VISHAL KUMKAR
KC Mahindra Fellow Currently pursuing Master of Science in Computer Engineering, Cornell University, USA.
I was born in Mumbai and my family resides in the slums of Bhandup. My father is an auto-rickshaw driver and my mother is a housewife. I have three elder sisters and my father worked very hard to educate the four of us. Today, my eldest sister is an engineer, my second sister is a doctor and the third is an accountant.
I had aspired to join a polytechnic course in engineering after my secondary school education. Unfortunately, the fees for the course was over Rs.25,000, a sum I could not even dream of paying by myself. But thanks to the Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship, my dream of receiving a quality education came true. The scholarship helped me complete my Computer Technology course at Vivekanand Polytechnic in Mumbai.
I graduated as a state topper in Maharashtra. This fuelled my ambitions and I proceeded to get a degree in engineering. I joined VJTI for my undergraduate degree course in engineering. In my third year at VJTI, I was selected for an internship with Goldman Sachs, following which I was offered a full-time position. Working with a global investment bank was a golden opportunity but I wanted to pursue my dream of getting a Masters degree in Computer Science. Today, I am excited to start my course in Masters in Computer Engineering at Cornell University, USA. Being selected as a Fellow at the K. C. Mahindra Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad has made it possible for me to live my dream.
I thank KCMET for the priceless opportunities they provided me. They helped me realize my potential and helped me fearlessly move forward.