Sajan Kumar Jaiswal’s story begins in a village, in a small kirana shop run by his father, and in a home shared by seven people, each carrying their own set of responsibilities. But when you look closely, what stands out is not where he started, but how consistently he has moved forward.
Sajan’s journey has been shaped by merit-based selections that opened doors he could not have accessed otherwise. In Class 5, he earned admission into Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, where he received seven years of free residential education. That environment became the foundation for both his academic discipline and his exposure to a wider world.
His curiosity for science translated into action early on. He was selected for ISRO’s YUVIKA program, a highly competitive 15-day residential initiative where only 152 students were chosen from nearly 98,000 applicants. At the URSC Bengaluru center, he experienced space science beyond textbooks, working around real equipment and understanding how theory connects to application. He also continued exploring innovation, earning recognition in a Space Kidz India competition and securing Rank 1 at a regional science exhibition for his project.
Alongside academics, Sajan stayed actively involved in sports, representing his school at the regional level in badminton and cricket through Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti competitions. He later strengthened his academic preparation through the Dakshana Foundation’s two-year JEE coaching program, another opportunity earned through merit.
But Sajan’s story cannot be understood without acknowledging the realities at home. His father remains the sole earning member, running a small shop that supports the entire family. Financial strain has been constant, especially after loans taken for family responsibilities. These challenges are not distant concerns for Sajan, they are part of his daily life, shaping both his priorities and his sense of responsibility.
Despite this, he has continued to contribute beyond himself. As a member of the National Service Scheme, he has worked in village communities during festivals, supported cleanliness drives, and participated in awareness campaigns. He has also been part of blood donation initiatives, stepping in where help was needed.
Receiving the Shiksha Sankalp Lakshya Scholarship is a meaningful step in Sajan’s journey. It does not change his circumstances overnight, but it gives him something equally important, stability to continue his education without adding to the pressure at home.
Sajan does not speak in big promises about the future. What he expresses instead is simple and grounded. He wants to keep learning, build skills, and work on solving real problems. Whether through electronics or technology, his goal is to apply what he learns in ways that are useful and practical.
There is a quiet clarity in that approach. And perhaps that is what defines Sajan best, not a single achievement, but the steady way in which he has built his path so far.
AI & Data Science at M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Mathikere, Karnataka
