Meet Geet Amrit, 25 year old boy who was born with “Spina Bifida”
Originally from Bhubaneswar, Geet is a graduate from IIM-Bangalore and currently working with a bank in Mumbai.
But this is not so ordinary as it appears to be.
Geet is Suffering from a congenital disease that affects the spinal cord. The disease that results in partial closing of the backbone and the membranes surrounding the spinal cord.
I am the believer of “3Ps of life”- Patience, Purposefulness and Perseverance – Geet
It was not his fault that he was born such way. Like any other child, he also deserved a childhood; he deserved happiness of life. He was lucky to have parents who loved him and brought him up the way he should have been. They introduced him to the world of opportunities and possibilities.
Inspite of being a victim of Spina Bifida, he is far beyond any normal child. Cracking AIEEE, he moved to Rourkela to pursue his Dual Degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Rourkela and Joined IIM-B in 2015.
Apart From Academics, he is indulged in co-curricular activities too. He completed his Diploma in Painting, Vocal Classical and Tabla, and have earned a lot of recognitions in various National and State level competitions. Recently, his sketches have been selected for an exhibition at The Brick Lane Art Gallery, London.
Lets know more about him in talks.
In Talks with Geet :
1. What actually is “Spina Bifida”? Is it curable?
Spina bifida is a rare congenital disease that affects the spinal cord. This disease results in partial closing of the backbone and the membranes surrounding the spinal cord. It slowly affects the lower limbs of the individual with improper muscular growth, damaging the nerves, lack of sensation and foot drop.
No, it is not curable but the adverse effect of the disease can be controlled by surgery and proper medical care.
2. How difficult it was for you to survive after suffering from the disease?
It was tough. Day to day activities were getting affected, but the disease made me strong. It made me more focused towards my goals. It made me more organized and helped me to adapt myself to what I call the “3Ps of life”, Patience, Purposefulness and Perseverance. Patience to deal with the challenges, life has directed towards me, purposeful to withstand the emotions and perseverance to achieve all my dreams and expectations.
3. What difficulties did you face? Were the people around you supportive?
I feel extremely privileged to have some lovely bunch of people around me. My family and friends have always been extremely supportive in every possible way that I can think of. They are the very foundation of all my academic and extra-academic achievements starting from my school, to NIT and then to IIM-B. The never-ending support from my friends and family members have always encouraged me to move ahead, in every phase of my life.
4. You have a Dual Degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Rourkela and PGDM from IIM Bangalore, how did you keep your passion for studying?
I rarely used to go out to play as most of the time doctors advise me to take complete bed rest. That’s how books became my best friends. Reading has always driven me to achieve more and more in my academic life. I cleared All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) and was offered an admission in the Dual Degree programme of National Institute of Technology Rourkela, one of the premier technical institutions of India. This selection made me more focused and I felt more responsible as for the very first time, I had to step out of my comfort zone, leave my parents and face the next phase of the life on my own. I graduated from NIT Rourkela bagging the National Fellowship from the Ministry of HRD, Government of India and featuring on the Director’s Merit List.
Management, as a field, had always appealed to me since it requires a combination of both creativity as well ability and this inclination urged me to join IIM Bangalore, one of the finest business schools in the Asia Pacific region to pursue my management education.
5. Apart From studies, you also have diplomas in Vocal Classical, Painting and Tabla. How do you manage all these things in one go?
At the age of five, I was exposed to music and art and that exposure slowly turned into a passion. I completed my Diploma and have earned a lot of recognitions in various National and State level competitions. Recently, my sketches have been selected for an exhibition at The Brick Lane Art Gallery, London. My love for art encouraged me in co-founding Canvas, The Fine Arts Society of IIM Bangalore, a dedicated platform for the student community and faculty members to exhibit their skills in the field of art and craft. I was also the founding member and coordinator in organizing the first ever Inter-IIM Art competition among the top four IIMs of India and the event earned loads of acknowledgements.
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6. What Keeps you so motivated though you are suffering from such a chronic disease?
Motivation always comes from quote like “Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, but Today is a gift that is why it is called the Present.” I love to live in the present. You can’t change what had taken place in the past and it is difficult to predict the future as well. So, it’s always better to stay focused on your present and make the best out of your present.
7. So Geet, What is your key to success? What message do you want to convey to the people out there?
There was this person who failed in his elementary and middle school examinations. While applying for college, he failed miserably in his entrance examination. After, three years in college he applied to thirty jobs and was rejected by each one of them. He even applied to Harvard University multiple times but his application was rejected every single time. He started two of his own ventures and both failed. But, that did not stop him in trying. He went on to become the richest person of Asia. The person is Jack Ma, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group.
Life can be cruel sometimes, but remember, it always gives you another chance. Always believe in yourself and once you start believing in what you are doing, you can make the impossible possible.