Amitabh Tripathi
Deputy Controller General of Accounts
Ministry of Finance

"Its great to be part of the Chevening both in terms of the privilege and the responsibility that it bestows. It is an opportunity, for all of us to study in one of the most multi-cultural educational environment and that in itself will be a huge learning experience. Personally, it is a challenge getting to the world of academia (after so many years of working) and am really looking forward to it." 
 

Amrita Bahri
Student, LLB

"An amalgamation of immense excitement with a bit emotional aching to part with the loved ones, a Mt Everest touching level of pride as Chevening Scholar but burdened with loads and bundles of responsibilities on the shoulder to perform and come out as a Chevening Star, a boundless power of zeal and enthusiasm to make every stone and leaf turned at The LSE but with a sense of scare to face a new culture, new lifestyle, new faces and a new world.

Having said this mixture of feelings, I am on the top of the world because I feel awarded for all my late night study sessions, my sacrifices for not hanging around or going to movies and limiting myself to my study table (study blanket in winters), my day to day work as The President of Delhi University Students Union, The ups and downs during that Presidential year which came as resistance and opposition and a lot more extra miles climbed. Now, as a Chevening Scholar, I truly feel awarded for ‘That Extra’ I have done in life. I also feel blessed in the way that there are only a handpicked who actually get their share in the world and acclaim for their hard work. Nothing is more pleasant and miraculous than seeing your efforts and works getting its due share of recognition.

Today, I stand on the shore, waiting for my departure in 12 days, and pledging to always keep doing ‘That Extra’ in life and achieving more such milestones of success stories."

Ankur Garg
Student

"A new and probably the most interesting, challenging and rewarding chapter of my life is going to start in a week’s time. With the 14 day wait for the visa finally over (Yes, I was counting) and after that uncountable number of lists, wanting to carry every possession I have ever owned (thanks to the generous baggage allowance, I can at least carry some of them), I am finally prepared to experience what I call the evolutionary phase of my life in one of the most beautiful country towns at one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.

I have already started feeling the aura of the prestigious reward bestowed upon me. Apart from a number of calls from newspapers for interviews and various dinner invitations, the idea of being surrounded by a group which is so interesting and exceptional makes me feel special. The most remarkable thing is that, everyone on the 25th anniversary batch of the Chevening Scholarships hails from diverse range of backgrounds but at the same time all of them are so identical in the sense of being high achievers, yet very down to earth people with a daunting spirit to change the world in their own unique ways. Being in the company, I almost forget about more serious things in life like an untouched reading list of 64 books and a daunting task of choosing electives before landing in the UK (7 from a list of over 200 after reading a two page description on each).

The joy and honour of being a Chevening Shell Centenary Scholar to Cambridge in its 800th anniversary year is something that cannot be defined in words. One actually needs to experience it to understand it. But with it comes the huge responsibility of carrying forward the legacy and traditions and meeting the standards set by such an accomplished group of individuals. All I can say about this feeling is that, ‘Excitement’ is an understatement."

Anu Joseph
Deputy Special Features Editor
CNN IBN, English News Channel

"I'm currently running around trying to tie all the all loose ends before I set out on what I'm sure will be a life changing journey. I think I have made 16 and a half lists so far. (Note to self: you're not in one of your shooting assignments to a remote village, whatever you leave behind, you will find in the UK!)

But between trips to the bookstore and the dentist -- daunted by the oh-so-gruesome prospect of a toothache and an untouched reading list in the city of spires -- I sometimes wonder at the brilliance of it all.

To be able to pursue the first, and the most ideal course that I found in my subject when I decided to take time out and study, and to have been bestowed the privilege and honour of a scholarship like the Chevening is, to my mind priceless.

As I look ahead to a year of living and learning in a new country, engaging with different minds, and forging new ties, the wonder is not in the fact that I have secured financial aid to do what I love, but that the Chevening experience is something I will always have, to reinforce my sense of achievement and self worth.

On a lighter note, I am of course eternally and collectively beholden to Chevening and Oxford for sparing my husband and me the trials and tribulations of fortnightly appointments in different cities having secured a place to study together."


Girija Bahety
Student

"Getting the BG Chevening Cambridge Scholarship has been one of the most remarkable moments of my life especially being one of the youngest scholars for 2009-10. The award has given me the confidence and the motivation to pursue my academic interests with sincerity without having to worry a lot. I view this award as a symbol of recognition in the society of my sincerity till date and of future. I wish to translate the knowledge gained during my course for the growth process of my home country, India."

Manoj Krishnapillai
Chief Administrative Officer, Technical Team Manager
Torque Technology Solutions

"When I first got the confirmation of the Chevening - it was like out of the movies - I had a thousand images flash before my eyes and the reel came to a stop on one poignant image - a staircase leading up.

It was exhilarating and tense at the same time - because as much as I knew this was the culmination and recognition of years of work it also meant that I had now and forever have to conform and meet a higher standard - call it a gold standard that was called the Chevening.

When I was going through the motions at a dinner hosted by the H.E. High Commissioner - I realized that the Chevening was already all and more of what I had hoped it would be - a stepping stone to higher planes of success. I was asked by a previous alumnus "How I felt"; I answered that I was scared and he told me "Good, being scared is good - it means you have some thing to lose".

