Prakash Shah
I was born in a small village in India in 1966, the middle of three brothers. My father, once a student himself, had to abandon his education to manage our mango farm after my grandfather’s health began to decline. Though he couldn’t complete his own academic journey, he was deeply committed to ensuring his children would.
In school, I often topped the class. With little competition around me, I began to equate good ranks with intelligence. I loved sports, playtime, and entertainment far more than textbooks — and because there wasn’t much pressure, I never truly learned the value of hard work.
Most of my classmates came from farming families or small shop-owning households where education wasn’t a priority. As I moved away from the village to pursue higher studies, I encountered tougher competition — and for the first time, my ranks slipped. I wasn’t ready. Having grown up in a relatively effortless system, I had become carefree and directionless. Gradually, I accepted mediocrity.
One year, my performance was so poor that I had to be promoted with grace marks. That moment was a wake-up call. It forced me to reflect on the path I was on. I realized that the upcoming years would shape the course of my life, and I couldn’t afford to drift anymore.
With renewed focus and determination, I began to study sincerely. I dissected each topic, practiced relentlessly, and made sacrifices that finally brought the results I was capable of. It was a turning point.
Looking back, I often wonder: What if I had received the right guidance earlier? What if someone had shown me the path when I needed it most?
That question became my mission.
Today, I visit schools and hostels to talk to students — to be the voice I once needed. These sessions have been transformative, not just for the students, but for me as well. And yet, I realized I could only reach so many in person.
This book was born out of that limitation — and that dream.
I wrote Your Passport to HMT to speak directly to students, especially those who may not have access to mentors. It's written like a conversation — filled with questions, answers, and stories — as if I were right there in the classroom, guiding them toward a better, fuller life.
