What Certificate?

We are in our final semester of college, sweating it out to figure where we’re headed next, counting the days we have left here and dreading every passing day. We find ourselves in a very uncomfortable state of mind, especially considering how well we had settled in the past three years. As I fall prey to mixed emotions and look back to identify my greatest takeaway, learning and experience, I’d give the complete and absolutely unexaggerated credit to my time at Enactus SRCC.

I remember walking past Room 1 nonchalantly on an August morning a few years back as I was interrupted, and a little amused, by how the room was brimming with people, the crowd spilling out of the windows and doors, and many more observing the proceedings from outside.I stood on my toes to steal a peek of what the fuss was all about. It was the Enactus SRCC Orientation, and it was something I had heard about for the very first time. Reasonably impressed and appropriately intrigued, I appeared for the interview – with a runny nose and a burning forehead. Whether it was the constant, distracting sneezes or the absent minded answers that managed to strike some chord right, I could never tell, but some lucky (probably, sympathetic) judgement led to my acceptance as team member. Little did I know, that something I chanced upon so unknowingly, would go on to become such a treasured bundle of memories.

I remember my first footsteps into the curiously meandering lanes of Kathputli Colony, spellbound by the colours and the conversations. I remember the wrinkled hands of that woman in Nekpur firmly placed on my head, to bless me with all heart in our very first encounter. I remember my heart warming to the idea of the organization, but my mind desperately trying to find my purpose and intent in this 60 odd member team.

I remember the clueless inhibitions being put to rest by our seniors whotirelessly repeatedthe facts of the projects for our thick skulls to absorb, get inspired and act. I remember the zeal with which we, total rookies to the whole concept, pounced upon the first chance to visit the communities, dispatch any material ormeet the who’s who, photographs of whom we’d only seen in print before.I remember unthinkingly choosing meetings over classes and forgetting to eat lunch during eight hour long visits.I remember the excitement of getting to share our visiting cards the first time and arguing over the tiniest situations to feel a sense of belonging. I remember lost roads that ended up at the right destinations and staying glued to the phone planning work and visits, while my parents taunted me for “not having any time for anything else”. I remember the first time the community called me to communicate an issue, and the jovial relationship we fostered hence. I remember standing tall – shoulders back, chin up and fingers trembling – trying to explain the magnitude and quality of our work to a crowd that was predominantly alien and intimidating, but was peppered with the enthusiastic, encouraging smiles of our team members who had worked painstakingly all year to produce those kind of results. Smiles, so wide and bright, that every word I spoke was infused with a pride that was rather difficult to withhold behind that mike. I remember the year ending on the realization that I had met people of real substance, who were sure to inspire me for a long time to come. First year made us more sensitive to the numerous challenges around us and ignited in us the passion to improve lives, to work hard and to celebrate the experience.

I remember stepping into second year – nervous, but resolute. EnactusSRCC was no more to be a carousel – it was time to take on the roller coaster! The organization was now our responsibility, with expectations thrust upon us by our communities, our seniors and even, our juniors, and only building with time. No more casual chatter about the work, but the time to perform and excel.I remember working out a professional personality so I’d get work done. I remember baring a composed exterior, when my insides were screaming in confusion. I remember conversation after conversation leading to intense discussion, and having to make sense of conflicting opinions, while always remembering how every opinion was directed to the same goal. I remember the “Never mind, we tried” moments, just as well as I do the “Eureka” moments. I remember the transition from second guessing every decision to spontaneously reaching common conclusions. I remember it being a year of prolonged periods of disappointment, quick flashes of achievement and a constant journey of discovery. Second year was some tough decisions and worried nights but second year helped us see the more real side to an organization like Enactus SRCC, that wasn’t all roses and candy like first year, but that helped us gain a much better understanding of ourselves, our strengths and our shortcomings.

Unsurprisingly, third year left most of us battling an existential crisis. Despite having passed on the baton, it is overwhelming to come to terms with the fact that we have to now let go of something that completely occupied our mind space over time and taught us such hard and lasting lessons. Enactus SRCC helped us all in our unique ways – for some, it was about gaining the confidence to speak their mind, while for others, it was about channeling their intellect towards bringing real change. Some of us learnt to accept our mistakes and grow from them, and some others learnt to appreciate differing opinions and value them well. Regardless of the individual role we played, we all have our reasons for always remembering this organization to be one that touched our lives, and changed it.

I often find myself wondering what it is that makes our experience at Enactus SRCC so close to the heart.Is it the quality of work we are exposed to? Or the communities we empower? Is it the fantastic opportunities for self-development that we encounter? Or the inspiring industry people we meet? Sure, all of them in varying proportions, for each of us. But the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that at the end of the day, what makes Enactus SRCC stand out from the rest, is the team that makes it. The people, who stood united, driven and supportive through all the bumps and who laughed, cried and hugged in the victories. Each person working at this organization carries with them an individuality that is difficult to tarnish, creating an atmosphere of nothing but mutual respect and admiration that makes working at Enactus SRCC, a hobby more than a task. And that’s what I’ll miss the most about the organization. I’ll always think of it as the organization with a team who settled for nothing short of excellence.

Written by Mihika Sharma