A Teenager With A Million Dreams! - Keshab Satpathy

"When I was 14, I attempted for my first pageant, which took me places from Kolkata to Bangalore and Delhi, but unfortunately, one day before my show, I had to withdraw due to a personal emergency. I did not regret the fact that I couldn't continue in the competition, rather my family and I were proud that I reached thus far.

Later, I got a call and was asked to represent my State in another pageant, that is, Mr. Asia Junior. With all my heart, I went to perform. When this competition ended, the trophy was in my hand. I was the only Odia among thousands of contestants. Soon after, I represented Odisha in Mr. Universe Junior and I won that as well. 

After these back to back competitions when I came home, things were different; people knew me and my name had a value. I decided to use this value for the welfare of the society. Thus, my father and I registered an organization, called 'Babaji's', where we help the needy with food and water and in winters, we provide them with blankets. We also try to make sure that no animal is abandoned and has a proper home to live. 

Later, I went working under Balaji Telefilms as an actor and did several short films and shows. I also have been working with Kallola and UNICEF since 2018 and also spoke at the UNICEF conference. We are planning to build a factory in Mayurbhanj, which will be an all women factory, thus, making the women in the rural and tribal areas self sufficient and independent and the profit would go to educating children in those areas. Recently, I have also opened an independent bookstore and art gallery, 'Putuz'. 

I am 17 now and I have decided that whatever work I do in my life, whether in the field of modelling or acting or any business, all of it will carry some weightage and will impact the audience in a good way. My endeavors are aimed to help and build the people of Odisha in every way that I can." - Keshab Satpathy.

"Mamma Mia"- Adyasha Mohapatra

"My mother bake cakes that are really heaven on plate and after giving a thought, I encouraged my mother to become a home baker. Initially, we were unsure to start due to the pandemic. But then, people had started to prefer homecooked food, hence we decided to sell cakes from home, with utmost hygiene.

My mother wanted to name the bakery after me, but then I realized that she is the one who takes the pain of baking, so after much discussion, we both settled with the name ‘Mama’s Bakery’, because I call her, ‘Mama’ and she calls me the same out of love. 

We were elated to receive our first order on 28th November 2020 and eventually started getting loads of order in December. I usually help her with icing and decorating, while she bakes the cake.

My mother and I are planning to come up with an outlet store of ‘Mama’s Bakery’, but it’s getting delayed due to Covid-19.The sales have gone down as of now because I’m unable to devote much time towards advertisement and promotion of the page on social media, but I’m sure things will get better with time and everything will fall into place sooner or later. – Adyasha Mohapatra.

Working Towards A Developed Future - Rajesh Meher

“I belong to a very small village in Kalahandi. Since childhood, though I was interested in a lot of things, I could not explore them because we didn’t have a lot of money. I was good at studies, and it felt like the only thing I was meant for.

For high school, I went to BBSR. The transition from my village to such a space was really difficult. Since I couldn’t ask for much money from home, I did tuitions, and also distributed newspapers with my roommate.

During graduation, I stumbled upon a youth organization called Patang, and being deeply influenced by their activities, I got associated with them. For the first time, I got exposure to things that were beyond studies, and I felt valued there.

Later, I came across the International Youth Exchange Program. A total of 9 young people from India were sent to the UK for 3 months, where we stayed with 9 young English people. We raised funds for Multiple Sclerosis patients, and also took care of them. After coming back to India, we stayed for 3 months in rural Rajasthan. This program changed my perspective forever. 

I continued volunteering and after my Masters, took a break year to do social work in tribal MP. Going out of academics, working in the development sector, and again coming back to academics has been my pattern. During my MPhil, I went out with 5 of my friends to start a travelling café, called ‘Café Bean Here Bean There’, and that turned out to be a huge success.

Currently, I am invested in adolescence, youth, and social entrepreneurship. I have been trying to build something that youth can relate to, and be comfortable around.” – Rajesh N Singh Meher.

A Rollercoaster Ride - Udbodhan Banerjee

"Being the only child of a huge family, had it's own perks. If I had dust on my hands, it would be wiped off for me. If I said elephant, though my Dad wouldn't be able to buy me one, still he would hire someone and an elephant will be outside my house! This the lavish lifestyle which I had at home.

