Varun Agarwal had more fun in his school than college. “Being a Cottonian was special,” declares the founder of Alma mater. Started in 2009, it sells customised merchandise for schools and colleges, including institutions where he studied — Bishop Cotton School and CMR Institute of Technology (CMRIT), Bangalore (telecom engineering, 2008). Alma mater (www.almamaterstore.in) products have been purchased by at least five lakh students, and Varun is hopeful of making a mark in Asian and European markets. While he had the time of his life at Bishop, college was harrowing for his mother, who had to meet his principal every week. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old INK 2013 Fellow managed to exit with a degree. He is the author of How I Braved Anu Aunty and Co-Founded a Million Dollar Company. He rewinds to the time when he was doing a course he hated from the start.
What did college teach you?
Nothing. No, wait, perhaps a little. I regularly failed and this failure taught me more than what passing could have. I learnt to be less fearful and built up the courage to take risks. Failing in something you don’t like is not failure at all.
What was your proudest moment in college?
I was quite unabashed that every week, my mum had to meet the principal, who used to rant to her about my adventures. On my graduation day, I was felicitated by the principal with the Best Achiever Award for the short films and videos I made. To have redeemed myself in his eyes felt great.
Did you have any embarrassing moments in college?
Many, besides my mum’s weekly ritual. Once a teacher made me stand up and pronounced that I had no future and that I would be stuck in engineering for my life. Now I have proved my detractors wrong.
How did you score points with the opposite gender?
There are very few girls in engineering. Because of the short films and videos I made, I enjoyed some popularity with the girls. But yeah, it would have been nice if I was spoilt for choice (chuckles).
Did you bunk classes?
A lot. I had only 40 per cent attendance. I paid a lot of money to my college.
Did you have any rifts with your professors?
My teachers hated me a lot. One of them even went to the extent of almost hitting me, but thought the better of it and dragged me off to the familiar office of our principal.
Where did you hang out with friends in college?
I had a gang of close friends and we mostly hung out in and around the college. The cafeteria was our favourite adda. Most of my hangout hours were spent sharing my dreams, ideas and passion with my friends. Even they were skeptical and advised me to focus on engineering to be safe and land a job. I am happy that I now get to do what I like.
What extracurricular activities you were involved in?
I didn’t take part in extracurricular activities as I thought it was a waste of time. I was already directing short films. I feel that extracurricular activities don’t particularly result in anything and it is better to focus on your passion and dreams.
— shilpa.vasudevan@newindianexpress.com