Our Scholarship Students Vikram, Lachmi & Sunny
Talking to three of our scholarship students about life after major exams and what the future holds.
By Shivanshu Singh
Lockdown has introduced all of us to a new way of living. Who would have thought that standing at marked circles for grocery and entering the banks with covered faces would be the new normal?
This was all a new experience for students as well as exams were cancelled and schools closed. Some fortunate students saw their classes moved online, but for the majority of the Khelo Rugby children once schools closed that was it. The challenging times continue, but there have also been some amazing adaptations to the changed environment.
We thought this would be a good opportunity to interview 3 young scholars, 1 each from Kolkata, Bangalore and Saraswatipur- Vikram (18 yrs- passed class 12), Lachmi (18 yrs- passed class 12) & Sunny (22 yrs- just graduated).
Tell us something about yourself?
Vikram - I am from Bangalore, I have just passed my higher secondary (class 12) exam. My father is a driver and my mother is a housewife. There are 4 members in my family, my parents, me and my younger brother. I am also a trainee in Decathlon under the education to employment project.
Lachmi - I am from Saraswatipur. I have nine members in my family, my mum & dad, five sisters and two brothers. My parents work in the tea gardens as labour. I have just passed my class 12 and got a scholarship to study sports management from Kolkata.
Sunny - I stay in Picnic Gardens, Kolkata with my younger brother and sisters who I look after. My father is a bus driver, but I don’t really have contact with him and my mother works in some houses as a cook and cleaner. I have completed my undergraduate degree in sports management from George College.
What is your best rugby moment?
Vikram - My best rugby moment was in Chandigarh, when I went for under 18 nationals. I got to play at a competitive state level rugby tournament for the first time and learnt so many things about the game which you cannot learn just by practicing. I also spent some quality time with my friends who also happened to be my teammates.
Lachmi - I have been playing rugby for many years now and in that time I have got a chance to represent India which is always special. My best rugby moment was when I got selected in the Indian team for the first time. The France tour with India was a great experience for me.
Sunny - I have been playing rugby since I was 12, my best moment that I still remember is when we went to represent the West Bengal state team and emerged as winners in the tournament. This was in Bhubaneswar and I was playing with all my friends.
Lachmi with her India team mates in Paris
Direct questions to Lachmi
How do you feel about moving to Kolkata for further education & how do your parents feel?
Lachmi - Shifting to Kolkata to pursue my higher education is a proud moment for me and my family and even for my friends and neighbors as I am first from my family who got a chance to study in college.
What are your expectations from the sports management course?
Lachmi - I am very excited about the course. I expect to learn more about management, gain knowledge, experience, learn leadership skills and grow in the process.
Direct question to Sunny
What would be your best learning during the bachelor’s course?
Sunny - During my course I have developed many skills. I have learnt financial management and business marketing which are crucial skills to start a business. The 3 years of the course have taught me a lot and I will use the information for my business.
Vikram with his Karnataka State team mates
Question for all three
Any difficulties you faced in the exams and preparations because of lockdown and pandemic?
Vikram - No, I was lucky, I didn’t face much difficulty as all my exams were finished before the lockdown except English. It took some extra time for me to revise the concepts and grammar part again but I managed well.
Lachmi - Most of our exams were done and I was prepared so I did not face too much trouble. It was just the eagerness of finishing the exams quickly and getting free which was disturbing me a bit (laughs).
Sunny - We finished our fifth semester before the lockdown and our last semester got cancelled because of the lockdown we just had to give our viva online as a sixth semester exam and got cleared.
What do you plan to do next?
Vikram - I do not have a concrete plan of what my future will look like but I have taken BCom, this will help me get a government job in a bank or other finance company. I am also a NCC cadet and will be appearing for the Indian Armed Forces exams as well.
Lachmi - I have got admission in sports management in George College, Kolkata. Mentally I am prepared for the course; I have done good research about the course and got some ideas that will help me. I have moved to Kolkata and am ready for the course to start.
Sunny - I have completed my degree now and I plan to stay in Kolkata and start a small business. I need to stay here to look after my family. I will also continue to work as a personal trainer which I’ve been doing for a few years now. I stay with my younger siblings and have to take care of them so moving out of Kolkata will not be easy for me.
Sunny with the West Bengal team and Rahul Bose