A job interview changed my life. As a school student, I had enrolled in the National Cadet Corps from Std VIII, and won numerous awards at the national level. In the NCC, I developed an interest in adventure sports, which later became a passion. I am also an ardent runner.

However, like any other engineering graduate [I have a degree in petrochemical engineering], I was keen to take up a job, and was called for an interview in 2001. The general manager of a famous petrochemical company, after learning about my hobbies and NCC background, told me I was best suited for the Indian Army.