Later recounting the conversation I was reminded of Dostoyevsky in his famous work - "Everything is in our own hands; only through sheer cowardice will it slip through our fingers."

And so I am scared, tense BUT exhilarated and thoroughly looking forward to the experience awaiting me at Lancaster as the Chevening Scholar."


Ria Thomas
Senior Architect
Larsen & Toubro Public Ltd.

"A million thoughts and scenes play havoc in my mind - the events of the past year, the people who helped, the tasks of keeping the faith and hope....even trifling thoughts like fitting my bags within allowance.

But one eupohric scene I welcome, and so it lingers on - The moment I knew I was a Chevening Scholar! The immense onus and responsibilities expected of me sober me down, but I remain confident of surpassing them all.

I am proud that in a year, I would be the alumnus of London's oldest university,UCL,the first to declare secular admissions,the first to admit women on equal terms with men and the place where Coldplay first met!

As I take those steadying breaths before taking a nervous, excited plunge into the unknown, my gut says "This is your time under the sun!" and I can hardly wait!"


Sanjeev Shankar
Independent Design Consultant, FOAM

"It is raining in New Delhi today and I am on the phone with the Chevening Scholarship organizers who are fine-tuning my travel plans. Is this for real: the rain; the woman on the phone listening patiently to my address and flight change! I smile and silently congratulate myself and everyone embarking on this lovely adventure.

Unconventional as my life has been over the last four years, it has introduced me to some extraordinary people and this adventure is unique in its promise and hope. The pre-departure brief few days back made me feel humble and honoured. To be surrounded by people who in their own unique way hold the promise of inspiring an entire nation is a memorable event. In the radiant smiles and silent confidence of all, I anticipate a thrilling, enriching and dynamic journey which would not just inspire an entire nation but would catalyze our world towards a brighter future. I wish everyone the very best."

Shivendra Singh
Engineer, Engine Design, R&D
Bajaj Auto Ltd.

"I am EXCITED at the immense opportunities that my studies represent. I will be exposed to the frontiers of science and technology and the latest that is happening outside of India. I will be living in a diverse and multi-cultural environment and get an opportunity to make friends with students from places I have not even heard of before. I will be studying at one of the world's best universities and therefore have an opportunity to widen my horizon across a broad very-very broad spectrum.

So all in all I am all set !! and super-duper excited before I begin "a brand new chapter" in my life. My best wishes to all you guys. There is a somewhat brash catch-line, I read it somewhere, which goes like, "What starts here Changes the World !!". I think it is an ambitious statement, but in a way sums up what all of us should aim for."

Uday Garg
Analyst
Bain Capability Centre, Baoin & Co.,New Delhi

"Twenty days remain as I stand at the edge of an adventure. One so unlike and yet so like the adventure of my everyday that has brought me to this turn. Alike because success in this adventure will mean keeping my senses open to new sensations, keeping my mind open to new knowledge, and having the good sense to jump at every opportunity there is to widen my horizons. Unlike, because the chances to experience new sensations, absorb new knowledge and broaden horizons are suddenly multiplied and magnified a thousand-fold.

I feel sort of like Samwise Gamgee (of 'The Lord of the Rings Fame') when he says "That's it Frodo. If I take one more step it will be the furthest I've ever been from The Shire." Its thrilling. And more than anything else I'm excited to be going to the alma matar of J.R.R Tolkien- Exeter College in Oxford."
  

Venkatesh H R
Senior Anchor
CNN IBN, New Delhi, General News Channel

"My days are a haze of buying, packing and goodbyes. It seems like everything is on autopilot, although each day brings with it fresh twists of panic. If it's the bank on Monday, it's the dentist on Tuesday, and so mornings fade into afternoons and evenings. Amidst all this there isn't much time to think, but whenever the thought of the scholarship comes to mind, it's like the sun peeking out on a rainy day, which we seem to have had many of these past weeks. I feel a shock of pleasure, when I'm reminded again and again that I have the opportunity to study, what for me is the best course in the best university - for free. For a heavy guy it is almost unbearable, this lightness of being!

It's not about the money they say, but of course it is. Had I not got the scholarship, I would have had to think of a loan and then a job which would have given me the fastest means to repay said loan. But now, I am free to put together the building blocks of something that would be right for me, and by extension for my country. It isn't a coincidence that I find myself bursting out into thank you speeches everytime I run into someone at the British Council!"

Vishal
Business Solutions Manager
IBM India

"For me I am going to a beautiful place like Edinburgh and will be studying the most relevant subject today "climate change and carbon management"; so there is a lot of positive anticipation and I really look forward to a fun filled time at the University. At the same time I also am sad that I will be leaving my family behind.

When I talked to my sons this is what they had to say - The older one ( 7 yrs old) said " papa dont worry we will not miss you as I will think that you went to work before we wake up in the morning and you came back after we slept". The younger one ( 3.5 yrs old) said " I will look at your picture on the wall and call you when I want to" So its a emotional time for me and have mixed feelings.

But I am sure it will be time well spent with loads of new friends and a lot of learning. One more thing I am doing is some financial planning as I will spend a lot of calls back home and some fly backs."