My College Days in Baroda – I

When the XII board results were declared, my dreams washed away like waves on the seashore. I did not score well to secure a seat in the Medical or Engineering colleges.

Based on the merit, I enrolled for the Bachelor of Science degree from the M.S University of Baroda.

I got this verse from the Bible when I was upset with my XII marks, “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, I was given a pet name “Einstein”, by my friends, 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 pursued my dream of becoming a doctor. Most of the time, I prepared for the Medical entrance test. But in the final days, there was a clash between the BSc and Medical entrance examination dates. I risked losing a year, which I didn’t want to take. At the last moment, I made a U-turn.

To cope up with my lost time, I did combine studies with my college friends. Every second was precious. With so many subjects to study, I focussed on previous years’ examination papers. When the results were declared, I was pleasantly surprised to score first class. Praise God for this miracle.

I started attending the Mount Carmel Ashram, a Catholic Church, near to our colony. Every Sunday morning, at 7 am, I would attend 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 the second year of BSc, 1996-97, we had Chemistry and Maths. I didn’t pay much attention to my studies, thinking there was much time to prepare. I became laid-back. I scored only 52%. Now, In order to appear for MCA or MBA entrance test, I had to score at least 60% in the BSc final year, so that the average of the last 2 years comes out to be min. 55%.

In the BSc third year, we had about 7 papers in Physics. I used to study in the Hansa Mehta library, which was a beautiful library with a large collection of books. During this time, I also started preparing for the MBA/MCA entrance examination with the help of the IMS coaching materials. In the BSc final exam, by the Grace of God, I scored 62%, because of which I was eligible to appear for the entrance tests.

I used to visit the Shrine church – a Catholic church, at Fatehgunj, once a week after my college, and pray there in silence. 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.

During my college days, I happened to come across a a big ad in the newspaper about an American(or some other country) preacher coming to our city, at the Polo Ground, for preaching the Gospel. I decided to attend that meeting. I think it was for the first time somebody from outside India came Baroda to preach the Gospel. I could be wrong, but atleast for me it was my first visit. Thousands of people came to attend. At some point in time, the Hindu fanatics from VHP/Bajrang dal started to disrupt the meeting. They came on stage and attempted to attack the preacher. Later, the police took control and arrested the trouble-mongers. The meeting ended soon, and there were short prayers for sick. Few people came on stage to witness healings they received from the Lord. The subsequent, second, and third-day meetings were canceled at Polo Ground.

They were held at a Christian School compound at Fatehgunj. I attended those meetings, both days. There were truckloads of security personnel. It was during this meeting, I received a Prayer card requesting my Name, Address, and Prayer details. I wrote my prayer request, for admission in MCA course, and gave it to an usher. That prayer request card changed the destiny of my life. It went to Pastor Babu Samuel of the Sharon Pentecostal church in Fatehgunj. Seeing my address in the prayer card, he visited my house and prayed specifically for MCA admission in Baroda itself. It was a powerful prayer! My mom too liked the way he prayed.

During my BSc final year, there was also a crusade in Ahmedabad, by Brother DGS Dhinakaran. I had always desired to attend his meetings. We attended the last day’s meeting with one of our neibhbour. Although they were from Hindu families, they had great respect for Brother DGS Dhinakaran. On the day of the meeting, there was a huge crowd, probably in lakhs. Brother Paul Dhinakaran shared the message first, followed by Brother D.G.S Dhinakaran. He called out the names of the people during prayer time. The atmosphere was charged with God’s power. After the service, there was a beautiful Alleluia song by the choir.

I had no interest to become a professor or a teacher by pursuing PhD. I wanted to join some professional courses and get a good job. I appeared for various MBA and MCA entrance tests. I prayed for a miracle from God.

Click here to read part II of My College days.