#58: I made it to one of India's top Law College
Delhi, Mumbai or Bengaluru; Where am I headed next?
It was a regular evening in December when my sister was home and we were fighting over something. Not a fight really but we were just having fun throwing insults at each other.
Just before I was to leave her room, I opened up my e-mail to close the day and go to sleep.
“Dear candidate, you are selected for an admission to the Faculty of Law, Delhi University”
The mail read this and I laughed hysterically. Why?
Some back story:
In 2014, before going to pursue engineering, I made it to Government Law College in Mumbai. I had given JEE and had a rank to secure admission at some fine institutes however, some courage got me apply for the Law and boom! it worked.
My parents were not home and when I called them to inform about my decision to go to Law and not engineering, they were (as expected) not happy! So much so that, they thought I have a girlfriend who made it to GLC. In chase of her, I applied and now going to move Mumbai. (I learnt about this thought 6 years from then)
Reality is, I was tired of engineering games and something got me into believing that law is my sport. Long story short, I wanted to study for my first degree. (I can do that after engineering too however, it’d be tough to study engineering after law haha)
Back to 2022
I was in process of creating second video season of A Minute A Day. I recently sold this season to PhysicsWallah. While I was in thoughts of developing these videos, I learnt about Delhi University conducting exams for DU LL.B entrance. The teenager Himanshu from 2014 saw some hope here and applied. I even forgot about this until I was reminded of the admit card via email. Initially I thought of skipping it but the exam was in the same city as mine and I showed up at 8am shift to write this!
The results left me stunned. What I badly wanted in 2014 met me in 2022 when I was not even considering it! And how?
To give you context, Campus Law Centre is from where India’s sitting CJI passed out. There are another 3 judges in SC from the same institute. The institute completes 100 years next year and easily one of the best in the country to study LL.B.
What next?
I am still uncertain about going to college at 26. Considering I am doing good with my work and have prior commitments, it is even tougher to dedicate time to a full time degree when I do not have serious interest in litigation. However, the teenager me is rejoicing at the confidence it gives me!
I have been treated well in life for years since I left college. I cracked a job opportunity with a EU based brand fresh out of college, I have worked with leading startups, founders, and CEOs in India, I have sold my product or services to 5+ unicorns in India and list keeps growing.
However, somewhere deep down I knew, I do not have a ‘tag’ of a big time college. It is symbolic, yes. However, the symbolism is noticed more in its absence than when it is present. By cracking this entrance, I have attained this symbolic win in my mid 20s. Idk about others but it is a fine feet for me.
Side Note
I credit this win and selling to PhysicsWallah to my side project of creating 100 Articles of Indian Constitution. This side project paid rich dividends for me, in short and long run. This is my one page project report from this project.
Picture of the week