A Journey of Transformation: From Struggles to Success

Years ago, I had the privilege of teaching Class VII Computer Science at a prestigious English-medium school in Jaipur. One ordinary day, a student named Shubham entered my classroom who, at first glance, didn’t seem so ordinary. He was small in stature, with a fragile frame and a pale, expressionless face that made him stand out from the rest. Despite wearing the standard uniform, his long, oily hair—tied in a simple rubber band—led me, and many others, to mistake him for a girl.

Once we realized he was a boy, it became clear that he had other struggles beyond his appearance. Coming from a rural background, he didn’t understand a word of English, which immediately set him apart in the eyes of his classmates. He had attended a village school and had recently joined this institution in search of better opportunities. However, instead of finding support, he was ridiculed for his looks, his accent, and his quiet, patient nature. But he never complained, never lashed out, even though he didn’t receive much kindness from those around him.

Despite the odds, he worked tirelessly, determined to keep up with his peers. He sought extra coaching from his subject teachers and barely managed to pass Class VII, earning just enough marks to scrape through. Yet, he didn’t give up.

Over the next few years, he gradually adapted to the school’s environment. Though still quiet, he grew more comfortable with the rules and routines, and even made a few friends. One day, I saw him standing near the boys’ washroom and, in a moment of confusion and impulse, I asked him angrily, “What are you doing here?” Embarrassed but composed, he softly replied, “Ma’am, I’m a boy.”

I was instantly reminded of his first day in class and felt a pang of guilt. His long hair had caused so much confusion among us teachers, but that moment made me realize just how much he had endured.

Then, something changed. A while later, I noticed him with a fresh, neat haircut. Curious, I asked him what had prompted the change, and he explained that it was part of a ritual in his family for a religious ceremony. Later, he shared this story on social media, where it unexpectedly went viral, reflecting how much he had grown in both confidence and identity. Let me share a screenshot from his Instagram post…

“Hey, I am CA. Shubham Agrawal @cashubhamagr from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Since this post is about my journey, I am taking the liberty to commence it from the very beginning.
Everyone’s life is full of ups and down and mine too had tides. My journey of knowledge began in a government school in my hometown and later on I was brought to Subodh Public School in VII standard. Since, I was a boy who came from a village that used to collect woods, cow dung, etc. stepping to Jaipur brought me to an entirely strange environment. Not only the atmosphere, but also my long hairs which I used to tie up usually, put me in great trouble since they looked weird. I did not get my hair cut due to some traditions, so most of my fellow students considered me a girl and not only students even my teachers considered me as a girl at first glance. I remember that on my first day in Subodh Public School, my IP teacher asked me “why I am wearing trousers and not wearing a skirt?” To my utter surprise I heard this word ‘SKIRT’ for the first time since I was not even knowing its meaning. Many a times while going for washroom my fellow mates used to stop me by saying, “sorry, this washroom is for boys not girls”.
This whole mess came as a mental trauma for me, I began living in stress, started skipping my exams and if I appeared in any exam, I used to fail. Most of my school time spent in corridors… standing out of the classroom in punishment. I cleared class X with just 5.8 CGPA and lost all hopes to stay any more in the city. My parents never showed interest in visiting school, to meet my teachers or to collect my report card as they knew I was not doing up to the mark during those days. Due to my rural background perhaps, I couldn’t grab any opportunity till class X to present and prove myself on any platform.
Somehow after reaching class XI, I faced the toughest decision of my life i.e. to opt an apt stream to build my career. I was in a dilemma, “Should I got for commerce or science”! Since my family is in medicine business for last 50 years, they wanted me to opt for science… so that I become a doctor but my mind and soul was suggesting me to choose commerce as the stream.”

By the time he reached Class XI, the boy had transformed. No longer the timid child from rural India, he had become a patient, responsible, and thoughtful young man. He chose to study “Informatics Practices,” the subject I taught in senior classes, and we occasionally reminisced about the washroom incident. He would giggle as he recounted the confusion he had caused on his first day.

At that time, I had recently founded the “Babbage Club,” a student organization dedicated to computer-related activities for students of all ages. I needed a captain for the club, and his name suddenly came to mind. Though he wasn’t the top of his class academically and lacked confidence in public speaking, something told me he was the right choice.

When I announced his name, his reaction was a mix of excitement and nerves. He had never been in a leadership role before, but I believed in him. Over time, I gave him more and more responsibilities, and he embraced them all with enthusiasm. He consistently surprised me with his dedication and growth.

One instance stands out clearly in my memory. I had to attend an urgent seminar and couldn’t oversee a planned club event, so I entrusted him with managing the entire activity. I even handed him my camera and explained how to document the event. When I returned, I was blown away. The materials were neatly arranged, the students’ work was meticulously organized, and the photos he had taken were well-composed and professional. He had handled everything beautifully.

Soon, the time came for the club to announce the results of a competition. After I read the names of the winners during assembly, it was his turn to give a speech. I watched with anticipation as he approached the microphone. He was nervous, and his words came out quickly, but the courage it took for him to speak in front of the entire school was undeniable. His transformation from a shy, quiet boy to a young leader was remarkable.

As the months went by, his confidence grew. After passing Class XII, he set his sights on an even bigger challenge—becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA). With the same quiet determination he had shown all those years, he worked hard and eventually achieved his goal. Today, he is a successful CA with an impressive career and a bright future.

Though, I moved away to Uttarakhand, we remained in touch. He often updated me about his life, achievements, and milestones. His social media presence has flourished, with over 1,200 followers on Instagram, 4,700 connections on Facebook, and more than 8000 professional contacts on LinkedIn. He is also the proud President of Subodh Public School Alumni Association and a founding member of an NGO called “Be Ahead.” His team even holds a national record in the Limca Book of Records for a career event in accountancy and finance for young people.

Now a highly respected figure, he leads orientation programs, seminars, and delivers guest lectures at some of the most renowned schools and colleges in the city. Beyond this, he organizes major events like Dandiya Nights and Cultural festivals, while also being regularly invited to mentor students aspiring to build successful careers in commerce, providing them with expert guidance and inspiration.

Recently, he got married and is now well-settled in life. As I reflect on his journey, from the timid boy who struggled with English to the confident, accomplished man he is today, I am filled with pride. I wish him nothing but the best in all his future endeavours, and I am certain he will continue to achieve great things.

I am filled with pride knowing that I played a part in his education.