Today I have Rachit for my interview series. I know Rachit personally also as I have worked with him in past. He is been very active member and community contributor in MSDN forum from quite some time. On 1st January 2016 he was awarded as Integration MVP !!!!! He thinks, MVP award is bestowed to a few "exceptional, independent community leaders who share their passion, technical expertise, and real-world knowledge of Microsoft products with others.”   Question: Who are you and what you do? Answer: My name is Rachit Sikroria. I am based in Gurgaon, India where I work for a Consulting firm as a Senior BizTalk Consultant specialized in Integration and Cloud technologies on the Microsoft technology platform.   Question: When did you start working on BizTalk and how was the journey till now? Answer: It was 2011 when I was hired by a consulting firm. A fresher back then, I was assigned a project for one of our client where I started learning and working with BizTalk Server 2006. I’ve got chances to work on latest technologies so far with a lot of sleepless, tough yet exciting moments in service.   Question: When and how you came to know about that you have been selected as MVP and how did you feel? Answer: The year 2016 opened its first day with this good news. It was around 8 in the evening when I learnt that I am one of those few who have made it to the MVP dais. It was the most eagerly awaited email and it left my zeal fulfilled. My first reaction was thanking God that my efforts were reckoned.   Question: Now that you are a MVP, do you feel that responsibilities got added? Answer: May be not a responsibility, but it is definitely an impetus to do more in this field. To learn that Microsoft recognizes our efforts, a virtual leadership is created in us that makes us go on and on with our services.   Question: What are your thoughts on forums, blogs and articles etc.? Answer: I think the existence of sources like MSDN forums, TechNet wiki articles etc. have played a crucial role behind success of Microsoft technologies. They are sources of readily available expertise and you get solutions for most of the issues in just few clicks over the internet.   Question: What motivates you to do the community work? Answer: For me, the highest compliment is to see people finding their solutions through my answers. I am in awe of other contributors who have achieved intellectual zenith. The biggest motivation is that this community work has helped me both, share and receive knowledge. So when I am answering someone’s question, I’m also learning the many things I am ignorant of. After the award, I see others seeing a leader in me- now that’s a fringe benefit!   Question: What do you think it was which got you this reward - kind of contribution you provided to BizTalk community? Answer: Microsoft BizTalk forum is a consecrated platform for devoted contributors. I was tenaciously working for the community from the past many years. I feel that with all the experience I carry and my sedated efforts, Microsoft has acknowledged it with this award.   Question: How this award is helping in your career? Are you getting better opportunities? Answer: MVP award has given me that extra connection with the Microsoft Product team and it leads to professional growth. Being a part of the Private mailing-list that has all Azure MVPs together and several Microsoft employees too (including members of the Azure team), is like a dream come true! I am now offered invitations for all the webcasts and tech session which keep me abreast of the latest progress in Microsoft technologies.   Question: What advice would you give to anyone about community contribution and this MVP award? Answer: After a careful consideration by the Microsoft panel, MVP award is bestowed to a few "exceptional, independent community leaders who share their passion, technical expertise, and real-world knowledge of Microsoft products with others.” It should be borne in mind that Microsoft community is a platform of only persistent knowledge lovers where both love for learning and love for sharing is needed. My mantra was knowledge driven, not award driven. This award was just Microsoft saying, “Rachit, we like what you do. Keep it up.” Continual dogged efforts and this accolade is yours!   Question: Your suggestion to a newcomer? What should be approach to get sound knowledge in BizTalk? Answer: Knowledge is no fortune that happens through a windfall gain. One gets in the cycle of learning, remembering and sharing and it is a long devoted process. Work with lots of learned techies, read and observe. Like in any other discipline, start with the basics and in case of severity, come back to them. Chances of failing minimize if one has a strong base knowledge. Perfection comes later!   Question: Do you read any non- technical book? Which one book you have read recently ? Answer: I owe my love of reading to my Professor spouse- since I am surrounded by books, I tend to lay my hands on them for a change. The last book I’ve read is Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations whom I happened to learn about in a recent Bollywood release. Thanks Rachit for sharing your thoughts. Congrats for the MVP award and I wish you all the best for your future endeavors.