Defining success differently

Understand that great marks are not all it takes to succeed,” say yesteryears’ university toppers, who feel that real success is defined by several factors that stem from an innate self-awareness, rather than from a relentless pursuit of an elusive state of mind mistakenly defined in monetary terms.

Raj Sadhwani, grew up in  a business family. He passed out of St Joseph’s Commerce College with a best outgoing student award and a University rank. On completion of his MBA, he chose to return to his alma mater to pursue his real dream of becoming a teacher.

Mentoring young minds excited him more than racing up the corporate ladder or building a business empire. “I love teaching and helping young people fulfil their potential. I am also lucky that my parents support my decision and the Principal and staff were willing to overlook my inexperience and let me live my passion,” says this 25-year-old teacher who loves his job.

By also helping in the family business after a hectic teaching schedule, Raj has found a way to do something he really enjoys and keep from feeling guilty. Joseph Rasquinha, a 1983 rank holder, modestly describes himself as an average student with a tenacity of purpose that helped him achieve his academic goals — a PhD by age 27 from St Andrews University in Scotland.

Now a happy family man with a successful HR business, he says that success to him is about finding happiness in all aspects of one’s life and being able to support oneself in the process. “Society has tried to emphasise that success means money, status, big titles and fame but real success comes from within and knowing you are living your purpose and doing your part,” he says.

An Economics topper, Benson Issac decided to major in Social Work and graduated from TISS in Mumbai. Now a part-time teacher and actively involved with youth and education-based NGOs, he says, “Success is very personal. Someone may have an apparently minor job or hardly any money and others may tag them as unsuccessful. Please be careful with this. You may find that person is as fulfilled as can be because the life they are living is what perfectly defines success for them,” he says. Vishal Bhargav, a student counsellor, asks, “Is monetary success more important than personal well-being? Would you rather make a lot of money doing something you hated or less money doing something you loved? There is no right or wrong answer. Many of us grow up thinking that money is of principal importance, and you are not really meant to enjoy your job. After years as a counsellor, I find the opposite is true. Really successful people are happy and productive individuals who alwaysleave a positive impact on others.”