Beyond PPOs and Promotions: The Courage to Work for a Greater Cause
My grandfather called me courageous. A statement that keeps on ringing in my ears whenever I face a challenging situation.
I am sure all the students from all the top B schools are interning, all braced for the next 2 months, to prove themselves, their capabilities, and achieve their dreams, which can be personal to each one. While everyone wants a PPO, their personal motivations would be totally different. When I see all my peers having this common goal, it excites me to see how capable and committed the young minds of our country are. However, the current situation in the country and some other incidents crossing my path prompted me to think whether this is all that we are all working towards. Ultimately, we are working for corporates, corporates are working to make profits and providing employment to the country, the country in return is strengthened by a stronger economy whenever their profits go up and when this spiral goes up, it brings our country to a level to have a crucial standing in deciding the fate of this world.
Our end goal can be whatever, but our actions are all contributing towards a larger goal. You may not call yourself a patriot, but you are one if you work on your goals honestly.
It takes a lot of courage to be brave enough to be honest. First to yourself, then to anyone else. If everyone can work and do their daily chores, realising that the end goal might be serving our country, how beautiful it would be. There will be no corruption; all the government officials and the institutions, political leaders, would work with full honesty and give fair chances to those who deserve. If all the teachers worked with full honesty, all the students would be motivated and be cultivated with the growth mindset needed for the growth of everyone and this country. If everyone thought of not cheating anyone, but seeing each other as humans with emotions, we would make this country and this world a better place. Even a small act of cleaning a surrounding would contribute to a better country, so meanwhile you might be wondering how you are a part of the larger goal besides the one that you already have, thinking from a larger perspective would certainly help in achieving your dream but also give you the confidence in yourself that you are a part of something larger than just yourself. When you go to sleep, you are satisfied and proud of yourself that you are so honest in your work that the position needs you and that you don’t need that position.
When the men of this country fought the colonial rule, they thought of not just themselves or their families but of the country as a whole. I know a piece of writing won't change anything, but even if it motivates you to think that you are a part of something larger, larger than just paying off your loans, buying a big car and a big house, then you have no idea how great of a patriot you are.
I am studying at the prestigious college, Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode, and our respected director, Debashis Chatterjee, told us during our orientation that "Positions don’t define you, you define the position" and that "India is the best in the world? No. It's best for the world." The entire speech by Sir was so moving, I wish I could transcribe it all; however, these lines that had so much impact on me made their way to my notes, which I can share in my writing here, supporting my thoughts.
I hope anyone who reads this sees themselves as the catalysts who can drive transformation from their small acts to make India the best for the world. Being aware that you are a part of something larger than just yourself, your dreams, and the small world that surrounds you, would strengthen you to come out of the small human issues faced by everyone, feeling stuck, aimless, out of sight of your visions, and depressed. It would enable you to work so hard that no position and no one can ever reject you, not even you, yourself.
Be courageous, and see your life as more than just something to be lived for daily. May your small actions have a lasting impact, an impact uplifting mankind and your land, even after your life, even if you are aware of it or not. If you are a medical student, may you study so hard that you can serve humanity; if you are an UPSC aspirant may you study not just with the mindset that you are learning things to clear an exam, but to realise that you are going to shape the country in multiple unimaginable ways possible; if you are an MBA student, may you realise your work is not just to work to get a promotion but to bring your company to a such a high level that it contributes to the betterment of the society. No matter what your occupation is, if you do it with full integrity, you are a true patriot and part of something bigger than just yourself and your dreams.
As I reflect on everything — the dreams we chase, the small acts that build a better nation, and the courage it takes to live with honesty — I realize why my grandfather’s words stay with me.
Being courageous is not about grand gestures; it’s about showing up every day with integrity, hope, and a sense of purpose larger than yourself.
Every time I choose honesty over shortcuts, hard work over comfort, vision over fear — I live up to the courage he saw in me.
And if even one small action of mine helps uplift someone, or strengthens my country in ways I may never see, then I know I have honored his faith in me.
May you have the courage to realise that even when you are rejected, if you are capable and honest and have a larger vision, you will always win in the end!
May God give that courage to everyone!
