From Asmita 1.0 to Asmita 2.0: My Transformational Journey at Vedica ~ A lot of ground covered, but still a long way to go..
"All growth starts at the end of your comfort zone," says Tony Robbins. This quote perfectly encapsulates my journey at The Vedica Scholars Program for Women, a program that transformed me from the shy and reserved girl I once was, Asmita 1.0, to the (moderately) confident, assertive, and empowered woman I am today – Asmita 2.0.
A Life Lived Rather Quietly: Asmita 1.0
Growing up, I was extremely shy and introverted and preferred to live in my shell. Words rarely flowed easily, and social situations sent shivers down my spine. Every parent-teacher meeting (PTM) until 10th grade was a familiar story for my parents – "She doesn't talk at all in class." Even greeting guests and interacting with them was a tough ask.
I was innately curious but expressing myself freely was a challenge during those years. All attempts at building my confidence, be it attending public speaking classes or encouragement from parents and teachers, were in vain.
Though I held deep affection and regard for my family members and friends, expressing it openly was a challenge. Misunderstandings, judgments, and constant taunts from relatives saying "ye toh bolti hi nahi hai" became a persistent struggle.
Moreover, my dad's transferable job necessitated frequent relocations – every 3-4 years, a new city, a new school, a new environment, and new sets of people. These moves offered valuable lessons in adaptability and embracing diversity. However, for someone like me who struggled with social interactions at that time, these constant shifts meant starting from scratch and building new social circles that felt increasingly difficult with each move.
I won't deny, there were glimpses of change. My 10th-grade results instilled a newfound confidence, and the importance of self-expression began to dawn on me which was further reinforced during my high school years. However, the pandemic robbed me of the college experience I had craved. Confined to Zoom meetings and screens, my desire to grow, connect, and explore remained unfulfilled.
The Catalyst
Just as I was about to complete my graduation, unsure of what I wanted to do next, I stumbled upon the Vedica Scholars Program, and it came as a blessing in disguise, turning out to be one of the biggest turning points in my life.
Beyond My Comfort Zone: A Journey Towards Asmita 2.0 - A Few Highlights
Vedica pushed me to challenge limits and step outside my comfort zone in ways I had never imagined. From staying away from home for the first time and managing everything on my own to embarking on my first-ever solo international trip to Switzerland during my "Shadow a Woman Leader" module, each experience chipped away at my inhibitions.
Stepping onto a stage for the first time as part of Vedica's first-ever production was a personal triumph. These experiences unveiled a strength and confidence I never knew I possessed.
Before joining Vedica, I gravitated towards comfort, rarely seeking leadership roles. However, witnessing many people in my batch struggle with solving case studies, I took the initiative and established a "Case Study Club." This club, designed to encourage people to come together and practice case interviews, became a success with 80+ participants. Leading this initiative ignited a passion for leadership, teaching me valuable communication, planning, and organization skills.
The rural immersion trip to Kesla while being an eye-opening experience, offering a profound understanding of the realities of rural women, also allowed me to foster deeper bonds with my classmates through shared experiences outside the academic setting.
Being elected as a student representative of the Careers Development Committee allowed me an opportunity to further develop my communication, networking, and interpersonal skills while fostering a sense of responsibility and initiative.
Additionally, the Vedica curriculum offered countless opportunities to hone my communication skills through various class presentations and assignments. The ingenious Peer Coaching Communities (PCCs), fueled by the power of diversity, helped me not only navigate complex projects but also get to understand my peers on a deeper level.
The program also offered a variety of courses on self-awareness and personal growth. These experiences provided invaluable tools to analyze my thoughts, feelings, and motivations. It was a period of deep reflection, allowing me to gain a clearer understanding of myself.
A Heart Full of Gratitude
As I reflect on my 18-month journey at Vedica, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people without whom this journey would have been incomplete
My deepest gratitude goes out to Anuradha Das Mathur and Pramath Raj Sinha for creating this extraordinary and life-changing program. Your vision to empower women like me to unleash their full potential and "be their better selves every day" has had a profound impact on my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the program.
To my incredible mentors, Eva Bouchoux, my Shadow Mentor, and Arpito Mukerji, my Program Mentor, Thank you for your constant support, encouragement, and guidance at every step of my Vedica journey and beyond. As Oprah Winfrey rightly says, "A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself." You helped me discover hidden strengths and empower aspects of myself and my personality I never knew existed.
A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed professors, whose lessons transcended the boundaries of textbooks. By sharing invaluable lessons gleaned from real-life lived experiences, they bridged the gap between theory and practice. Each of the 58 courses we went through was unique, enriching, and instrumental in shaping our understanding of both our professional and personal landscapes.
A big thank you to our Amazing Academics Team - Nandini Bagai and all our Teaching Assistants (TAs) ~ Prerna Gupta, Pushkar Sarkar, Moksha Agarwal, Srijan Butola, Aditya Megumi, Aradhana Gupta, Vidhi Sharma, Nivedita Chaturvedi. They were more than just facilitators of our courses: they were friends, guides, mentors, and cheerleaders. Their dedication, passion, and commitment fueled our journeys, and their personalized support was a source of comfort in the sometimes overwhelming academic landscape.
A special shout-out to our Committed Careers Team - Deepa Kumar, Ujjwal Batra, Medha Mukherji, Aanchal Sinha ~ who work tirelessly to ensure they get the best opportunities on board and that every scholar can unleash their full potential. Their guidance, support, encouragement, and unwavering belief in our capabilities fueled our confidence throughout our Vedica journey, particularly during the shadow module and the nerve-wracking placement season.
To some of the most inspiring and empowered women I’ve had the privilege of knowing, to the Vedica Class of 2023, thank you for showing me that "when women support each other, incredible things do truly happen." Each one of y’all have taught me something or the other and I’m truly grateful to have gotten the chance to share these 18 months with you all. There were highs, and there were lows but together we survived it all.
A special mention to those women from my batch whom I'm lucky enough to call my friends. Your presence in my life and unwavering support throughout this journey has been invaluable. I'm truly grateful for the bond we've forged and the memories we've created and looking forward to creating many more such memories together.
To my world, Papa, Mumma, and Ambika, thank you for all your support and encouragement, and for always believing in me even when I had lost belief in myself.
To everyone else who has been part of my journey ~ thank you. I’m truly grateful for your presence in my life!
While growth and transformation is a lifelong journey, I am glad I’ve embarked on the right path, and I can safely say that Asmita 1.0 would have been proud of Asmita 2.0.
"You can take a scholar out of Vedica but you can never take Vedica out of a scholar." While I may have graduated from the program, the memories created, lessons learned and relationships forged will forever remain. As I embark on the next chapter of my life as an Associate Consultant in Ernst and Young (EY)'s People Advisory Services (PAS) wing, I will always strive to carry the essence of Vedica with me every step of the way.
With a pledge to continue "being my better self every day", here’s V023017 signing off!
