"I was 10 when my family was abandoned by a ‘Sahi Committee’ in Cuttack. My father was the secretary of that committee. We were financially fragile. His increasing supporters and well-wishers in that local area outnumbered his haters. Out of jealousy, they created a strategy to charge him falsely... It led to us not being able to communicate with any person in that area. We could neither participate in any functions. My father was about to commit suicide. Our godowns and rented houses had been burnt by people.
“This phase is the most important one for our family, my son. We have to win and there’s no quitting for us!”, he had said. And that was it. The phase after that was a magical one. Dad put all his focus in business and by God’s grace, it surged within some years. He cracked impossible deals in Odisha and went on to win prestigious Governor’s Award for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic works.
I grew up and started writing. I didn’t have any idea about it, but it felt nice to write everything on paper because I knew that it wouldn’t cheat me later. I published my first book when I was 16. Thus, began a beautiful journey. Till now, I have written six books, out of which 4 were best sellers. My Odia book (biography of my father- ‘Eka Gharikiya’) was nominated for ‘Kendriya Sahitya Akademy Yuva Samman’ Award. It was a regional best seller that bagged me 2017 Youth Icon Award. I left my job to join my family business and started my own factory in Odisha. Currently, my father is a respected personality not just in Cuttack, but in the state.
So, here’s a reminder that everyone is special here. Don’t worry if the sunset is nearer, remember that the sun must set to rise!" - Suraj Chhatoi
More power to your family. Amazing story!
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