Pilot Turned Entrepreneur Gets BBA from Osmania Distance Education
This Pilot Turned into a Baker
Interview with Pratima Reddy
Interviewer: Who are you? Where are you from?
Pratima Kotha: I’m Pratima Kotha. I’m from Hyderabad and I live in West Maredpally. After my twelfth grade from St. Ann’s School in Secunderabad, I went to Australia to pursue a Diploma in Piloting. I got my pilot’s license there and stayed in Australia for about 4 years. Afterward, I moved to Jakarta, Indonesia, where I was stationed as a pilot and worked as the first officer with Sriwijaya Airline. After a couple of years in Jakarta, I decided to come back to Hyderabad.
Interviewer: What made you choose distance education at Osmania University?
Pratima Kotha: I chose distance education at Osmania University because it allowed me to finish my degree, which I didn’t have since I only had a pilot diploma from Australia. The flexibility of distance learning was perfect for my busy schedule. In three years, I completed my BBA degree with an 85 percent score. Another reason why I chose Osmania is because the degree offered does not have any special marking saying that the degree is from Distance. Distance Students and Regular Students from Osmania get the same degree.
Interviewer: How has your BBA degree helped you?
Pratima Kotha: The BBA degree has definitely helped me because I now have a stronger business acumen, which is useful for my business. I run “OCD by Pratima,” a premium bakery for elite clientele located in Gachibowli. We’ve been serving the twin cities for the past 4 years and have been quite successful.
Interviewer: How did you transition from being a pilot to running a bakery?
Pratima Kotha: I find baking to be my true calling. I really enjoyed being a pilot, but thanks to COVID, I had an opportunity to explore other pursuits. Once I started baking, it felt like a true calling. Being a pilot involves a lot of stress, like waking up at odd hours and traveling to far-off destinations. It sounds exciting, but it can be quite taxing. Baking, on the other hand, brings me immense joy and satisfaction.
Interviewer: How has your experience been running “OCD by Pratima”?
Pratima Kotha: It’s been wonderful. I bake premium cakes, and my customers are extremely happy with my creations. The reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see the joy my baked goods bring to people.
Pratima Kotha’s story is a remarkable journey from the skies to the kitchen, showcasing the flexibility and benefits of distance education. Her success with “OCD by Pratima” is a testament to how pursuing further education, even through non-traditional means, can open new doors and lead to fulfilling career changes.
For anyone in twin cities, Osmania University offers a great way to get more educational degrees by way of distance education without undergoing the stigma of distance education associated with IGNOU or BRAOU type universities.
