Alumni Speak
‘My school ignited a lifelong love for learning’
The alumnus from Apeejay School, Nerul, calls his alma mater the foundation of his confidence and curiosity
He dons a hat with a multitude of professional expertise, and that makes him an all-rounder. Meet Anish Banerjee of the 2018 batch from Apeejay School, Nerul. In an interview, the 24-year-old gets candid about his plans for life ahead and his never-ending quest for success.
What are you pursuing now?
I graduated as a lawyer last year from the National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, and took a planned year-long break to prepare for the Civil Services. I cleared Prelims and qualified for the Mains stage. I’m now transitioning back into the legal industry and pursuing opportunities which align with my long-term goals and interests.
Share your most favourite nostalgia from school days.
This is a difficult question for me to answer because there are just so many memories to choose from. All I can say is that I thoroughly loved and enjoyed my school days. Whether it was playing football during the games period, sharing lunches with my friends or preparing for the Annual Day, those moments have stayed with me and shall continue to do so. I’ll always remember and cherish those memories.
Preparation tips for UPSC aspirants.
UPSC has a daunting reputation, but the most important lesson that I learnt is this: You have to enjoy the process. The results may or may not go your way, and you will have to accept that sometimes you won’t have control over the outcome. But what truly matters is developing a genuine sense of curiosity for what you study and developing a rhythm you can sustain every day. When you start valuing the learning itself instead of chasing the outcome, the preparation becomes far more meaningful and far less overwhelming.
What kind of avenues have opened up in law as a career?
The interesting thing about law is that its evolution closely mirrors the evolution of society. Today, I feel technology law is one of the most dynamic and interesting intersections of law, policy and technology to work in. With newer emerging challenges such as data privacy, online speech regulation or AI-related IPR issues, the scope of learning and contributing meaningfully is immense. It’s a field that is growing as fast as the world around us, and that is what makes it both challenging and rewarding.
What’s your biggest dream and goal?
I’ve come to realise that I feel the most motivated when I am doing work that creates real impact. That is what originally drove me to a career in law and policy and continues to drive me to give my best. While my long-term path is still taking shape, I do know this much: I want to keep learning and enjoy the work that I do every day, and I want to do good work which actually helps people tangibly.
What’s your biggest takeaway from Apeejay School?
The school shaped me into the person that I am today. It taught me to believe in myself and, most importantly, it instilled in me a lifelong love for learning. That mindset has stayed with me well beyond school and continues to guide me in everything I do.
