September 22, 2025

A group of young people stood outside the University Offices, loudly expressing their sadness and frustration. None of them had been accepted into the courses they wanted. Everyone blamed bad luck or the difficult environment for their failures and long unemployment. Nearby, an old gentleman listened quietly, then suddenly stood up and spoke to the youths. He said, "I am sure you feel your complaints are well-founded, but, why compete at a level where the seats are all bound to be taken already? That will get you nowhere." He told them the secret: aim for the top. "You should attempt to enter at the top, for that is where you will find the vacant seats. Produce distinctive qualifications and there will be no question of your being rejected. There are always places at the top for people of merit." The old man explained that no matter your profession — student, businessman, lawyer, or doctor — trying to be special and impressive in your field is the sure way to success. "Even if it is only something like a mousetrap that you have the reputation for making well, people will come knocking at your door for it." He warned against copying what others do. "The real mistake is to produce the same quality of goods with which the market is already flooded. It is pointless to do this, then complain about being discriminated against." He stressed the power of hard work combined with creativity: "If you work hard and bend your brains to producing something superior in design and quality to what is already on the market, people will flock to buy it." The elderly gentleman admitted that every society has prejudice and narrow-mindedness. "No society is ever free of prejudice and narrow-mindedness; it is just one unfortunate aspect of community-living. The difference in this from one society to another is only one of degree. But these are barriers which can definitely be surmounted through diligence and application." He gave an example: if you barely pass exams, prejudice might block your way. But if you score very high marks, "All the walls of prejudice would then have to crumble and fall in the face of superior talent. No one would then dare deny you your rights." "Does it not make sense then to try your hardest to reach the highest pinnacles of academic success? It is only a question of working much harder than your rival. Then the world will be convinced that you have not only set yourself the highest standards, but have also lived up to them." Concluding, he said, "Once launched upon life with superior knowledge and skills, there is no question of your failing to find the place you deserve. Every door will open to you, because it is invariably the highly qualified who are in demand." This inspiring message was shared by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan as a spark of hope for youth aiming to break free from hurdles and reach the shining peaks of success.

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Tags: University admission, Success advice, Education tips, Youth guidance, Hard work, Meritocracy,