What is your favourite motivational quote?
“A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor” – Franklin D Roosevelt;
Tell us a fun fact about yourself
I speak 9 languages and play 5 different musical instruments. I can write backwards (laterally inverted) nearly the same way I write normally.
If you had a spirit animal. What would it be and why?
I don’t really set store by one at the moment. If I were to have one, it would be a Phoenix (a mythical creature, but an animal nonetheless) because it symbolises every comeback I have had and will continue to have from moments of adversity and danger.
What is your favourite book, movie or TV show?
Going with book on this one. A tough choice between Animal Farm, 1984 (both by George Orwell), The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho), David Copperfield (by Charles Dickens) and Q&A (by Vikas Swarup).
If you could have a meal with someone dead or alive who would it be and why?
Tough question again. I think I would go with two people alive and one person dead on this one. The first person alive would be AR Rahman (Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winning music composer and director from India) to discuss his thought process when he composes music and find out what went into the composition of some of my favourite pieces of background score. The second person alive would be Rahul Dravid (one of the best cricketers to have played for India) to find out how he built his awe inspiring and meticulous work ethic which made him the successful cricketer he was. The person dead would be Alexander Fleming (discoverer of Penicillin, the first antibiotic) to ask him if he had wondered antibiotics would come such a long way and find his views on antibiotic resistance which is currently a major challenge in medicine.
If you could change one thing this year what would it be?
In my capacity as VP Education? Get maximum engagement from PG and international students with the Students’ Union and the University as they are significant stakeholders who feel overlooked.
Why did you stand to be an Officer?
I came here graduating from an institution which does not allow its students to unionise. Seeing a full fledged, professionally run Students’ Union made me see being an officer as an opportunity to test for myself if I could make a difference to the system. I stood in the elections in an endeavour to put myself out there and see if I could reach out to students and get them to rally behind pertinent education issues I believe are important to be addressed. I hope to have made some difference by the time I finish my year in office.
What are your top three tips for someone starting at Aston?
My top three tips:
- Make full use of the educational and extracurricular opportunities you get here.
- Stay active and engaged with the University and the Students’ Union. It will add more meaning to your experience when you look back while/after you graduate.
- Never ever hesitate to ask for help. Seeking help does not, and will never, make you inferior.