Varsha Shirali – A Mother, An Army Wife, A Dreamer, and An Achiever

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What is the first word that comes into your mind hearing ‘wife of an army officer’? Most of us would assume the word ‘fear’, but Varsha, a student of MAHE Online MBA – Batch 6, says ‘resilience’.

Varsha’s journey is a powerful reminder that achievements cross the lines of a certificate in a world that often measures success by degrees and designations. Her story is one of adaptability, leadership, and unshakable spirit to serve a role transcending geographies and limitations.

Serving Her Purpose

Leadership for Varsha is not authority; it is compassion and service through empathy. These values quietly fabricated Varsha’s life as an active member of the Army Women Welfare Association (AWWA), where she touched the hearts of over 200 people through consistent, heartfelt service. She has mentored children in various Army schools in Delhi, Shahjahanpur, Pooh Himachal, and Suratgarh Rajasthan, empowered defence spouses, and supported numerous families as the Director of Family welfare centres, through testing times. From skill-building workshops, lectures and talks on Cyber security, POCSO, importance of mental health, prenatal and post-natal care for women in rural areas, to planning and conducting various events for children in the army fraternity, Varsha’s role has evolved from a volunteer to a compassionate leader.

“Your energy is infectious, Varsha. You have made our community a better place.” – a fellow army wife whose words resonated with her.

She has hosted dignitaries, organized and led cultural programs, and spearheaded welfare initiatives – even while navigating her high-risk pregnancies and sleepless nights caring for her newborn.

Early Years

Even before Varsha became a mentor, an army wife of then Captain now Colonel, and a mother, she honed her leadership skills to carve herself a stage of impact. Her big moment, being chosen as the Vice Captain of her school sports team at LRIS, Brahmavara out of 288 students took her in disbelief. “Is there a mistake, sir?” she asked her PT sir, to which he replied, “No mistake, Varsha. You’ve earned this.” This vote of confidence helped her recognize her true potential. As she progressed to her final year of college, her aim was to become General Secretary of the Student Welfare Council. It was an intense interview with the panel probing difficult questions. Varsha answered the trickiest questions with the utmost passion and purpose. “You were the one we have been looking for“, said a jury member. Varsha gleamed with pride after seeing her name on top of the bulletin board with her new and well-deserved title.

Rancho Right Out of The Movie

When campus placements rolled out at MGM College, Udupi, the pressure was real. With over 300 peers in BSc Computer Science, the competition was cut-throat, but Varsha approached it with her usual elegance, sheer passion, and authenticity.

As the only student being selected in her entire batch, the HR who recruited her said, “You remind me of Rancho from 3 Idiots. You bring a fresh breath of air.“

Juggling Roles, Shaping Lives

Fourteen years later, Varsha is a mother of two—a nine-year-old and an 18-month-old. Both pregnancies were classified as high-risk, but Varsha, being herself, swam through these difficult times with positivity, determination, and grit. Her husband is now commanding his regiment in the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. She supports her husband’s regiment, plans welfare activities from home, and never misses a chance to uplift others. Over the years, Varsha has taught in five schools across seven states. She designed her own toolkit of skills – baking, gardening, anchoring, singing, crocheting, yoga, counselling those in need, and most importantly – mentoring.

Lessons Beyond the Books

Recently, Varsha walked out of an interview, disappointed for the first time. “You have tremendous potential, but you are just a graduate. You do not have an MBA.” These words lingered in Varsha’s mind. Varsha questioned herself, “Have I fallen behind?” But then she remembered everything she learned without the help of a formal post-graduation – helping, nurturing, and inspiring.

Redefining Education with Online Manipal

At Online Manipal, we know that learning is more than just marks and degree. It is about growth, convenience, and purpose. Varsha’s journey exemplifies the kind of a learner we call a – champion – someone who has lived and loved with courage.

Degrees open doors, but we also believe that your journey, experience, and stories already matter. We offer not only knowledge but also the advancement you richly deserve.