"Hard work is the key to success"

Want to become a writer at Eat My News? Here is an opportunity to join the Board of Young Leaders Program by Eat My News. Click here to know more: bit.ly/boardofyoungleaders

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I started my career in politics 6 years back. I belong to a very humble background. I'm the only kid of my parents. I worked as a normal volunteer in NSUI for 1.5 years, then I got nominated as Delhi State Secretary. After that, I won elections for the post of Secretary 3 times in a row from NSUI. Currently I'm the Media & Communications In charge of All India NSUI.

2. What is your idea of India?

When I think about India, I think of a place where people of all religion, caste, class live together with the feeling of brotherhood and peace. India is not just a piece of land, it is a place where people from so many different backgrounds have been living together as one from centuries.

3. What are some of the challenges you faced in your life and how did you overcome those?

First of all it was very difficult for me to convince my parents to allow me to go into politics since it is not considered an ideal career choice. Secondly, I am from a non-political family background, it was difficult to find a right mentor. Through continuous belief and persuasion I was able to convince my parents and find a trustworthy guide. I am glad that I am doing this.

4. How can we encourage the youth to join active politics?

Many misconceptions are prevalent these days regarding politics in the minds of people like people only the people from political background or millionaires can join politics, but in actual any normal middle class person like me can make a decent career in politics. We need dedication, hard-work, self-trust and a motive of serving the society to be good in politics. People will always demotivate you but you have to decide if you want to listen to them or yourself. Another well-known misconception is that people from SC/ST/OBC categories cannot find a good place in politics because no one listens to them but this is not true. Our Constitution has given reservations to such people to ensure proper representation from each and every category of our society. It's well said : "Losers make excuses while the winners always have plans".

5. Which is your favourite book and why?

My favourite book is Mahabharata because we can learn from Mahabharata that we can, infact we should stand/fight for our rights even if we've to go against our near and dear ones for that. In Mahabharata, when Arjun becomes doubtful of going against his cousin. Krishna tells him that we shouldn't hesitate to fight for the right cause which is quite motivational.

6. What impact do you want to create with your work?

For me, politics is a way of serving people. I want to ensure that the real soul of our Constitution i.e. to create a society where people don't discriminate each others on the basis of caste/creed/religion and all the parts of our society move in a synchronized manner with everybody supporting each other through all thick and thins.

7. What is the 3 top reasons why anyone wins elections?

The main 3 things required for winning an election or working in any other job/profession is Vision, Self-Confidence and motive of serving the society by having the feeling of empathy. Talking specifically about elections, winning people's heart and making a place in their hearts by taking a stand for their rights holds utmost importance.

Interviewed by - Anushree Jain