But, in school, I was as quiet as a mouse. Whenever my teacher asked me anything, I used to write it down, giving them the impression that I had speech-disorder. Chaitali Ma'am, one of my teachers, was very intrigued by my behavior and hence, she asked me as to why I don't speak. As usual, I wrote the reason on paper and the reason was I was terribly afraid to do so.

A month later, Ma'am caught hold of me in the corridor and handed over the responsibility to read "Thought Of The Day", in front of 2000 students. A boy who didn't speak to his own classmates was asked to do the same before a huge crowd. Little did I know, that this small effort of Ma'am would change my life forever!

Post that, I spoke like it's my last time. A Class 2 child won 44 debates in a row, defeating his seniors from Class 10. My confidence boosted, but soon after, I met with an accident. A spot of baldness appeared on my head and everyone started teasing me because of it. All my achievements fell short before that one spot!

Then, I changed my school. Things went uphill again. I won debates and quizzes, made friends for life and also became the CR. But again, just when good things happened to me, a downfall followed it. My ex-girlfriend falsely accused me and my CR badge was taken away. What followed it was, failure in competitions. 

But again, I challenged myself, toiled and success came to me. The Principal who had removed my CR badge, installed the headboy batch and life came to a full circle!

Today, I am a businessman and the theory of ups and downs which I learned in my teens is surely helping me. One day, you will be on top of your world and other days, you will feel like, "there's rock bottom, 50 feet of crap and then you". We can't predict these ups and downs, but we can remain open to learn from the downs and celebrate the ups! - Udbodhan Baneerjee.  

Embracing Your Self! - Aakash Mohapatra

“I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in my left leg when I was 16. There was surgery, chemotherapy, and life during that period was a struggle. The chemotherapy, its side effects, everything was challenging. It was painful to get back to the normal ways of life.

If one thing didn’t go your way, it doesn’t mean all things will end up against you. Before my cancer, I used to play football, but after surgery I couldn’t play anymore. However, I switched to snooker. Just because I couldn’t play one sport, I did not give up on others.

In snooker, I got great success, and I was the state champion in 2018. Currently, I am indulged in my family business and I also take out time for snooker whenever there's a national meet!

What bothers me about the society is that, just because you had cancer, people think you’re still unhealthy, or you’re still struggling with it. People mostly remember the stories that turn out to be bad, and movies like ‘Dil Bechara’, because they have been made to be dramatic. But, every story isn't the same. People who have fought something critical are now leading amazing lives. I am sure that if people see me now, they wouldn’t even know if I ever had cancer!

The struggle is for the victor, because that person is usually looked at in a different way. I hope avenues show up that provide for counselling after the person is healed, but is yet considered sick and hence, he is ignored. I am glad that eventually, I found people who embrace my past and treat me equal and I hope the same for my fellow warriors."– Aakash Mohapatra

Nothing Short Of A Warrior Woman! - Bhavna Pradhan Nayak

 Fear of the pandemic was secondary, wherein staying away from my husband during my pregnancy was the most hurtful thing. I was staying with my parents when suddenly the lockdown happened and my husband couldn’t come down from his work place for seven months. 

I missed him by my side all the time. The fact that he will miss the kicks of our baby, my mood swings and many such precious moments, put me in anguish. It was quite hectic to be at a diagnostic centre with a belly of that size for scans. I always had my mother by my side but the absence of my husband made me sad. 

Time flew and just a month prior to my due date on 23rd May 2020, I went for a routine check-up and that’s when my doctor found out that my placenta was in a wrong position and my water level had gone down in the past few days. Condition being a serious risk to the baby, she decided to operate immediately. Hence, I ended up having an emergency c-section. 

We were blessed with a baby boy on the same day. The baby was not able to breathe properly on the first day and was on ventilator for the whole day after birth. We were all anxious about the baby’s health as no-one was allowed to touch the baby or get near him due to the virus. But by God’s grace his conditions improved. My husband had come back from Jamshedpur but was in quarantine and still had four days left for his quarantine period to get over. So, he met the baby after four days, held him in his arms and I could see the immense happiness in his eyes that he had been longing for.

