Success story Shweta Ratanpura

From registering for India Skills, with so much hope, to qualifying as the national candidate, it all passed by too quickly! I look back and realise it's been an amazing journey up till here. And it didn't just begin with the competition but starts way before, when I had no inkling of what 'design' is.

From enrolling me in art classes back when I was 8 years old, to supporting my decision of taking up design as a career after my 12th grade, my ma and papa always stood by me and believed in me. For this, I've wanted nothing more than to make them proud and happy. The first time I did that was when I was one among the top 100 students in the country who got selected to study at the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. NID shaped my journey towards becoming who I am today. In four years of my education there, I learned, I struggled and I grew not just as a designer, but as a person. From the faculties, to my friends, to the staff, everyone is a valuable part of the NID community and that place will always hold a special place in my heart. It was here that I got to know about registrations for the WorldSkills competition.

I was thrilled when I qualified to be a part of WorldSkills, a vast platform with such incredible possibilities. The full intensity of this opportunity only hit me after the National competitions had ended, and I had made my way to AsiaSkills Abu Dhabi - my first international competition experience. Just the rush that passes through me when I see my name next to the Indian flag is enough to make me work as hard as possible to achieve the dream of getting a medal for the country! I feel blessed to have qualified as the final candidate for representing India at WorldSkills Kazan; all the effort, training and selection rounds have left me motivated and inspired to work and train even harder.

With less than a month to go for World Skills 2019, I plan to focus on my areas of improvement to make myself better able to compete at the ultimate stage. I have partaken in several design challenges to push myself in addressing those areas and will continue to do so further on. I feel confident in my abilities and my only aim if to bring back a GOLD medal.

I'm thankful to my parents, my friends, and the NID community for helping me stand where I am today; Sathish sir for pushing me to train harder each day and MESC & NSDC for providing this platform. All the best to all competiors from the Indian team and let's hope to make India proud!