::me::    ::my education::

Born to parents that believe in larning through constant re-learning, a fact I have grasped is that the process of educating onself is a life-long one and hence I always feel inquisive to acquire more knowledge through various sources.

One such kind though is what I would call 'direct' education:

It was 1983 and I was still under three, when I joined my first school, Green Field High School, Chandigarh. It is here that I learnt the basics of language (had to start with English, Hindi and Punjabi and ofcourse was already learning Telugu at home) a little about mathematics (I was already enjoying the addition and stuff and often used to confuse and annoy fellow mates) and science which was very interesting with human anatomy capturing my interest.

Starting there, it just went on and on from school to school. By the time I had finished my class X, I had almost tasted all the various standards of education in India each with its own strengths. I did my class I - class VII at St. Xavier's under ICSE (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education); class VIII - Class IX at Shivalik Public School under CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) and finally class X at St. Alphonsa's under AP-SSC (Andhra Pradesh State Secondary Certificate).

By the end of my schooling, my amusement for Mathematics and Computers induced me to the field of engineering. Eventually, I took-up Bachelor of Engg. majoring in Computer Sc. & Engg. and graduated in the year 2002 from Bellary Engineering College affiliated to Visveswaraiah Technological University hence completing 16 yrs of formal education.

I then tried to relocate myself professionally and infact came across a number of opportunities but at each phase I always felt the need for higher education before settling-down in a profession. And thus, I enrolled in the program of Master's with major in Computing Science at Umea University, Umea, Sweden.

Currently, I am a part of Pramati's Product Development Services division employed in the capacity of a 'Development Engineer' based out of Hyderabad. Ours is a Java-oriented development company and for the moment, we are working with J2EE/ Middleware technologies. I've been working here for a period of over two years now.

Another would be what I understand to be 'indirect' education:

Well, my first lesson in this category began when I was perhaps seven years old and was sent to a store nearby home to purchase milk. I was given Rs 10/. and the milk costed Rs 6/. but the shopkeeper returned only Rs 3/. in change. Innocent me that I never thought it could be so. I do not remember what happened after that, but the lesson was learnt, firstly, we should check the date of manufacture and expiry on every purchase we make esp with food items and secondly, always look for the correct change.

Be careful with your belongings when you are travelling in a packed bus or are in a public place with many people around, lesson learnt after I lost my first wallet (so lovely, black imitation leather).

Gradually, I learnt to keep pace with the society and to change when needed, mend my ways to be a better person and this endeavor still inspires me to keep going. I learnt to master the art of knowing and following rules nevertheless I always believed that eventually some rules are meant to be broken. A memento presented by my fellows at the end of my bachelor studies still reads 'Man of Rules' and I am proud to have received the 'Best Monitor' trophy from the then CM of Punjab, Sardar Beant Singh.

Physically, I believe that I have attained a greater circumscribe by having stayed for considerable time at places as hot as Bellary (+45° C) and as cold as Umea (-30° C).

And this process of learning through personal experiences, mistakes and from our peers continues. I learnt a lot about interacting and socialising with people from various part of the world during my trip around Europe which I believe will help me with my communication skills in the future.