In this episode of Chat Masala, we speak with Rajiv Srinivasan, an alum of West Point Military Academy and Wharton, and former platoon leader in Afghanistan. He opens up about his journey as an Indian in the US military, insights gained while interacting with tribal elders in Kandahar, and the most important skills young people require for success in the twenty-first century. Timestamps: 0:00 - 2:16 Introduction 2:16 - 6:30 Choosing to go to West Point Military Academy 6:30 - 8:21 The diversity in the US military 8:21 - 10:51 West Point vs Ivy Leagues 10:51 - 15:30 What elite universities lack 15:30 - 17:40 Human empathy during wartime 17:40 - 19:38 Life in Kandahar 19:38 - 22:00 The blinders of righteousness 22:00 - 24:20 Interacting with the tribal elders 24:20 - 27:15 Grappling with intellectual adversaries 27:15 - 30:00 How military skills apply in the the real world 30:00 - 33:15 The importance of digital discipline 33:15 - 35:16 The value of video games 35:16 - 37:06 The doom scroll 37:06 - 40:05 Conquering your physical health 40:04 - 43:35 A day in the life 43:35 -45:09 My journey with sobreity and veganism 45:09 - 54:55 Rapidfire Founded by two visionary Princeton graduates in 2014, Athena is on a mission to transform the education landscape in India and across the globe. We empower high-school students to secure admissions into elite universities worldwide, unlocking their full potential. With our exceptional team of consulting and writing experts, in-house tech instructors, research and art mentors, and a Harvard admissions consultant, we offer personalized one-on-one mentorship in all areas, from authentic extracurricular profile development to masterful college applications. Today, Athena stands as India’s largest premium education consulting firm for undergraduate study abroad, serving students in over 16 countries. Share your feedback, and email your response to connect@athenaeducation.co.in! See you next week. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athena_education/ Website: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/athenaeducationindia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athenaeducationindia Book a counseling session here: https://www.athenaeducation.co.in/book-a-session ---------------------------------