Hard work is a gift inherited from my father. Inspirational? That word does not get anywhere near the extent to which he has shaped my life. My father came to this country straight out of India when he was just twenty-two years of age. Born and raised in one of the smallest villages in North India amongst a family of thirteen brothers and sisters, he earned his way into one of the top science and engineering colleges in India. His dedication to excellence and strive for perfection got him into some of the top universities in the USA, including MIT and Stanford. Unfortunately, his low family income did not allow this dream to become a reality. My dad ended up attending a third-tier university on a scholarship, going to school by day and working as a pizza delivery boy at night to pay for food and shelter. His success has followed the path he paved.
Today, my father is a leukemia patient. I guess all those years at the pizza parlor finally caught up to him. It is amazing and depressing to see someone with such a powerful background suffer as so. He is truly a self-made man.
So why does this make any difference in my life? Well, my father’s work ethic has carried over to me. I attempt to perfect whatever I do, and then take it to the next level. Meeting the requirement is never enough. But why? Why do I study hours upon hours for a Bioengineering exam when I could study less than half that much for another class? Why put myself through that extra torture? Because my father taught me never to take the easy route, nor the medium route, but not the difficult route either. Take the route that will make you proud of who you are, and take the path that will bring honor to yourself, both in the eyes of others and in your own.
I work ceaselessly to accomplish my goals. I wish to one day open a biotech company of my own that will provide medical resources to those less fortunate and unable to afford medical care. Everyday I open the news only to hear of inhuman living conditions and death for third-world inhabitants. These people need help, and I will provide it. So what is my biggest fear? Not accomplishing my goal. If I am unable to achieve what I have set out to do, who will help these people? However I know that with my dedication and passion, I will do something great to help this world. As the saying goes: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you don’t reach it, you will land among the stars”.
Why do I do what I do? Because I want to make my father and myself proud. This world deserves much better, and our every contribution makes a huge difference in helping ensure that the sun shines a little brighter for everyone the next morning.
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