Hailing from Maddigatla village in Mahbubnagar district, Ramulu D, Senior Associate, Centre for Analytical Finance, has come a long way and has achieved far more than he had ever imagined and is indebted to ISB for all that the School has done for him.

"I came to Hyderabad for the Indian Army recruitment selections during 1997-1998. I did not succeed, but I decided to stay back in Hyderabad and began to look for a job. One day in a newspaper ad, I read that ISB was recruiting security guards. I got selected, and in November 1999, I joined ISB. I worked as a security guard for about two years."

He fondly reminisces his days at the ISB office located in IIIT campus, Hyderabad, which then got shifted to Quiet lands, in Gachibowli, in 2000. "Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated AC2 - Level 1 and Level 2. Student Village 2 and PF 5 and 6, the gymnasium and the Wellness Centre. Mr. AB Vajpayee inaugurated the main building (AC1 reception)."

Ramulu was keen on joining the rolls of ISB. A colleague guided him to join the bookstore (within the ISB campus), where he stayed for ten months. After that, he worked with the merchandise store for a year, during which he came in contact with a staff member who recommended him to the Director, Admissions, who then referred him to HR. In 2005 he joined the Admissions team and worked as a consultant till 2013. To be employed at ISB, graduation was mandatory. "I decided I will do my graduation, which I completed in 2013. Post that, looking at his sincerity and commitment towards work, he got a permanent position in the Admissions department. "That was probably the best moment of my life in ISB since I had fought for it for a while, and I did make it finally."

Even the graduation journey was not easy for him. Not able to shoulder the financial burden of college fee, Ramulu discontinued his education. On knowing this, the then Director Admission at ISB sponsored his entire remaining fee. Ramulu hasn't forgotten a single person who helped catapult him. I couldn't have asked for more. I thank god for his abundance of blessings," he said, expressing his gratitude at the forces of nature. His eyes twinkled with excitement at the mention of his first-ever flight to Chennai, in 2017, for a PGP info session. His face beamed in pride as he talked about being given a cash award in recognition of upholding the values of ISB and being recognised for his attitude towards work.

Ramulu is different. He is an excellent example of those who do not consider anything impossible. He has crossed hurdles many would have tripped at. In his own words, "I have no big expectations, but when I am determined to achieve something, I move heaven and earth to make things happen."  Ramulu considers ISB as his lucky charm and dreams of his son to study in ISB one day.

- Ramulu D is Senior Associate
  Centre for Analytical Finance at ISB