Village Lad Who Commuted 40 km Daily to Study in Ahmedabad Scores 82.5 Percentile in CAT, Bags Seat at IIM Shillong

Suraj Soni, a determined 20-year-old from Chaloda village in Dholka, has recently achieved a milestone many only dream of — securing admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong for the MBA programme starting in 2025. This achievement comes after Suraj scored an impressive 82.5 percentile in the CAT-2024 exam, a significant feat given the many hurdles he faced along the way.

Every day, Suraj would leave his home at 5:45 am to catch a state transport bus to Ahmedabad, travelling nearly 40 kilometres followed by a 4-kilometre walk to attend college and coaching classes. The long commute, often tiring, did not deter him from chasing his dream of building a successful career and starting his own business someday.

Coming from a scheduled caste background, Suraj’s journey is also a story of family support and grit. His mother works as a maid, having studied only until Class 2, while his father works as a peon and studied till Class 7. Despite the financial constraints, Suraj excelled in academics, scoring 82% in Class 10 and 86% in Class 12.

“My mother does household chores for others. My father is a peon. They have limited education but always supported me,” Suraj said humbly. To help with expenses, his elder brother took up a job paying Rs 12,000 a month to support his studies when Suraj joined HL College of Commerce.

Suraj’s ambition to pursue an MBA began after he saw posters promoting an event celebrating MBA toppers in the city. “It was like finding answers to all my questions,” he recalled. He enrolled in MBA tutorials at IMS with a special payment plan and reduced fees, but transitioning from Gujarati medium schooling to English for his bachelor’s was a challenge.

“To improve my English and general knowledge, I read newspapers, editorials, and books regularly. My mentors at IMS guided me well, helping me understand subjects and preparing me to confidently face interviews,” he added.

His daily routine was gruelling. After attending college, Suraj would head to his tutorials, take tests, and work on his weak areas with mentors’ help. Then, he would travel back home by public transport, reaching late in the evening before studying until midnight. This relentless schedule was fueled by his steely determination to reach his goals.

Suraj is now set to become the first person from his village and taluka to study at an IIM, a remarkable achievement that fills his family and community with pride. Looking ahead, he is determined to excel in his postgraduate studies and beyond.

“My first priority is to improve my family’s situation. Then, I want to help students who can’t study because of financial problems,” Suraj shared, his eyes shining with hope. “Eventually, I want to start my own business and contribute back to my society.”

Suraj’s story is a powerful reminder that with dedication, support, and hard work, barriers can be overcome. From the dusty lanes of Chaloda village to the halls of one of India’s top management institutes, his journey is a beacon of inspiration for many aspiring students.

AM.