me in same company. I delayed in proposing her and she got married somewhere else. I lost interest in life with my broken heart and broken dreams.

I was in serious depression, so serious that I had to consult with psychiatrist. It was most difficult time of my life. My personal life and work life was suffering. I was looking for inner strength so that I could get out of black hole.

I got connected with spiritual gurus and started meditation practices. It was my new life with new purpose.

Failure at my first startup

Life took more twists and turns, I got married, spent two years in united states, blessed with baby boy — what else is required to live happy life? I guess nothing — but something was missing in my life.

I was not satisfied with my work profile, a useless software engineer, clinging on some shitty piece of software. I did not want to live a life where my work has no direct impact on human life.

I decided to resign from job to work on something useful for society. Unfortunately, within one year of starting up my startup went down .

There was financial loss, job loss, hope loss and dream loss. I lost almost everything associated with my startup. It was difficult to bounce back from this situation. I had one thing in mind..

Success is by-product of multiple failures

I thought that I survived failures in past, so I will survive this loss as well. It was never been possible without support of my wife, Neha. She not only supported me but encouraged me to stand up again to pursue my dream of raising a startup.

Later I joined education startup, PocketScience , which is working on gamifying science chapters for young children.