Alumni’s biography :: Sweta Kumari

Name: Sweta Kumari
Batch: 2002 to 2009
School roll: 411

House: Shivalik
Current address: Asian University for Women
                         20/A, M.M. Ali Road
                         Chittagong, Bangladesh 
Phone: +91 9650549040 
           +880 1979090072

Email: sweta411@gmail.com

Current status: Currently, I am an Undergraduate student in Asian University for Women in Bangladesh. I will be majoring in (will get my bachelors) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. I know, it sounds weird that I am in Bangladesh for studies. Whoever comes to know about it says, Tum to ulti Ganga baha rahi ho, Sab log BD se India aate hai padhne. But, I am here because I was offered a full scholarship for my studies till masters which contains food, lodging and yearly travel expenses. In addition, I have a part time job which is paid by the university, though little, it’s enough for my pocket money. Another reason, it is an International University which has students from all over Asia and which promises a world class education along with a great exposure for students.

Life after JNV (what I am doing right now):   It was so boring for the first 5 months and I missed JNV a lot. I would dream about it frequently. Then, I got selected for AUW and I joined this university in august 2009. And the interesting thing is that at my university most of the Indians are Navodayans, but all from different branch of Navodaya, so it’s again a Navodayan community. However, I still miss JNV Bokaro.
Most memorable memories of JNV for me: To be honest, every day at JNV was memorable in some way, but I am sharing few of them.

• The fun we had in class such as teasing classmates, fighting with them, especially with boys, I was well known for that.
• When I look back at JNV days, I particularly regret about my behavior. I was rude to seniors, loud with juniors, and mean to classmates. I did not realize that then and a part of that was that we were still young. Now, I have changed a lot in that sense and I apologize to everyone whoever I might have hurt.
• Those exam days and pre-boards where all of us would be too tensed and nervous. Obviously we studied only before exam days but managed to pass. The intensity of bell-ring would increase during those days at the Hanuman Ji Temple. I miss the exam days where juniors would take extra care of us. Teachers would put Tilak and bless us for good luck. Such, exam dene me ab vaisa maja nahi aata.
• Living in those big dorms. We did not have personal life there. Whatever was there was together, with friends. We would stay up the whole night and talk. I miss that now where people stick into their own rooms and like to spend time on internet rather than talking face to face.
• Everything happened as a ritual. If one is doing something, others would do the same especially in girl’s hostel. For example, I had fast for the first time for Shivratri pooja in 8^th class, not because I was so devoted to God Shiva, but because everyone was doing so. There used to be seasons for doing things such as, autograph season, Mehndi season, photography season and so on.
• I miss my group badly, some Shivalik and Arawali classmates. They would fight for me with everyone, with boys, with seniors, with classmates. Did not matter whether I was right or wrong, they would support me. They were my strength. Kabhi kabhi to mai ladai se bahar ho jati par meri friends use continue rakhti thi.

There are so much more to say, but I would stop myself here because I do not want people to feel bored.

Things I miss the most about JNV:

There are a whole list of things: 

• First of all, I miss my boy classmates of JNV. I did not like them when I was there, and there were reasons too for that, but of course they were great (at least some of them). They did add fun in JNV life, I have to admit that.
• I miss morning assembly, though it used to be boring and long in the scorching sun.   
• I miss morning PT, I know most of you would hate it. I hated it too, but even with the fear of PT Mam I did some exercise that I don’t do anymore and I am getting fat.
• I miss morning PT, I know most of you would hate it. I hated it too, but even with the fear of PT Mam I did some exercise that I don’t do anymore and I am getting fat.
• Like others, I too miss cultural program and sports. The practice would go too long that before the final event most of the singers would lose their voices and the dancers would get sick. Anyways, we would perform and then shout back after the program.

Things I won't miss about JNV (at least no so much):

•  I won’t miss house Mistresses much because we never developed strong relations. Even after staying with them for 7 years the relationship between the students and house mistresses was not good. I really feel that should be improved from both sides.

One thing I would change about our school, if given a chance: 

• Would change the spoon-feeding curriculum and develop something that would give students more independence and personal responsibility, at least for the senior classes.
• I would try to improve junior-senior relations so that they can work as a whole student body, not in separate groups, for the betterment of students  themselves and for the institution’s mission.
• I would like to change the attitudes of JNV teachers, of which most show favoritism and bias.

Things that JNV taught me and I am grateful for: I am grateful for the friends I got at JNV especially for my best friend. I am particularly thankful towards Principal Sir, Dr. D. K. Modi, who helped me and my family in many ways. I learned to be responsible and disciplined in Navodaya. I developed a habit of getting up early in the morning which is very helpful now, thanks to Morning PT. I developed self-confidence from being house-captain and school captain. These leadership positions helped me to be daring and be confident to walk in the front, to speak in front of hundreds of audiences, and to meet people without a slightest feeling of inferiority. If I am in a position to pay back even slightly to JNV, I would be more than happy to do that.


Near future goals I am working on and how: After my bachelors, I will go to a business school for my masters in business studies. I really want to go to either USA or to IIM (India) for masters. I have not planned for my PHD yet because I am not sure if I am that passionate and committed for it. I am learning how to apply for a US university and how get someone to pay for it. My trip to Stanford was part of it and I am making contacts with many people who can help me in that.


Lines from me to my lovely juniors (still in JNV): I would advice my juniors to think out of box. What most of the students do is go for either engineering or for medical. There are lots of other professions that you can choose, at least think about that. Go for what you are really passionate about and where you can put your best effort. While, I completely understand that professional jobs are important in a developing country like India, there are other options too, and the rest you have already watched in “Three Idiots.”

Especially for senior students: Another piece of advice is that you should take responsibility of your future and your life and don’t wait for people to come and tell you what to do. You will have to go and look for people who can help you. Ask questions, be curious and empower yourselves with knowledge.

Last but not least, be a leader in whatever you do. Strive for best and enjoy what you do.