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Personal Triumph

A Topper’s Inspiring Journey: From Trials to Triumph

From the sixth grade onward, we were introduced to additional subjects. I felt burdened like any other student and lacked determination and seriousness. I hadn’t performed well in the fifth standard. Concerned, my mother decided to hire a home tutor, Chetna Mam, to whom I am deeply grateful. If you are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Despite her financial struggles, Chetna Mam was highly intelligent and her life’s practical examples inspired me greatly. Her guidance transformed my thought process, and I gradually became serious about my studies. I started scoring well and consistently ranked within the top ten in my class.

At that time, we were not financially stable. My parents made significant sacrifices and struggled tremendously, yet they shielded me from our financial realities and provided the best of everything. This environment fostered my determination to achieve something significant in life. I aimed to prove to my parents that I was as capable as any son and also sought to set records in both my family and school.

During my Class 10 board exams, there were intentional disturbances at home—loud music, television on full blast—which were challenging as I needed complete silence to study. Despite these obstacles, I managed to score 88%, placing fourth highest in my school. Although I was disappointed for not topping my school, I was proud of my achievement and had a strong desire to pursue science and become an engineer.

Unfortunately, my school did not offer science courses for higher education, and my parents could not afford to send me to another school where I could study science, due to the high cost of books. When reapplying, I went with my mother to enroll in the 11th grade at the same school. My principal urged me to attend a different school and pursue science. However, I interjected, telling her, “Mam, it’s my decision to study commerce, and I want to continue my education here.” I’ve always believed that “everything happens for a reason,” and I felt that choosing science might have led to failure. As a 16-year-old girl, I decided to study commerce at the same school.

Even then, things were not easy; my sister’s engagement was called off just days before my boards, creating a vulnerable situation at home. Instead of losing hope, I chose to fight and focus on my studies. My determination paid off as I topped the 12th standard ISC Board. My parents, siblings, friends, relatives, and principal were incredibly proud of me, and my achievement was even highlighted in the newspaper. It was my first significant accomplishment, and I felt on top of the world, elated by the tears of joy in my parents’ eyes and the pride expressed by my sisters.

Advice for My Readers: Don’t just dream; you are the only one responsible for turning your vision into reality. If you dream big, be prepared for obstacles. Never lose hope, remain steadfast, and continue working towards your dreams.

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Personal Triumph

Self-Respect and Sacrifice: A Powerful Childhood Lesson from My Mother

The Value of Self-Respect: A Childhood Lesson to Remember

There’s nothing more important than self-respect. It shapes our identity, values, and how we carry ourselves. While it’s rare to notice this trait in children, some kids seem to have it naturally—perhaps it runs in their genes. This is a heartwarming story from my own childhood, where I learned the importance of self-respect through my mother’s sacrifices.  

A Mother’s Love and Sacrifices

As the youngest daughter in my family, I was pampered, mischievous, and innocent. My mother always aimed to provide me with the best life she could, even as we faced financial struggles. She never allowed me to feel the weight of our circumstances.  

Whenever there was a birthday party or family function, my mother would borrow beautiful dresses from my cousin, who was the same age. Buying new outfits wasn’t an option, but she prioritized my happiness above her own feelings about self-respect and pride. My elder sister often missed these events, as only I was taken to maintain this arrangement.  

A Moment of Realization

One day, I saw my cousin wearing the same dress I had worn to a party. Curious, I asked my mother, “How is she wearing my dress?” To ease my confusion, my mother simply said, “It must be a copy.”  

Later, during my uncle’s wedding, my mother bought me a new outfit, thinking it would make me happy. However, I noticed the difference and became suspicious.  

With teary eyes, I confronted my mother:  

“Did you borrow this dress from Aunt again?”

Overwhelmed, I cried, realizing how much the borrowed dresses bothered me. That day, my mother made a heartfelt promise: we would never borrow clothes again, even if it meant skipping future events. She put aside her self-respect and ego for my happiness.  

A Lesson in Self-Respect and Gratitude

Through this experience, I learned that self-respect is crucial—something my mother embodied. Today, I have a wardrobe full of beautiful clothes, and I rarely repeat an outfit in a month.  

This story serves as a reminder that parents often go to extraordinary lengths to provide the best for us, even when faced with challenges. Their love and sacrifices shape who we become, and they deserve our deepest respect.  

Hold On to Self-Respect and Stay Positive

Self-respect is a quality that should never be compromised, no matter the situation. Challenges and tough times are temporary—keep moving forward with hope and a positive attitude. Life will change for the better, and one day, you’ll look back and appreciate how far you’ve come.