My life, My rules! - Krutanjali Mohanty

 "Tracing back to my roots, my grandmother is a Maharashtrian and my grandfather is an Odia, so our family is full of ardent food lovers. I have been chubby since I was a baby and my younger self never had to face body shaming. But, as I grew, my body shape started concerning people who hardly mattered to me. In my higher secondary years, I had few friends who used to pass disgusting comments, contributing to my already ‘collapsed’ self-confidence. 

When I moved out of my place for my higher studies to ASBM University, I got a chance to meet and explore with people belonging to different states and cultures and it is there, where I got surrounded by a lot of positive people and friends who made me feel absolutely beautiful and okay about my body. 

Recently, one of my friend ridiculed my body type and that forced me to doubt my calibre. After overcoming from that incident, I made up my mind to raise my voice against this issue and also make sure that I provide enough motivation to my fellow friends who are going through the same. Social Media is an equalizer and in today’s world it has helped matters go through the roof. The first time when I posted my writings on Instagram, I felt so relieved and eventually got a lot of support and appreciation from my teachers, friends and family in return and also the same guy rang me up and apologised for his actions. 

My father has been the biggest cheer leader of my life, he has never stopped me from having the foods I love or dresses I like to wear. Recently, my brother had an arranged marriage and my sister in law is quite healthy and she often shares with me how guys have rejected her due to her weight, and I’m so blessed that my family has never made her feel that in any way. The sad truth is that society gets carried away with external looks and refuse to see one’s qualities, inner beauty or abilities, which is so shameful. I just want to say to all the people that never shatter someone’s confidence just because they don’t fit in ‘your ideal weight category’.”- Krutanjali Mohanty