"Before exploring the world of data, let’s explore the world of me – Anish Verma, an underdog."
I ’m Anish Verma, a first-year student at IIT Madras, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Data Science. I was born on 18 JULY in Bihar Sharif, Bihar, and had the unique privilege of joining IIT Madras on my birthday 18 July , making it a double celebration!
My academic journey began at Dr. KKR Gowth International School, LOCATED IN VIJAYAWADA , ANDHRA PRADESH where I completed my 8th to 10th grade. During these years, I focused primarily on Mathematics, which not only laid the foundation for my analytical skills but also The school, located in the southern part of India, helped me become fluent in Telugu, alongside Hindi and English.
In 11th and 12th, I moved to Dr. KKR Happy Valley School, located in Andhra Pradesh, where I Was introduced with two new subject Informatics Practice and a topic statistics in the subject Mathematics. It was during this time that I became deeply interested in programming, especially after my teacher’s advice: “To be a good hacker, you must be an excellent programmer.” This motivation led me to explore coding and computational thinking, pushing me further toward my passion for Data Science.
I completed my 10th grade with an impressive 92% and my 12th grade with an outstanding 93%, further reinforcing my dedication to academic excellence. I was also fortunate to receive admission offers from prestigious institutes like BITS Pilani in chemical engineering and IIIT Hyderabad in dual degree B TECH AND MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ECE .However, I decided to pursue my education at IIT Madras due to the high fees at the other institutes and my desire to focus on CSE and data science branch rather than any other branch . Now, as a student at IIT Madras, I am immersing myself in programming, mathematics, statistics, and data science, with a focus on honing my analytical skills .
I am passionate about bodybuilding, which I approach as a holistic pursuit, combining long-distance running, yoga, sprints, and jumps. Drawing inspiration from Sylvester Stallone, I admire his physical strength and mental resilience, qualities that I strive to integrate into my own life. As an athlete, I’ve achieved two silver medals in the 5KM Krishna District Tournament in Andhra Pradesh, and I’m motivated to earn even more medals in the future. Additionally, I’m deeply fascinated by Tony Stark (Iron Man) for his relentless innovation and commitment to personal growth, qualities that inspire me to continually evolve and improve in all aspects of my life.
My love for movies, especially Sylvester Stallone's franchises like Rocky and Rambo, also shapes my worldview. Rocky is the ultimate story of a fighter who rises from the ground to create his legacy, while Rambo represents the strength and determination to overcome even the toughest challenges.. Alongside these, I’m also deeply influenced by Tony Stark (Iron Man) and his journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Movie series like Iron Man, and The Avengers, showcase his innovation, leadership, and self-improvement. Tony Stark’s character drives me to push boundaries and embrace challenges, although I can’t deny feeling a deep sense of loss when he died in Avengers: Endgame—it was a moment that left a lasting impact, but his legacy continues to inspire me. These films inspire me not just as a fan but as someone who seeks to emulate the resilience, willpower, and relentless pursuit of improvement in both personal and professional spheres
Every Sunday evening, I dedicate time to watch movies, often drawing motivation from these iconic characters. In addition, I stay committed to a daily 2-hour workout that includes running, weightlifting, yoga, and sprints. I’ve achieved the ability to run 5 km in 19 minutes and have developed a passion for volleyball, thanks to my 6 ft height 3 inch
Despite being part of a cricket-loving nation, I don’t find much comfort in the sport due to my height, as batting requires bending over too much. Instead, I focus on sports that allow me to stand tall and proud. I also embrace a philosophy of personal growth and introspection, which means I don’t enjoy being in photos. For me, memories are best lived and felt, not captured in a frame.
"Philosophy of my life"
Throughout my life, I have adopted three core philosophies that guide my actions and decisions:
Never Waste Resources:
Whether it's time, money, energy, or even my body, I believe that every resource is valuable. Wasting any of them is a missed opportunity. This mindset drives me to make the most of every day and always look for ways to optimize what I have.
Resilience over growth :-
While the idea of continuous growth is important, I believe there is something even more powerful in rising from a fall. For me, falling and then bouncing back is what truly fascinates me. It’s not just about moving forward—it’s about overcoming setbacks and challenges, and that’s where true strength lies. This philosophy, perhaps influenced by Rocky’s resilience, teaches me that getting back up after a fall is a far more rewarding journey than simply staying on an uninterrupted path of growth.
3.Either I Do It Till the End, or I Don’t Do It at All:
When I commit to something, I don’t do it halfway. I am all in, or I don’t engage at all. Whether it’s in academics, sports, or personal growth, I believe in giving my 100% until I achieve the goal. Half-hearted efforts don’t interest me; I prefer to fully dedicate myself or step back until I am ready to go all in.
This is just the beginning of my journey, and I’m excited for what the future holds. As I continue to grow and evolve, I invite you to come back and see how my story unfolds. Stay tuned as I work toward my goals, face new challenges, and keep pushing myself to reach greater heights.