Today I will bring you a slice from a friend’s life. We haven’t met much but feel a connection and wanted to know more about her. She is one of the kindest people i have come across. Introducing Priya Lohan!
Tell me key memories of your school time.
Whenever I recall my school years, my first memories are of getting up very early as we lived a far distance from school.My mother used to teach in a university, so we were admitted to the university school.We used to live with my grandfather (nana) at his farm house on the outskirts of a small town in Haryana and took a Rickshaw everyday to school which was upgraded to an AutoRickshaw eventually. I was called the “farm girl” in school as everyone used to think I lived in a village. I don’t remember making many close friends in school but it was fun.
What about College?
I did my computer engineering from Mullana .We were the second Batch of that engineering college. Ragging was one of the most coolest things in those times and our Seniors were bragging to show how cool they were. I lived in a hostel and made many close friendships there. We were a group of 12 girls who were famous for the pranks we used to play on other people.We still remain close and have a WhatsApp group on which we chat everyday, sharing ideas, looking for solutions to our problems. They are my biggest support system.
Tell me something about your career and what drives you?
Coming from a family where career was one of the main focus, doing well in life was very important for me. After completing my engineering, I got a job in IT and worked there for one and a half years before moving to Australia. After moving here in 2005, I didn’t get a even a single interview in my preferred job. I would apply for numerous jobs but no one would call me for an interview. I gave up and started exploring other options. One of my friends got me a job in a cafe in Newtown.
Then one fine day I woke up with the realisation that I was the worst Barista and had to do something else. I saw this job application for a teller role in a bank and applied for it. As luck would have it, I was successful and surprisingly I enjoyed doing the tellers job. I worked hard and in a couple of years I progressed to management. I am still with the same bank and I love meeting new people and helping them by listening to their stories. But what I love the most in my job is coaching people. Telling them what they are good at and helping them excel in it gives me a great satisfaction.
Share your travel diaries with us!
My dad was in the army. We used to visit him in summer vacations and travelled to a lot of places in India with him, some notable being Agra, Shimla, and the states of Rajasthan, Orissa and Jammu and Kashmir.
My standout memory is when we went to Srinagar. I was 10 years old then and it was the first time I sat in a plane. I had heard that the air hostess gives chocolates on the plane and for the entire journey I waited for that chocolate. Finally when we were about to land I got that chocolate.
Srinagar was beautiful. Very scenic! I loved the rivers and the snow clad mountains. That was and still is my dream holiday destination.
How would you define happiness?
To me it is the feeling which I have:
- When I spend time with my loved ones!
- When my kids, my family and I accomplish something together!
- When I am able to support and help someone!
- When we go on holidays as family!
- When I spend time with my friends!
Thank you Priya for sharing your experiences with me! I really cherish it.