Tough times don’t last; Tough people do

This adage sounds clever, almost cinematic and dramatic, until you meet someone who has lived it. Someone like Ekta Kanojia who spent years chasing a single dream to wear the Indian Defence uniform. She attempted for Service Selection Board (SSB) exam 12 times but wasn’t able to get through. Yet she hasn’t stepped away. Even today, she’s finding pathways to remain connected to her dream. And, while that remains a goal in progress, Ekta has carved her second story, a thriving corporate life, now working at SuperProcure as a Business Analyst. This is her quiet, relentless and bold journey

Years ago, in the quiet lanes of Ahmednagar (now Ahilyanagar), there lived a young girl named Ekta. She did not yet understand what campus placements were, nor had she heard much about the corporate world. But she knew the sound of ambition, as she watched her cousin carefully polish her NCC boots, stroke by stroke, with a quiet dedication. That shine stayed with Ekta. It lodged itself in her memory—a tenacity to get into Indian Defence forces at any cost. That is where her story and her longing for the uniform, truly began. “I am driven by a rock-solid drive, something I inherited from my parents,” Ekta said proudly, as she began telling us her story.

The foundation of her dream

Ekta was born in Lucknow, but her parents eventually moved to Ahmednagar, where her values took root. “I come from a very humble family,” she said. “My father runs a small laundry business, yet he always gave me the freedom to chase my dreams. He had only one condition—pursue your dreams with all your heart. I am grateful as my mother supported my dreams too.

Her grandfather, she added, was the one who instilled discipline in her. “When I look back, I feel thankful as my grandfather ensured that I stick to my roots and stay disciplined,” she said. When it came to academics, Ekta admits she was an average student. But, she also knew where her strengths lay. “I was always thorough with the subjects that I genuinely enjoyed, like English, History, and even a bit of Science,” she said. “My concepts were clear, so I usually managed to score around 70 to 80 per cent. It wasn’t brilliance, just understanding what I enjoyed.”

Tips to prepare for CAMPUS PLACEMENTS:

Don't be a part of the herd: When you are young, it’s easy to get influenced by what others are doing. Don’t follow the crowd; rather create your own path. For that, you must know yourself, understand your goals and your dreams. And, when you sit for campus placements, know which role suits you, the package, the city, and the job description. If everything aligns with your goals, only then commit to it.

Work on your communications and personality: Your personality is the first thing your peers and the interviewer notices. So put in your sweat and tears to build a personality that naturally grabs people’s attention. Learn how to communicate flawlessly. It helps in every phase of your life and shapes the way others perceive you.

Never give up: Life can be tough, no doubt. But once you’ve made up your mind and set your eyes on a goal, that’s already one battle won. You may falter along the way—you may fall but never give up.

Prepare from day one: A goal worth chasing is never achieved overnight. It demands patience, steady effort, and the discipline to prepare from the very first day.

An ode to my country

As Ekta turned toward her first love, the Indian Defence Forces, she prepared for the exams with a seriousness only a few can sustain. “I gave a total of twelve attempts in Service Selection Board (SSB) exams,” she said as her voice carried more hope than dejection. She kept trying, attempt after attempt, driven by a dream that refused to fade.

When eventually clearing her SSB exam, where she was at the cusp of achieving her dream, she watched the chance slip away due to some technical difficulties. “The vacancies were less. So, that was my last and twelfth attempt. I had also crossed the age limit for the exam. So, I don't have any more attempts left as of now. After the first year, I focused on the remaining part of the MBA. I pursued an internship at Times of India in Chandigarh for two months in my first year.” For many, that would have been the end. But Ekta’s loyalty was never to a rank or a title.

Ekta admits she has learnt more from those attempts than from any success. “I learnt patience, resilience, and I realised that my love for my country is bigger than any setback. Twelve attempts teach you very quickly that the world owes you nothing. You just have to keep showing up,” she added.

Even today, long after the official path has ended, Ekta remains connected to the defence world through veterans, support groups, mentorship, and a personal promise to live by the values she once hoped to wear on her sleeve.

" My father runs a small laundry business, yet he always gave me the freedom to chase my dreams. He had only one condition—pursue your dreams with all your heart. I am grateful as my mother supported my dreams too. "

— Ekta Kanojia

Her corporate turn

Post her graduation in Bachelor of Computer Application from Bhaskar Pandurang Hivale Education Society (B.P.H.E.S.) Ahmednagar College, she quickly got placed with Tech Mahindra. That’s where she began to carve her path to corporate success. Talking about her experience there, she said, “I learnt how large teams move, how projects evolve, and how people navigate pressure with a mix of discipline and humour. I discovered my strengths of communication, clarity, and the ability to bring people together. It was my first real window into the working world.” Post that, she moved to Pune to pursue her MBA in marketing.

Talking about her campus placement journey, she recalled “I put in extra effort for the aptitude round. I began by understanding my likes and dislikes, narrowing down the companies that genuinely fit my goals, then studying them closely. What set me apart was the small personal touch in the way I introduced myself.” None of it happened overnight. She showed up every day – steady and persistent. And, that’s how she landed with SuperProcure.

With SuperProcure, Ekta is growing into something promising. And, true to her spirit, she hasn’t let go of her old dream. “I’ll keep trying for the Territorial Army (A reserve force comprised of part-time volunteers who provide support services to the Indian Army). The chances are slim, but I won’t give up,” she said with a firm voice. She has been quiet yet determined-the nation could use more people like her.