Traversing from a village in Satara District to Mumbai, becoming the first from his village to get enrolled at COEP in Pune and then landing with a plum assignment, Aditya Shinde has come a long way. He attributes his success to his positive approach and never-say-die attitude
He wanted to serve the nation in the army like his father Rajendra Shinde, but that was not to be. He was a bright student and secured 90% in his SSC board exams. However, he could not keep up in academics and failed in the XI standard. It was then that his life took a turn. He left his hometown Satara and after six years of hard work, graduated from the department of Instrumentation and Control, College of Engineering (COEP), Pune and was picked up by Johnson Controls through campus recruitment. His father, Rajendra Shinde, took up a job as a security guard in a company after retirement from the army, which enabled him to help his son pursue his academics. His mother Anita is a housewife.
“I am proud to say that hard work never goes waste, and that was evident in my life. The very first company that came to the campus picked me up for a job,” he says, proudly. It was tough to get into this company. Most students were pessimistic, but Aditya thought otherwise. “And that positive thinking made things easy for me and brought me the first taste of success.”
Born in a small village, Koregaon in Satara District, Aditya is the only son in the family and was often called ‘one man army’ by his mother, Anita. He moved to Mumbai for his Diploma and came to Pune to do his engineering from the College of Engineering, Pune (COEP). “I hope the youngsters move out of Koregaon and explore the world outside,” says Aditya. “My village was underdeveloped, and had low literacy ratio. I am one of the few from there to get into the best college. Life in Mumbai was amazing. I enjoyed every moment. Coming from a village, Mumbai offered a different life altogether. It enriched my outlook. Then in COEP, I learnt many more things. I would go for treks, parties, bike rides and night outs with friends. My trip to Manali during my last year in college was a dream trip. I also learned many things being a placement coordinator. I also headed various events in COEP.”
“To get placed through campus was compulsory for me and I achieved it. I proved myself with a positive attitude towards life. I always believe that everything that happens, happens for a reason. As I wanted to get placement through campus, I started technical studies from the third year itself”
“Frankly, during my last year of B Tech, there was a fear as to whether companies would be coming for placement or not. As the placement coordinator, my responsibility was to tackle it. I was confident that companies would visit. I wanted to prove myself at every opportunity. As I wanted a job to see my parents happy, to get placed through campus was a must for me and I achieved it. I proved myself with a positive attitude. I believe that whatever happens, happens for a reason. As I wanted to get placement through campus, I started technical studies from the third year itself. I would study in the Process and Instrumentation lab (virtual lab). I spent entire summer holidays in the lab. I participated in national level automation project competitions and worked hard with dedication. That paid off as I secured 5th rank all over India. This competition tested my mettle.”
“I always say, life isn’t about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself, and this is just the beginning. It is a good start towards achieving my goals. I started my journey with Measurement and Control with a Diploma and then took the degree at COEP. Currently everything is in control with the final jump to Johnson Controls.”
“Sanjay Limaye Sir has been my mentor. His approach has been the key to the success of many. He takes efforts to groom students for interviews and motivates them. My parents too have been behind my success. Then there were teachers like Shivaji Thube, S D Agashe, and my friends, Pratik, Deepanshu, Damini and Shubhada.”
Getting into COEP has been the best moment for him, the moment that changed him from a village boy to a city professional. “Admission at COEP was the happiest moment in my life,” said Aditya. After scoring 90% in SSC he took up Science in the XI standard at the Yashwantrao Chavan Institute of Science, one of the top institutes in Maharashtra. However, he could not keep up the same tempo in studies and failed in the XI standard. “I think I was distracted and my approach to studies took a beating. That was a big disappointment in my life. I could not face my parents and friends, but I took a vow to change my ways. My mother would often say, whatever happens, it happens for the good. I moved out of my village and shifted base to Mumbai to do my diploma course.” Although Aditya’s father was against the move, it was his mother who convinced his father. “I got into Government Polytechnic, forgot my past and took a new approach. As a result, I secured first class in Diploma and then I came to COEP in Pune. Then I decided to achieve something big in my life. I learnt a lesson, and the attitude of never giving up and my passion for everything in life helped me to become a different person. Hard work with dedication and consistency paid off.”
“Never live in the past and never worry about the future, always live in the present. Life is all about living with full satisfaction with whatever we have. Always keep smiling and become a reason for others to smile”
For Aditya, life is all about creating yourself. “Enjoy every moment of life. Never live in the past and never worry about the future, always live in the present. Life is all about living with full satisfaction with whatever we have. Always keep smiling and become a reason for others to smile. Serve the people and get blessings from them. Appreciate the beauty of nature, believe in God, believe in yourself, and success in life will follow. I have always seen myself as a successful person irrespective of what I achieved and what I am today. A positive attitude towards life gave me a proper path to be here in this position. I consider myself successful in terms of a satisfied life, maintaining good relationships, being a good person, and earning blessings and good wishes from others.
By Joe Williams
