Following My Calling! - Avinash Patnaik

"In 2013, I started working for the Government of Odisha, as an agriculture officer. During the weekends, I used to travel extensively. It set my mind and soul free. 2 years later, I had to shift to BBSR because Dad met with a serious accident and Mom suffered from a disease which couldn't be diagnosed properly. 

Before this crisis, life was pretty simple, but all of a sudden, a heap of responsibilities came upon my shoulders. My travelling stopped for an entire year and my life revolved around my parents. 

However, a year later, I started travelling again, and also opened an Instagram account dedicated to the same. I also got into food blogging and revived my childhood passion of painting. At this time, a thought about leaving my job started lingering in my mind because I wanted to pursue PHD, besides keeping up with my food, travel and art page. 

Later, I resigned from my job. One of my relatives passed a harsh comment saying, "You are taking all wrong decisions and you will suffer one day!". This broke my heart and made me teary-eyed. However, my Aai supported my decision and asked me to go with it. Her words were like water to my thirsty soul. 

I had decided that I would try and earn something, while I am pursuing PHD. Thus, I started baking and also did collaborations with various brands. I started food styling! My parents help me with the food pictures and sometimes, are more concerned about the angle of the picture than me. Recently, I also started working with one of India's reputed chefs. 

Many people want to do something, but are stuck with something else. In their mind, there is a war going on between their passion and their secured job. I hope, one day, their job and their passion refers to one and the same thing." - Avinash Patnaik.