Am I Really Capable?

This story is for everyone who once told me, “You won’t make it.”

In 2014, the JEE results came out. I was in Class 9, and Souhardya Da, a senior from our school, topped the state with an AIR of 2500+. The respect and attention he received left a mark on me.
His name was in the newspapers, and coaching centers had his photos everywhere.
He was felicitated at our school assembly, and as a 13-year-old, I was impressed by the attention he received.

That day, on the bus ride home, I told my friend, “IIT pawar ekta pickup ase na? Jodi ekdin amaro hoiya jaito” (There’s something about making it to IIT, right? Wish I could make it someday).
He laughed and said, “Tui prothom e school e 90% paia lo.” (First, get 90% in school).

When I started exploring Class 11 physics topics in class 9, I was excited. But instead of encouragement from teachers, I was met with warnings. They told me stories about students who failed in Class 9 and 10 because they were too focused on showing off their interest in advanced-level studies.

Cut to Class 10, when one of my teachers, whom I admired the most, told me, “You won’t even score a CGPA of 10. Forget about admission to this school.”

When I got a 100% scholarship at FIITJEE and decided to move to Delhi in my class 11th, relatives had their comments ready: “Jaar hoy, Agartala thekei hoy. Aar jaar hoyna, shoto Delhi giye o hoy na.” (If someone’s meant to succeed, they’ll do it from Agartala. If they’re not, even Delhi won’t help).

Before JEE Advanced, I heard a friend from Agartala saying, “Mains is easy and repetitive; anyone can score marks in Mains. Advanced isn’t for him.”

There were countless such instances. Friends, relatives, and even teachers doubted me at every step. I won't lie; their words did hurt and made me question myself—“Am I really capable?”

And I know exactly what you all go through—when the world tells you that you won't make it. It makes you question yourself: What if I don’t make it? What will people say? What will my parents think? What if I work hard and all my effort goes in vain?

But here’s the truth: this journey is not about them. The world will never understand your problems or your struggles. It’s about you. It's about your dreams. It's about what you want. Society will always have opinions. The only person who needs to believe in your capabilities is you.

One day, in the hostel, my friends and I were talking about what we all had in common that helped us make it to IITs.
We realized that every single one of us had been told at some point, “You won’t make it. IIT is not for you.” And that was enough to turn the tables.

The world will doubt you, and sometimes, even your closest ones won’t believe in you. But their doubts don’t define you. Your belief in yourself does.

Motivation from others might work for a few days, but self-motivation is what drives you through the toughest times. Trust in yourself and your hard work. Let your confidence do the talking.

As for those who doubted me?
Well, they’re the same people who now call me for advice on how their kids can clear IIT.
That Class 10 teacher? He called me last year, asking if I could tutor his daughter.

Sometimes, the best way to reply is with your success :)