XII was a life changing moment. My dreams washed away like the waves on a sea shore. My marks were not sufficient to secure a seat in the Medical or Engineering colleges in Gujarat.
Based on my percentage, I enrolled in BSc with Physics as major, Chemistry and Maths as subsidiary. I was not happy with my BSc admission while most of my friends were in Engineering and Medicine.
I remember the day I enrolled for BSc. at the M.S. University of Baroda in 1995. And I remember the verse I got from the Bible “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”
During the first year, appa got a Kinetic Honda for me. I remember practicing at the Air Force ground at Rajesh’s place.
At college, I was known by “Einstein” apparently because of my fascination with Physics.
I used to go to the library regularly. I never studied subjects related with my course. Most of the time, I prepared for the Medical entrance exam but in the final days, there was a clash in 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 turn around.
To make up the lost time, I did combine studies with my college friends. Time was precious. With so many subjects to study, I studied previous years’ examination papers. When the results were declared, I was surprised to score first class. Praise God for that.
After the first year, we again had a chance to get into the Engineering College through the entrance exam. During the test, I had a high fever. When the results came, I was disappointed not to see my name in the list.
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 than the service at the Jacobite Church. I loved the beautiful worship songs by Nuns. It was during this time, I started reading the Bible.
In the Second year BSc, 1996-97, we had Chemistry and Maths. I didn’t pay much attention to the studies in my second year, thinking there was much time to prepare, but it was a costly blunder. I scored only 52% in the second year.
In order to join MCA or MBA, I had to score atleast 60% in the BSc final year.
In the BSc third year, 1997-98, we had about 7 papers in Physics. I remember studying in the Hansa Mehta library most of my time. I also started preparing for the MCA/MBA Entrance examination using the IMS coaching materials for CAT.
I used to visit the Shrine Church once a week at Fatehgunj, and pray there in silence. The church was located at a serene place, open throughout the day. Anybody could come in, pray silently, and go back. Before the exams, I used to do my last minute study there.
It was during this time, Princes Diana and Mother Teresa passed away.
In March 1998, there was a 3-day crusade by an American Preacher at the Polo Ground in Baroda. Thousands of people attended the meeting. I remember a man, who couldn’t walk, brought in a auto-rickshaw by his family members. While the meeting was in progress, the Hindu fanatics, VHP/Bajrang dal, started to disrupt the meeting. They came on stage and attempted to attack the preacher. People were instructed not to panic. Later, police took control and arrested the trouble mongers. The meeting ended before time with prayers. Few people came on stage to witness the healing miracle. The subsequent, second and third day meetings were cancelled in the Polo ground, instead they were held in a Christian School compound at Fatehgunj. I attended the meeting both the days. There were truck loads of security personnel. It was during this meeting, I received a Prayer Request card with Name, Address, and Prayer details. I wrote my prayer request for admission in MCA course and gave it to an Usher. I didn’t knew that card will change the destiny of my life.
My Prayer request card, went to a Pentecostal pastor of the Sharon church in Fatehgunj. Based on the address, he came to my house and prayed specifically that I should get MCA admission in Baroda itself. Mom and I were highly impressed with his prayers. Mom had a strong dislike for Pentecostal Pastors. At that time, I was ignorant of differences within the Christian denominations.
During this time, I also attended a crusade by Brother DGS Dhinakaran in Ahmedabad. We attended the final day event with Subodh and his mom, who were our neighbor. Although, they were from a hindu background, they had a great respect for Brother DGS Dhinakaran. They used to subscribe Jesus Calls magazine and give it to us for reading.
On the last day of the meeting, there was a huge sea of crowd, probably in lakhs. Most of them were non-believers. There was a minister/politician on the stage as the special guest. I remember his boring speech before the service started. After he finished his speech, Brother Paul Dhinakaran shared the message, followed by Brother D.G.S Dhinakaran. He called out names of the people during the prayer time. The atmosphere was charged with God’s power. After the service, there was a beautiful Alleluia song by a choir of 100-200 people dressed in white.
I remember the day I gave MCA entrance test in the M.S University of Baroda. It was a highly coveted course in 1998, with only 35 seats available, out of which 25 were for General Category. Candidates from different parts of India appeared for the test. For some, it was their second attempt.
I also took the MCA entrance test at Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand and MBA entrance test in Ahmedabad.
There was an air of uncertainty whether I will pass any of these tests due to limited seats. I was praying for a miracle. In the BSc final exam, I scored 62% sufficient to be eligible for MCA/MBA entrance. Praise God for this miracle.
I remember the day when the Entrance results were declared. I was in my study room with my face resting on the table in a very somber mood. At that time, Deepak Gupta came to our house and broke the news that my name was in the list of MCA candidates. The news was like an Oasis in the desert. I went to the college to confirm if it was true. I saw my name, ranking third in the list of successful candidates. Praise God for this miracle 
I also passed the MBA entrance test that I gave in Ahmedabad but I decided to join MCA.
To be continued….