My College Days – Part I

Dreams Washed Away

When the XII board results were declared, my dreams shattered like waves crashing against the shore. I hadn’t scored enough to secure a seat in a Medical or Engineering college. The future I had envisioned dissolved in an instant.

Based on merit, I enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at M.S. University of Baroda. It wasn’t the path I had hoped for, but it was the one I had.

In those moments of disappointment, I came across a verse from the Bible that felt like it was written just for me: “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

I knew that verse was for me.

At college, my friends affectionately nicknamed me “Einstein” apparently because of my fascination with Physics.

I used to go to the library regularly. But I never studied subjects related to BSc course. I spent hours in the library, not studying my BSc subjects, but preparing for the Medical entrance exam. I held on to my dream of becoming a doctor. But fate had other plans. The dates for the BSc final exams and the Medical entrance test clashed. I had to choose. Risk losing a year or pivot. At the last moment, I made a U-turn.

To make up for lost time, I joined my friends for group study sessions. Every second counted. With so many subjects to cover, I focused on previous years’ question papers. When the results were declared, I was pleasantly surprised to score first class. Praise God for this miracle.

During this time, I began attending the Mount Carmel Ashram, a Catholic church near our colony. Every Sunday at 7 a.m., I would sit through the mass. I liked the Catholic Church service more than the Jacobite service. I loved the beautiful worship songs by Nuns. Their voice was melodious. It was during this time, I started reading the Bible.

In my second year (1996–97), we had Chemistry and Maths. I grew complacent, thinking there was plenty of time to prepare. I scored only 52%. That was a wake-up call. To be eligible for MCA or MBA entrance exams, I needed at least 60% in my final year so that the average of the last two years would be 55%.

The third year was intense. We had seven papers in Physics. I spent long hours in the Hansa Mehta Library—a beautiful space filled with books and quiet corners. Alongside my BSc studies, I began preparing for MBA/MCA entrance exams using IMS coaching materials. By the grace of God, I scored 62% in my final year—just enough to qualify for the entrance tests.

During my final year of BSc, I used to visit the Shrine church – a Catholic church, at Fatehgunj. Once a week, after college, I would step visit the church. The church was located at a serene place and was open throughout the day. Anybody could come in and pray silently. Before appearing for exams, I used to do my last-minute study there.

A Gospel Meeting That Changed Everything

During my college days, I came across a large newspaper advertisement announcing a Gospel meeting at the Polo Ground in Baroda. An international preacher—possibly American—was coming to share the message of Christ. It felt significant; perhaps it was the first time someone from outside India had come to our city for such an event. I decided to attend.

The gathering drew thousands. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation and faith. But midway through the meeting, things took a troubling turn. A group of Hindu extremists, reportedly from VHP and Bajrang Dal, stormed the stage and attempted to attack the preacher. Thankfully, the police intervened swiftly and arrested the agitators.

The meeting was cut short, but not before a few prayers were offered for the sick. Some people came forward to testify about the healings they had received. Unfortunately, the remaining sessions scheduled for the second and third days at the Polo Ground were cancelled.

The Prayer Card That Altered Destiny

The remaining Gospel meetings were relocated to the compound of a Christian school in Fatehgunj. I attended both days. This time, the atmosphere was different—truckloads of security personnel surrounded the venue, a stark reminder of the unrest that had disrupted the earlier gathering.

It was during one of these meetings that I received a prayer card. It asked for my name, address, and prayer request. I filled it out, writing down my heartfelt desire: admission into the MCA course. I handed it to an usher, not knowing that this simple act would change the course of my life.

That card eventually reached Pastor Babu Samuel of the Sharon Pentecostal Church in Fatehgunj. Moved by my request and seeing my address, he visited our home and prayed specifically for my admission into the MCA program—right there in Baroda. It was a powerful, faith-filled prayer. My mother, too, was deeply touched by the sincerity and strength of his words.

During my final year of BSc, I had the opportunity to attend a crusade in Ahmedabad led by Brother D.G.S. Dhinakaran—a preacher I had long admired and hoped to hear in person. We joined the final day’s meeting along with one of our neighbors. Though they came from a Hindu background, they held deep respect for Brother Dhinakaran, which spoke volumes about the impact of his ministry.

The crowd was immense—possibly in the lakhs. The atmosphere was electric with faith and anticipation. Brother Paul Dhinakaran opened the evening with a powerful message, followed by Brother D.G.S. Dhinakaran himself. During the prayer session, he began calling out names and specific needs, guided by Holy Spirit. The atmosphere was charged with God’s power.

As the service drew to a close, the choir sang a beautiful Alleluia song that lingered in the heart long after the music faded. It was a moment of deep spiritual connection—one I’ll never forget.

Click here to read part II of My College days.