Daijiworld Media Network – Nagpur

Nagpur, Apr 19: It is said that hard work is the key to success. The story of Kollam native Justin Fernandez (27) proves the statement right.

Fernandez, a student of Indian Institute of Management Nagpur (IIM-N), has been offered an associate director's job and a pay package of Rs 19 lac by Hyderabad-based Value Labs. This is the highest pay package offered to a student of IIM-N so far.

However, behind this success is focus and years of hard work. Justin’s grandfather and father are tailors.

In an interview with a newspaper, Justin reveals that though the family got good business initially, industrialization and readymade garment business badly affected the tailoring industry and his family too was a victim. The family’s annual income was reduced to Rs 50,000 and ration through PDS was the main source of food.

When his father struggled hard to make ends meet, Justin’s aunt did not allow his education to be affected. She took care of his studies till Class 12 after which Justin joined B Tech course from Government College of Engineering at Thiruvananthapuram. Being a bright student, he received scholarships which helped him complete his graduation.

Justin then worked for a software company for two years and tried to crack the entry exam of IIM-Kozhikode to pursue an MBA but failed in the first attempt. In the second attempt, he managed to get enrolled in IIM-Nagpur.

Now, Justin has completed his course and very excited about his job offer that will help him improve his family’s financial conditions.