Vidya Bharati alumnus fromTelangana, with research experience from ISRO, Mr. Virivinti Vimal Chandra Sharma talks about the importance of nationalism and alumni to alumni connect.

Growing up in a family where both his parents spent their life time serving Vidya Bharati, Mr. Virivinti Vimal Chandra Sharma has deep affinity towards Vidya Bharati. The nationalist at heart, recently talked about his experiences via an interview, which has been given below.

Interviewer: Please give us a brief background of your academic and professional journey so far.

Mr. Sharma: I am an alumni of  Sri Saraswathi Shishu Mandir, Telangana (different branches) and completed my schooling from class 1 to 10 from there. After completion of my intermediate studies, I joined Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad to finish my B. Tech degree. Then I did M. Tech in Geoinformatics and Remote Sensing from Amity University Noida.

After completing my M.Tech, I joined  a private company, where I worked on flood modelling. In 2015, I got the opportunity to work for 1 year at ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) as a research scholar. My main field of study there was rainfall forecasting and hydrological modelling. After that I joined IIT ( Indian Institute of Technology),Hyderabad from where I am doing my PhD. This year I will be completing the course and plan to join the academics sector as a professor.

Interviewer: What made you decide to take this field of study?

Mr. Sharma: Initially I did not plan to take up this field of study, but I was to secure a good rank in my engineering entrance examination and although I got offers from several  private institutes, I wanted to study in a University campus as the atmosphere is different there. Also at that point of time I could not afford to study in private colleges, as the fees structure was quite high. My elder brother is a civil engineer and I had an interest in ‘City Planning’ as the subject was quite different.  So I joined Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad.

Interviewer: Your field of study is quite unique. If any Vidya Bharati students want to follow a similar path, what suggestion would you give them?

Mr. Sharma: I strongly feel that India needs a scientific contribution in every field, not only in engineering. I strongly suggest students to have a big specified goal and chose whatever the path is available to them based on their merit, intellectuality or financial condition. Don't forget your goal, your field is not relevant. Just find a connection and reach there.

Interviewer: How did your school impact your life so far?

Mr. Sharma:  It is the result of the unique style of education In Vidya Bharati schools, that all alumni turn out to be nationalist. The students are imbued with a sense of discipline and adherence to Indian culture.  For most of the alumni, money is not the main motivator in life, but we learn to work towards the development of our nation.

I have 1st hand experience of the positive effect that education from Vidya Bharati schools have on the personality of the students. But sadly Vidya Bharati schools are not doing too well in states like Andhra and Telangana. It is my dream to develop all Vidya Bharati schools in these states and turn them into model schools. For this dream to become fruitful, it is necessary to develop a strong network of alumni on a common platform, where ideas and responsibilities can be discussed. Presently I am trying to establish such a team.

Interviewer: Can you tell us something about your family?

Mr. Sharma: My family consists of my mother, Smt. Rukmini ji, my father, Shri Ravindra Sharma, both of him had served Saraswati Shishu Mandir for 30 years and now have retired.  I also have 2 brothers. My elder brother Mr. Subrahmanya Sharma is a scientist and my younger brother a business analyst. 

Interviewer: Would you like to share any message with the students of Vidya Bharati?

Mr. Sharma:  I would like to request all students to form a common network. If we can have a common platform, then location wise branches can be formed with one alumni can take up the responsibility from that area. In such a manner we will be able to form a chain in every professional field, consisting of Vidya Bharati alumni. Together this network can work towards a common goal, i.e. development of our nation. Apart from this  I would advise them to read books as they will help to widen your mind. 

Always remember that love for your nation is your ultimate goal and the best motivator to your life’s goals. ' VANDEMATARAM'.

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad, thanks Mr. Virivinti Vimal Chandra Sharma for taking out time and sharing his inspirational thoughts with the community.

If you are a Vidya Bharati alumni and would like to share your story as well, kindly email us your contact information to info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will get back to you.