Scholar Success Story – Devika, the UGAM-Legrand Scholarship holder can now see a hope of light in her pursuit to be in Air Force and serving the nation. She is pursuing Engineering and believes that the knowledge in this field will help her to become a better pilot or an engineer in Air Force. She overcame social and financial hurdles with hard work and determination and availed UGAM-Legrand Scholarship which set her off towards her career goal.
Scholar Success story – A motivational success story of Devika Hari
Buddy4study: Tell us briefly about your academic and professional journey till now.
Devika: Since my father had been serving for Indian Air Force, I had my schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Air Force, Tezpur Assam, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Air Force, Kalaikunda, and West Bengal and at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Southern Air Command, Air Force, Akkulam Thiruvananthapuram. I had been actively participating in sports and extracurricular activities in addition to the education. I was School Sports Captain (Girls – Senior) during my 12th class. I had also availed the golden opportunity of serving the nation as an NCC (Air Wing) cadet and been a recipient of ‘A’ Certificate with ‘A’ grade. I secured 10 CGPA in matriculation with Sanskrit as language. I chose Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology with English for my +2 and secured 92% of marks. Now I am pursuing B Tech at GEC, Barton Hill. I also got selected to the NCC (Senior Division) Air Wing and attend the parades on every Saturday and Sunday. I also indulge in cultural events like cinematic dance and various sports activities like volleyball, athletics, etc. In volleyball, our team won 3rd prize in Kerala Technical University.
Buddy4study: What drove you to pursue a degree course in Engineering?
Devika: Engineering is a productive branch – it contributes to the society and what we see around us as a development is the by-product from many branches of Engineering. There is a great prestige that comes with studying engineering. I will learn how to think like an Engineer. An Engineer acquires logical thinking and critical analysis skills. His/her decision-making skills also get improved. One will have acquired the skills and the confidence to deal with any kind of problem. Of course, Engineering is one of the top-paid degree programs. That’s why I got interested in Engineering. My personal ambition is to either become a fighter pilot or a flight engineer in Indian Air Force. An Engineer at Air Force base or an Engineer in the Electrical/ Electronics/ IT branch is also high in my career list. I also wish to pursue post-graduation and go for research in the Electrical / Electronics / IT branch.
Buddy4study: What were the key challenges that you faced during the course of your journey to reach here?
Devika: In our country, girls are hesitant to select Engineering as a career choice, especially in the Military base. Most of the people try to discourage saying that other streams are better for girls. But I made up my mind to join B Tech program. I plan to join the Armed Forces after completing my degree.
Buddy4study: What has been your source of inspiration?
Devika: My father served Indian Air Force and I had been moving with him from one base to another. I have always been fascinated with airplanes and so, decided to fly them one day. Since all these inventions are the results of Engineering, I wished to pursue Engineering degree.
Buddy4study: How has your family supported you in your venture to pursue this course?
Devika: Even though our family income is very low, my parents have always motivated me to achieve my goals. My parents gave me all sorts of moral courage.
Buddy4study: How did you come to know about the Legrand Scholarship? What were the steps followed to avail the scholarship?
Devika: I came to know about the UGAM- Legrand Scholarship from one of the newspapers of Kerala “Malayala Manorama” which mentioned the source of this scholarship. My father helped me to do the needful and apply for the scholarship.
Buddy4study: What are your ambitions in the future and how do you plan to execute them?
Devika: My ambition is to either become a fighter pilot or flight engineer in Indian Air Force. I also aspire to pursue post-graduation and go for research in the Electrical / Electronics / IT branch.
Buddy4study: What piece of advice that you would like to impart to other potential aspirants like you who are constrained by various challenges towards pursuing higher education?
Devika: ‘Arise, awake and keep working till you achieve your goal’ are the beautiful words of Swami Vivekananda and I would like to inspire the aspirants like me with these words. If you are focused and can work hard, nothing is impossible in this world. I am aware that Buddy4Study is the largest portal for providing a diverse range of scholarships to children who hold immense potential. I will always be grateful to them for selecting me for Legrand Scholarship.
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