Introduction
Do you remember the time after 12th when everyone around you seemed to know what they wanted to do, except you? That scary feeling of being left behind? That’s where Shahid Khan and Meraj Khan were just a few months ago.
Their parents worried about them, their friends were moving ahead, and these boys had no clue what to choose. Coming from homes where computers were hardly used, nobody ever imagined they would one day land an internship at JJ Hospital, representing a real tech company, Beyond Chat.
On the outside, this looks like “just two students getting an internship.” But trust me, it’s way more than that. It’s about two confused boys who found their way, became confident learners, and turned into role models.
Keep reading, because this story will remind you that any student can achieve success if given the right support and guidance.
Chapter 1: The Foundation
Shahid Khan grew up like any other teenager, studying hard but still unsure of what life after 12th would look like. His parents had left their hometown years ago to give him a better life in the city. His father worked long hours as a guard supervisor, and his mother, a homemaker, dreamed that her son would reach places they never could. But when Shahid’s exams ended, instead of feeling relieved, he saw his friends walking confidently towards their chosen paths. Shahid, however, felt stuck. “What now?” he wondered. His parents had big dreams for him, but he wasn’t sure how to fulfill them.
Meraj Khan, his close friend, came from a similar background. His family had also sacrificed a lot so that he could study in Mumbai. They wanted him to become the first in their family to make a career in technology or science. But Meraj too felt lost after 12th, afraid that he might not fit into this fast-moving world. Sometimes, he would see his parents worrying silently about his future, which made the pressure even heavier.
Late-night talks between Shahid and Meraj were filled with the same questions: Which career should we choose? Can we really compete with others? Will our parents’ sacrifices pay off?
And then, like most good stories, a friend entered.
Chapter 2: The Bridge to Hope
One day, Shahid and Meraj decided to share their worries with their senior and friend, Altamash Raza. Unlike them, Altamash seemed confident and focused. Just a year ago, he too had been clueless about computers; he didn’t even know how to make a simple document. But with time, he had learned coding, built websites, and even started mentoring juniors.
When Shahid and Meraj told him about their confusion, Altamash smiled and said, “I know exactly how you feel. I was in the same place not long ago. But there’s a solution, I’ll take you to a POD.”
The boys looked puzzled. “What’s a POD?” they asked.
Altamash explained, “It’s part of Apni Pathshala. A digital learning center where students like us can learn computers, new skills, and even how to face the world with confidence.”
This is how Shahid and Meraj were introduced to the POD, Learn From Peers (LFP) branch of Tardeo, along with two mentors who would profoundly impact their lives: Supriya Dubey and Sai Prashad Pujari.
Chapter 3: Learn From Peers (LFP) Journey
At POD LFP Tardeo, Shahid and Meraj’s real journey began. At first, even simple computer tasks felt impossible. But Supriya Dubey’s patience and Sai Prashad Pujari’s discipline turned their fear into focus. Bit by bit, they learned WordPress, Canva, Google tools, HTML, and even AI apps like ChatGPT.
Shahid pushed himself further, taking small freelance poster design projects on Canva. The first time he earned money for his work, his confidence doubled. Meanwhile, Meraj’s parents started noticing a change in their quiet son. He was talking with more clarity, carrying himself with confidence, and no longer the boy who avoided responsibility.
Soon, both were guiding juniors, giving small presentations, and speaking up in class. That’s when Simran Jain and Pankaj Banrwal, founders of Beyond Chat, visited. Watching Shahid and Meraj, once confused, now eager and bold, they saw something special.
Both Founders offered Shahid and Meraj an internship at Mumbai’s prestigious J.J. Group of Hospitals, one of the oldest and busiest hospitals in India, where thousands of patients come daily. Their role? To represent Beyond Chat and guide real patients using its AI chatbot. A chance far bigger than any classroom project.
Chapter 4: The Internship and Challenges
Excitement ran high, but so did problems.
The Timing Struggle
At first, internship hours clashed with their college classes. Simran Ma’am advised, “Focus on basics first.” But later, the founders adjusted timings so Shahid and Meraj could balance both.
The Real Challenge – Patients
At JJ Hospital, Shahid and Meraj’s job was to guide patients to use the Beyond Chat chatbot. Simple, right? Not really.
Many patients were scared. They’d say, “QR code? No, no! We’ve heard about fraud. Scanning this will steal our data.” Others ignored them completely, thinking it was another scam.
Shahid recalls, “Some patients even shouted at us. I was so nervous at first, I wanted to quit.”
But quitting wasn’t an option. With guidance from Simran Ma’am, Pankaj Sir, and support from each other, the boys learned to patiently explain. They reassured patients that the chatbot was safe, built for JJ Hospital itself, and meant to help them get answers faster.
This experience taught Shahid that leadership becomes easier when fear is not in the way. Guiding patients, coordinating with hospital staff, and even preparing weekly reports no longer felt like a burden but a skill he could proudly carry forward.
For Meraj, the biggest lesson was that communication and continuous learning are the real keys to solving problems. From a confused teenager, he grew into a confident young earner, taking on responsibilities, helping patients daily, and proving that age is no barrier when determination is present.
Conclusion: A Lesson for Every Student
This story isn’t just about an internship. It’s about hope, courage, and the power of community learning.
Shahid and Meraj remind us that even when you feel lost, your parents, teachers, and friends are silently rooting for you. All you need is to take the first step.
We’ve all been there, confused after 10th or 12th, unsure of what to do.
Most students don’t get the right support at the right time.
That’s why Apni Pathshala’s PODs exist, to give students opportunities that can change their future.
Maybe the next student sitting quietly in a small town classroom is the one who will change India’s face in technology. Maybe someone just like Shahid or Meraj is waiting for a chance right now.
👉 If you want to read more inspiring journeys like this, check out our Success Stories section.
👉 Read How Peer Learning Creates a Class Without a Teacher? Read here.
👉 Curious about students who became mentors at PODs? Read about them here.
Do you know a student who feels lost after 12th?
Share this blog with them.
You never know, it could be the push they need to begin their own success story.
One Response
This story is truly inspiring