‘I’ve received the Dr. Stya Paul Memorial Scholarship for five consecutive years’

Dr. Ritu Sangwan is a senior resident at SGT (Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary) University, Gurgaon.  She has recently completed her Post Graduation in medicine and is planning to pursue her doctorate in the same. Dr Sangwan is an Apeejay Charkhi Dadri alumnus, part of 2009 batch. In an interview, Dr. Sangwan speaks about her struggles during the initial days at school, her hard work behind winning the Dr. Stya Paul Memorial Scholarship award as well as advises students to focus on themselves to achieve their goals in life. Edited excerpts:

Please tell us about your current work profile as a senior resident?

I am working at SGT University as a senior resident in medicine. It entails the job of a general physician. We deal with some of the common health problems of patients in the OPD, ICU or wards.

What was the inspiration behind becoming a doctor?

When I started school at Apeejay Charkhi Dadri, I was an average student.  I came from a humble background, my parents were not very well educated. So the upbringing that the school provided gave me a  strong push to do something good in life. The teachers were also very good and I was immensely inspired by them. So, I thought that I should take up medical sciences as my career. The first option is always MBBS in medicine. So after I completed my class 10,  I moved to Kota to start with my coaching.  After two years of hard work and determination, I secured admission in MBBS. I have pursued my MBBS and MD from PGIMS (Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences), Rohtak.

Time to rewind now. Please tell us about some of your best memories from Apeejay Charkhi Dadri?

When I started Pre-nursery in school, my academic progress was a bit slow. But gradually, as I got promoted to the higher classes, I started performing well. I studied hard and all the teachers helped me a lot. From sixth class onwards, students who stood first in their classes were awarded the Dr. Stya Paul Memorial Scholarship. I received the scholarship from class 6 till class 10. Unexpectedly, my academic progression improved. My teachers were all very proud of me. This is what pushed me and helped me to do something good in my life.

What are your future targets professionally?

At present, I am preparing for my Doctorate in Medicine. In order to pursue super-specialisation, we are required to do a doctorate in medicine. I am planning to pursue the same in India.   

What life lessons would you like to give to a current student at Apeejay Charkhi Dadri?

Always focus and believe in yourself. If you really want something from your heart and prepare your mind to achieve it, then nothing can stop you from achieving the same.

How did Apeejay Charkhi Dadri help you to achieve your dream?

It gave me every possible push in terms of personality, education and broad thinking. I remember, we had an interaction with Dr. Swaraj Paul. He visited our school twice with the United Nation candidates. I was in class 7 back then. It motivates me so much. Basically, I learned from everything that happened in the school. The current batch of students are always better than us in terms of having newer opportunities but they must use them well. They must focus on making goals and on achieving them.