The Classroom of Life — Lessons Beyond the Blackboard

When I close my eyes and think about my school years, what comes rushing back is not just

a building or a uniform—it’s a feeling. A way of life. A deep sense of structure, belonging, and purpose. I had the privilege of studying at St. Xavier’s School, Delhi, from Class 1 all the way through to Class 12. In many ways, it was not just my school—it was the first institution

that shaped my worldview.

St. Xavier’s had a unique character—a quiet blend of rigid discipline and deep-rooted values,

wrapped in an atmosphere of nurturing excellence. It wasn’t just about marks or medals. It

It was about forming the kind of human being you would become long after the bell rang for the last time. The early years of school, until Class 6, were fairly routine—filled with lessons, homework, assemblies, and the usual mischief. I was a diligent student, but not yet shining. The turning point came when I stepped into Class 7. That’s when something inside me shifted—perhaps maturity, perhaps curiosity—and I began to excel academically. With that excellence came recognition.

I started receiving academic awards, which not only boosted my confidence but instilled a silent hunger for learning that has never left me. A moment of particular pride during my school journey was being awarded the Delhi State Junior Science Talent Scholarship during my Classes

9 and 10. For a young boy, that recognition wasn’t just a trophy—it was a reminder that I was capable of more, that I could dream a little bigger. By the time I reached Class 11, the academic

journey became even more meaningful. Subjects like Accounting, Economics, Commerce, and

Management wasn’t just part of the syllabus— they spoke to me. These weren’t just subjects; they

were windows into the world I would one day belong to. They made me think differently, plan

carefully, and observe the world of money, business, and policy with a keen eye. That early exposure, I now realize, laid the foundation for a career that would span decades.

But academics weren’t my only world. I was equally inclined toward sports, and the energy

of the playground offered a much-needed counterbalance to the discipline of the classroom. The

physicality of sport taught me resilience, team work, and endurance—traits that would later

come in handy in my profession. What I wasn’t, at that stage, was ‘creative’ in the

traditional sense. Creativity had not yet found its expression in me. It would come later, in the form of photography, writing, and even professional problem-solving—but as a child, it took a back seat. I was focused, perhaps even single-minded, in my pursuit of learning and performance.