 Leaving my home in Jamshedpur and shifting to Cuttack was distressing because I had planned to raise my child at the place where my husband and I had spent the most priceless time together. But unfortunately, my child has still not been to Jamshedpur. 

I’m really glad now that we are all together, healthy and happy. The journey was very tough and the series of events have left a scar in my heart and it will only vanish with my last breath. – Bhavna Pradhan Nayak

Let's Be The Voice For The Mute Beings - Sristi Chowdhury

"During Lockdown, I decided to feed the street dogs because their resources were completely blocked at that time. I had always had a soft corner for them, but I couldn't do anything actively because of my hectic schedule. 

I used to feed around 60 dogs, every single day. The little that I offered them, made them excited.  At this point, the restrictions were too harsh and I was obliged to follow them. I used to wake up at 5 am everyday, so that I could get back home before the police started patrolling. They caught me a time or two and asked me why I was out, but, eventually, they realized that I had to feed the dogs, no matter what.

The feeding session exposed me to their world of problems, which really had no solution, unless we, humans, decided to do something about it. I volunteered with some dog shelters and realized the bitter process that these animals have to go through. 

I filed two cases for animal abuse and even the system, doesn't stand with them. I worked with paralyzed dogs and saw them struggle for 1 year, before they finally gave in. They didn't even have the luxury to die. I also witnessed people hitting dogs with their vehicles without caring to look back. Moreover, I also encountered cases where "humans" had attempted rape on female dogs. Seeing all this, I am registering a trust called, Hope, after a dog who bravely fought for her life for 1.5 months. 

Now, when I take out my scooty to travel somewhere, all those munchkins of mine would follow me around. It makes them happy, but I get scared about them getting into an accident. Just for one meal a day, they are eternally grateful to me.  

All I ask of my fellow humans, is to be a human. Stoning a dog is not normal, ignoring an injured dog on the road is also abnormal. In my packed life, I am able to take up my responsibility towards them. Giving biscuits to Labradors and German Shepherds doesn't make you great, unless you do your bit for the ones who really need your help! - Sristi Chowdhury.

Flying Past Failures! - Sabyasachi Satpathy

"I was an average student who wanted to be everything under the Sun; a doctor, actor, model, artist, cook and what not. In the 90s, I did modeling in Berhampur even though there was no scope, but I had the hunger to be known.

After being rejected a seat in NIFT Delhi in 1995, I finished by graduation & took Konark Express with 14 bags and moved to Bombay to find fame.

Open to the world of possibilities, I struggled my bit. I worked as a hotel front desk executive, cooked food for bachelors, made iron furniture, did data entry and door to door marketing to earn extra and live life as I used to with my parents in a huge bunglow in Berhampur.

Years passed, fame was far away, but I made a few contacts from Nalasopara to Ball Room of Oberoi's.I never expected anyone to pick me up and make me famous, neither did I ask anyone for work or introduce me to the biggies.

Always low on money, yet my smile and confidence kept me going until I had major crisis and had to return back home empty handed & heart broken in 2012. It took me 2 years to gather myself again to fight, survive and just be, with my family by my side. 

I restarted life, did small odd jobs and projects including a decor design store in Bhubaneswar and one day, Taste of Odisha came to me, and soon I was a household name in Odisha for 1.5 years.

Later, my father met with an accident which made him almost bed ridden. Handling everything at home and not taking care of herself, my mother suffered a brain stroke and was paralyzed on the left side.

Keeping myself mentally strong, I gave audition for Bigg Boss 11. I got through and became the first Odia to be a part of the biggest reality show of India, out of 4 crores applicants. Sooner, I became a known name in Indian TV industry.

All the work and failures for years, helped me to be a designer, cook, orator , TV show host, voice over artist, actor and so much more.

I believe the Sun will rise in everyone's life, so stay positive and keep working. Smile, even if you are in utmost pain. It's just one life, make the best out of it." - Sabyasachi Satpathy.