This IIM grad sat in Varanasi temple at midnight to prep for CAT, used WiFi to access tutorials on YouTube

Hard work always pays off. And, it is a universal fact that there is no shortcut to success. It is only through sheer hard work that we gain life tenets such as dedication, determination, and discipline.

Great men and women, who went on to carve a name in history, have often been credited for their unswerving commitment and perseverance to excel against all odds.

India’s former President late APJ Abdul Kalam, one of the most cherished leaders, emerged as a prolific scientist. However, Kalam grew up in poverty and at a time when electricity was an unattainable luxury for millions. In his autobiography, he revealed that he grew up in a house with no electricity and how dim street lights became his companion for studies and paved the way for him to soak in knowledge.


This anecdote has been used by parents across India to reprimand their unyielding wards. However, in a vast all-encompassing nation like India, numerous gems emerge from various circumstances.

Shubham Shankar Dubey, who recently completed his MBA, from IIM Ahmedabad has a similar and inspiring story for the millions of graduates. Dubey completed his Masters in Business Administration on April 13, 2022. He took to LinkedIn to share his surreal journey.

Overcoming Hurdles
His journey was not an easy one as it was marked by numerous hurdles. However, Dubey overcame the obstacles making his family and friends proud. Dubey in his post said that the moment he was handed over the degree, it was a gush of memories, especially from the time while preparing for CAT.

The aspiring student said that he relied on YouTube to prepare himself for one of the most competitive exams. Dubey in his long post enumerated his struggles. He said that since WiFi was weak in the BHU hostel, he used to sit at the Shree Vishwanath Temple as it offered better reception for mobile data.

“The journey at IIM Ahmedabad was a surreal one. When Prof. Satish Deodhar handed over the degree to me, the journey of CAT preparation flashed in front of me. I prepared on my own and YouTube was the only "preparation resource" I had. In my hostel in BHU, WiFi was weak. To compensate for that loss, I used to sit at midnight in Shree Vishwanath temple, BHU where Mobile data used to be at its best,” Dubey wrote in his LinkedIn post.
Dubey also stated that his parents showed consistent faith in him and supported him throughout his journey. His mother, who has not studied much, used to sit with him while he studied for the exams. Dubey in his post credited both his mother and father for being his support, guide and strength.

The Pillars of Strength
“My parents believed in me throughout the journey and I am proud of my parents. My mother has not studied much but whatever I have done was possible only because my mother used to sit with me while I prepared. My father is the backbone of my family and has always guided me throughout my life. I dedicate this degree and all my achievements to my late grandfather Shri Raj Narain Dubey. I know that he must be proud of me,” Dubey stated in his post.

IIM is one of the top academic institutions in India and offers the best teaching faculty including renowned names in the world of entrepreneurship and global business. High-quality education under the guidance of renowned scholars offers students the best opportunity to hone their skills and move towards a fruitful career. However, the stringent admission process only lets the best of the lot gain admission into the premier institute.

The quality of education, the higher compensations, and the scope of entrepreneurship make studying at IIM a dream for many. Dubey’s achievement is among the countless stories that continue to inspire us. Hard work and determination, definitely pay off.