Chandramouli's IIM A Journey: Paralysis Shattered His Dreams But Couldn't Break His Spirit

IIM Ahmedabad is an institution that needs no introduction. One of the country’s most prestigious educational institutions, IIM A receives thousands of applications every year but only a hundred few manage to walk its corridors.

Among the students joining the premiere institute this year is Chandramouli - an engineer from Andhra who defied all odds, including a crippling paralysis, to land a spot at IIM A.

Who Is Chandramouli?

Hailing from a small village, Kothakota, in the Anakapalle district of Andhra Pradesh, Chandramouli belongs to a middle-class family. His father runs a small-scale business and his mother is a school teacher.

Chandramouli originally dreamed of being a mechanical engineer and consequently completed his graduation with a B.Tech degree. However, when he was preparing for the GATE exam, fate dealt him a cruel hand.

Chandramouli was retrieving a fallen ring from a shed made of iron sheets when he accidentally touched an electric wire. The tragic accident left him completely paralyzed in both hands and legs and he had to get them removed through surgery.

Battling Depression To Be A Magistrate

When his dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer shattered, Chandramouli became severely depressed, struggling to come to terms with his fate. As he shared with news organisations, for two months after his accident, he was unable to do anything. At the time, his friends and parents’ support came to his rescue. They constantly motivated him and uplifted his morale.

Spurred by their unflinching support, Chandramouli decided to once again take charge of his life. He refused to let his disability define his future and started preparing to become a magistrate.

However, while pursuing LLB, he got to know that he requires at least one hand to be a magistrate. Once again, his dream remained unfulfilled.

Designing A New Dream - A Manager From IIM A

Though life kept throwing curve balls his way, he remained undeterred and shifted his focus to CAT - the Common Admission Test for MBA. While prepping for the exam, he also worked on improving his proficiency in using gadgets like a mobile phone and laptop. He even landed a work-from-home job with tech giant Amazon because of his skills.

Ultimately, his hard work and conviction paid off when he landed a spot at IIM A. Chandramouli, who’ll join IIM A in June this year, now dreams of becoming a manager.

Chandramouli had to pivot on his dream twice but never gave up, charting a new life path through sheer grit and determination. His story is an inspiration to one and all.

Srishti Magan

Sr. Content Editor

I’m a reader first and a writer second, constantly diving into the world of content. If I’m not writing or reading, I like watching movies and dreaming of a life by the beach.

Updated On: 16 May'23, 02:55 PM IST