Parimal Lokhande has made it to PGP course on his first attempt at CAT.
Parimal Lokhande (22), who suffers from cerebral palsy, is an exceptional student who has made it to IIM-A's flagship course, the post-graduate programme (PGP) in business management, this year.
Lokhande's success is all the more remarkable as, despite his ailment which keeps him tied to a wheelchair, he succeeded in cracking CAT on his very first attempt.
“I appeared in CAT for the first time this year just after graduating in engineering,” he said. Lokhande graduated with an engineering degree in electronics and communications from NIT Nagpur. He appeared in CAT immediately after and cleared it without attending any coaching classes.
“If you have a clear understanding of what you were taught in school and at college, there is no need to take any coaching,” he said. Lokhande got offers for admission from six IIMs, including IIM-Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata.
Despite suffering from a debilitating ailment, Lokhande never took the help of a writer during examinations. “It was difficult at the beginning but I was determined,” he said. “I have written all my examinations myself. I believe that education is the best form of empowerment, which is why I have made it a point to go for the best in education.”
He is dismissive about the cerebral palsy that he suffers from. “Disability is nothing but ignorance about our real ability,” he said, displaying remarkable faith in will power. “If you think positive, feel confident and work on your strengths, success is not far away.”
Being restricted to a wheelchair has not restricted him in academic performance. In fact, his achievements are far more impressive than that of totally healthy people of his age. He writes poems, is a painter and had even won a national-level prize during his school days.
Talking about his interest in art, Lokhande said, “I paint a lot. Most of my paintings are on abstract themes. I and a friend had started an art club called 'Iridescence Art Club' at my engineering college. The club still functions and it hosts a lot of painting events. It is now looked after by students who were my juniors at college.”
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