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FAIL

E-cell IIIT Hyderabad recently conducted the inaugural edition of “fail?,” an event that has emerged from a brief hiatus caused by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. This event, much like its name suggests, delves into the intriguing and often uncomfortable territory of failure. It aims to illuminate the idea that failure is not an end in itself but rather a stepping stone towards success, a concept that is often overlooked or even feared in our achievement-oriented society. The event was launched with a captivating video that set the tone for the entire evening. The video teased the audience with the promise of a “bigger, better, bolder” experience. This tantalizing intro was not just an empty slogan; it was a glimpse into the heart of “fail?”- an event that aimed to demystify the fear of failure, making it something to cherish, learn from, and ultimately grow through. Our first speaker, Mr. Kartik Vaidyanathan Sir, an Assistant Professor at IIITH, took the stage, captivating the audience with his inspiring journey. He recounted the challenges he faced as a student, from academic struggles to personal setbacks. Through it all, he learned invaluable lessons that propelled him to where he stands today. His story resonated deeply with many attendees who could relate to the trials and tribulations of being a middle-class student with grand aspirations. His resilience and determination to venture into the world of academia despite numerous rejections and peer pressure served as a testament to the power of perseverance.

Albert Einstein once said, “We can’t solve our problems with the same thinking that created them.” Ms. Puja Marwaha, our second speaker and CEO of CRY (Child Rights and You), passionately echoed this sentiment. She emphasized that true growth comes from learning from our mistakes and preventing them from recurring. Blaming circumstances or external factors for our failures may seem like an easy way out, but taking responsibility for our actions and their consequences requires courage and humility. Ms. Marwaha challenged us to confront our problems head-on, recognizing that it is our confidence and perseverance that make us unique.

In the world of entrepreneurship and societal expectations, our third speaker, Ms. Janvi Tiwari, founder of SOQO, shared her compelling story. She shed light on the immense pressure faced by individuals to conform to conventional definitions of success, often driven by parental and peer expectations. Her journey illustrated how despite doing everything “right,” external factors beyond our control can lead to failure. Ms. Tiwari encouraged us not to resent the universe for its twists and turns but to cultivate the strength and curiosity needed to explore new opportunities and overcome these obstacles. Her story was particularly empowering for aspiring women entrepreneurs, whooften grapple with rejections, sexism, and resource limitations.

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear,” as Jack Canfield wisely reminds us. Our fourth speaker, Lt. Commander Vartika Joshi, epitomized this statement. She captained the historic all-woman Indian crew aboard the INSV Tarini, showcasing courage, determination, and barrier-breaking achievements. Lt. Commander Joshi discussed the intricate relationship between fear and failure, emphasizing that it’s possible to overcome even the most paralyzing fears when driven by a shared mission. Her leadership inspired her crewmates to navigate challenging waters and vast oceans. Her story served as a compelling reminder that embracing fear and confronting it head-on can lead to extraordinary accomplishments.

In a world where technological advancements are constantly reshaping our understanding of data and statistics, our final speaker, Mr. Ashris Choudary, took the stage. He is the brilliant mind behind “India in Pixels,” a platform that visualizes statistics using stunning visuals, shedding light on the intricacies of our country’s functioning and social constructs. His journey resonated with many, rooted in years of hard work, rejections, and missed opportunities. Mr. Choudary highlighted that failure may push us to our limits, but it also tests our resilience. His story illustrated the importance of persistence in the face of adversity and the remarkable outcomes that can result from it.

In summary, as Wayne Gretzky wisely said, “You’ll always miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Embracing failure and learning from it is the path to success, and our speakers exemplify this truth. “Fail?” has succeeded in demystifying the fear of failure and has encouraged us to cherish it as a valuable part of our journey toward success. It has reminded us that each stumble is an opportunity to learn, grow, and ultimately achieve greatness. So, as we leave this event, let’s carry forward the lessons learned and embrace failure as a friend on our path to success.

September 2023