Student Leader Interview- Srijan Bhattacharya, St.Xavier's College

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1. Tell us more about your role & responsibilities at your college.

There is a difference between being just a student of an institution for a few years and getting mentally attached to it forever! I somehow got into the second category as soon as I joined! I love to take responsibility and complete the work in a well-planned way. Moreover being a person, who believes science & arts goes hand in hand, It has become my habit to look into a topic from various points of view! These give me the self-confidence and people around me the confidence to trust me & lookup for me whenever they need someone to take responsibilities & organize anything successfully. But frankly speaking, beware of getting exploited.


2. How did you rise to your position and how can a student aspiring the same, approach it?

Though I am from a science background,  yet pursuing Science for my career was never my first choice. I am pursuing my second choice, Biology! I took admission to my college just for the sake of its name, fame & quality. Even being academically sound till class 12, I stopped studying once I joined college & got involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities. I got involved with something I wanted to! Being an active Theatre worker throughout, I had a base on the same, and these involvements added to my opportunities & PR. 

Gradually I took greater responsibilities & succeeded almost all the time! These gave me more self-confidence  & for those who aspire the same, I will request you to follow your will, if you have that independence, utilize it positively! For those who have different barriers, please don't lose hope, look at the distant independent future, take baby steps. Neither underestimate nor overestimate yourself. Whenever close ones become the reason for your emotional stress, think from their perspective, don't hurt them, neither do hurt yourself and cool headedly step towards your own destiny!

3. What have been some of your biggest challenges and learnings from what you do?

Since I was a bit careless about my curricular studies during my bachelor's, I didn't score the high marks in by B.Sc days, as I used to do till class 12! This change has made me depressed & lead me to underestimate myself, countless times! So What I want to say is that maybe the path you are following to reach your goal is a prolonged one but it will help to reach your destination only! Never give up! Do whatever you are doing with your full effort! Stay well-connected favorite & ultimate topic! I strongly believe that whenever we have work pressure we manage it in the best possible way & succeed in all of them.

4. What did you do in your current role that makes you feel really proud of yourself?

Dude, once you are proud of yourself, you are finished. As I said stop overestimating yourself. You are not alone, others are also efficient, others are also struggling, maybe more than you!! So don't compare yourself to become proud. Just be happy with what you are, what you are doing, how you are doing. No need to brag about your plans and feelings, they say empty vessels sound much. So be calm & quiet, be happy, & proceed with planned, baby steps.

5. What's your message to encourage students to do internships and attend conferences?

In a developing country, it has become a well-established fact, that whatever field you want to pursue, you need to have a healthy PR. To start participating in internships and attend conferences because that gives you a platform for interaction with people from your favorite fields helps you to gather knowledge & who knows what opportunities are waiting for you!

Enjoy life with a positive outlook.

Interviewed by - Basabdatta Chakraborty