The 21-year-old is working towards providing quality education to underprivileged children
New Delhi: A welder in Bihar, who earns barely Rs120,000 (Dh6,579) a year, repairing metal gates, grilles, shutters and cupboards, is today a proud father, whose son Vatsalya Chauhan has landed himself a Rs1.2 million (Dh65,795) job with technology giant Microsoft.
The 21-year-old Vatsalya, a final-year student at IIT Kharagpur, will be working at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington from October this year.
Vatsalya says he has already set his goals and is honing his technical skills to prove his worth.
“I want to go far ahead in the game and learn at Microsoft and will then come back to my country and see how I can help my people here.”
Hailing from Sanhouli, village in Khagariya district, Bihar, though Vatsalya excelled at his studies, he often did not attend school.
“I was enrolled at a local government school, where the quality of education and environment was not good. I generally studied on my own and when faced with difficulties, approached village elders. Time has taught me that we need to strike a balance between studies and life and to bring about a change in others lives, I want to educate the next generation.”
He speaks to Gulf News about his plans.
What will be your priorities on receiving your first month’s salary at Microsoft?
My duty, undoubtedly, would always be towards my parents, who struggled to fulfill my dreams, without questioning my priorities. Despite his meagre earnings, my father borrowed a loan amounting to Rs350,000 to fund my studies at IIT. I shall first pay back the entire loan amount and then get the complete and comprehensive medical check-up done for my parents, as I feel it is extremely necessary for us youngsters to take care of our elders. I also plan to set up a school in Bihar.
But aren’t you too young to think of running a school?
I understand the value of education and how it can change lives. Since I am blessed with a good job offer, my mission is to start a world-class school in my village for underprivileged children and provide them quality education. Along with my friends at IIT, I am working on this project, which will help many like me to achieve their goals.
How did your journey towards success begin?
After finishing my schooling in 2009, I was admitted to a college in Bihar. But to simultaneously prepare for IIT entrance test I decided to join coaching classes and shifted to Kota in Rajasthan. In the first year, my grades were excellent. But suddenly my extreme interest in Mathematics took over and instead of concentrating on Chemistry and Physics, which were the main subjects; I began taking things for granted, spending more time on Mathematics books of higher classes. Though I cleared the college in Bihar, my first attempt at IIT exams in 2011 was a disaster. Instead of succeeding, I faltered. Realising what I had done by deviating from my goal, I wanted to give myself another chance. But no way could I muster the courage to ask or expect my parents to support me financially for another year.
So, how did you accomplish the feat that led to Microsoft’s offer?
I was plain lucky. At the behest of some teachers, who, I presume, had spotted my calibre, approached Brajesh Maheshwari, the Director of Allen Career Institute in Kota. In turn, Maheshwari Sir spoke to my father, who was reluctant to send me back again.
The director offered me a scholarship, requesting my father to just arrange for my train ticket from Bihar to Kota and the rest would be taken care of. I am indebted to the institute for having faith in me and providing continuous support and guidance throughout the year.
That led me to clear the IIT entrance exam with an all-India rank of 382 in 2012. Thereafter, I enrolled in Bachelor of Technology, Computer Science, as it is a very reputed department at IIT Kharagpur, and the students get good placements on completing their course. But being a Hindi-medium student, initially, I did face challenges, only to soon overcome them with sheer grit and determination to succeed. This is my final year and I am already looking forward to a new life and the transition from Maths to Microsoft!
Compared to other students, why do you think you scored with Microsoft officials?
I think, since the company believes in building quality software and provide outstanding user experience in technology; they require people who can come up with the most efficient solutions. During the interview, I fared well in stating those codes proficiently.
How many years are you giving yourself to work with them before wanting to come back to India?
I have not yet fixed any target and even while still there, my endeavour would be to do well for my country, especially my village. Even Microsoft executives, who interviewed me, know my inclination towards social service, since I had mentioned it in my resume. So yes, I would certainly like to gather technically sound knowledge in the US and then come back to India and serve my country.
Are your siblings as bright in studies as you are?
I can proudly say they are even better than me! While one of my three sisters is striving to be a doctor, I very much wish that my younger brother, who is studying in Class 9 and has excellent mathematics skills and gets good grades in biology chooses to become a doctor. Depending on his interest, he might even opt to become an engineer, but it will give me immense satisfaction if he serves our village, as we do not have a good doctor in the village.
Profile
Vatsalya Chauhan was born on December 14, 1994 in village Sanhouli, district Khagaria, Bihar, to mother Renu Devi and father Chandra Kant Singh.
Finished schooling from Sitaram Memorial School, Khagaria, Bihar in 2009.
Intermediate from MRJD Inter College, Begusarai, Bihar in 2011.
Joined IIT-Kharagpur, West Bengal in 2012. Will appear for final exams in April.
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