The Choice That Shocked Everyone

Date: July 2, 2009

Time: 9:00 AM

Location: Jadavpur University, Netaji Bhavan – Admission Counseling Hall

The morning sun hung low over Jadavpur University, its golden rays filtering through the ancient trees that lined the pathways leading to Netaji Bhavan, the building where the WBJEE admission counseling was taking place. The air was thick with anticipation as hundreds of students and their anxious parents gathered outside, whispering excitedly about their future.

For many, this was the most crucial day of their lives—the day they would secure their seats in one of the top engineering institutes in the country. Inside the massive auditorium, a sense of nervous energy filled the air.

Aritra stepped into the hall, his eyes scanning the massive live projector screen that dominated the front stage. The screen displayed real-time updates on seat allocations, showing a detailed breakdown of every department, category-wise vacancies, and the rank-wise admission process.

The hall was filled with the top 2300 WBJEE rankers, each waiting for their turn to be called. The entire process was systematic—students would be called up in order of their rank, where they would confirm their choice of department and be assigned a roll number accordingly.

Aritra walked toward the seating area, spotting his friends Deep and Arnab already seated among the crowd. Deep was leaning forward, his fingers tapping against his jeans impatiently, while Arnab was casually flipping through the counseling brochure.

Aritra took a seat beside them. "Nervous?"

Deep let out a sharp exhale. "More like impatient. This process is taking forever."

Arnab smirked. "You say that now, but wait until they call your name. Then we'll see how calm you really are."

Aritra chuckled but didn't respond. His mind was already focused on what was to come. His rank—200—meant he would be called relatively early, giving him plenty of options to choose from.

Across the hall, the first few students were already being called. Rank 1, Rank 2, Rank 3—one by one, they walked up to the admissions desk, their choices flashing on the giant screen for everyone to see.

Projected Seat Allocation Board – Live UpdatesComputer Science & Engineering – 5/120 seats filledElectronics & Telecommunications – 4/120 seats filledMechanical Engineering – 1/120 seats filledCivil Engineering – 1/120 seats filled

The trend was obvious—most of the top-ranked students were choosing CSE or ECE. It was the expected path, the one that guaranteed high-paying jobs and global opportunities.

As the ranks progressed, the seating beside him became emptier, students moving forward, their names being called over the microphone. Deep and Arnab shifted in their seats as the ranks in the 100s began.

Deep exhaled. "It's almost time."

Arnab checked the screen. "You're up soon, Aritra."

Aritra nodded but said nothing. He already knew exactly what he was going to do.

Time: 11:30 AM

"Rank 200 – Aritra Naskar. Please proceed to the front desk."

A hushed murmur rippled through the auditorium. All eyes turned toward him as he stood up, adjusting his shirt before making his way toward the counseling desk.

The admissions officer, a man in his late fifties, adjusted his glasses as Aritra handed over his documents. He scanned them quickly before looking up. "Mr. Naskar, your rank is 200, and you belong to the SC category. You have priority choices in all departments."

Aritra nodded. "I understand."

The officer turned the monitor toward him, where the available seats were displayed. "We still have multiple seats open in Computer Science, Electronics, and IT. Would you like to proceed with one of them?"

Aritra didn't hesitate. "Mechanical Engineering."

Silence.

The officer blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I'm sorry, did you say Mechanical?"

Aritra nodded. "Yes."

The officer exchanged glances with a colleague seated beside him, a woman who quickly checked her records before whispering something into his ear. He turned back to Aritra, frowning slightly.

"You are SC category with Rank 200, which means you could easily take CSE, ECE, or IT. Are you absolutely sure you want Mechanical Engineering?"

From the waiting area, Deep and Arnab's heads snapped up, eyes widening in shock.

Aritra's expression remained unchanged. "Yes, I'm sure."

Another murmur spread through the hall. Few high-ranked students voluntarily chose Mechanical over CSE or ECE—especially not someone with priority seat access.

The officer hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright, Mr. Naskar. Your seat in Mechanical Engineering is confirmed. Your roll number is ME-0020."

The live projector flashed the update for everyone to see.

Projected Seat Allocation Board – Live UpdatesComputer Science & Engineering – 27/120 seats filledElectronics & Telecommunications – 19/120 seats filledMechanical Engineering – 2/120 seats filled

Aritra turned, making his way back toward his seat as the murmurs continued behind him.

Back at his spot, Deep stared at him like he had grown a second head. "Are you insane?"

Arnab folded his arms. "Dude, I thought you were just joking. You actually chose Mechanical?"

Aritra sat down, leaning back with a smirk. "Yeah."

Deep threw up his hands. "You had every opportunity to pick the most in-demand branches, and you go for Mechanical? Why?"

Aritra simply shrugged. "Because I wanted to."

Arnab shook his head. "I don't get it, man. You're not making any sense."

Aritra looked at them both, his smirk deepening. "You will. One day."

Deep groaned, slumping back in his chair. "I swear, you're the most unpredictable person I know."

Arnab laughed. "And somehow, it always works out for him."

As the next ranks were called, Aritra remained seated, watching the projector fill up with names and roll numbers, but his mind was elsewhere.

He had just made a choice that shocked everyone, but to him, it was the only logical path forward.

The world was expecting him to walk one way, so he had chosen another.

And in the end, that was the difference between leaders and followers.