A Music Graduate! - Binay Kumar Panda

“Though I am an Odia by origin, I was born and brought up in Nagaland, and stayed a major portion of my life in North East. I have been into music since the age of 4, and later, studied my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music from Bhatkhande Sangeet University in Lucknow. In 2012, I shifted to Bhubaneswar and I’ve been on and off in the city since then.

I’ve worked as a teacher and as a resident artist for clubs. My last job was in the club, "Echoes". My passion towards music has been multifaceted, and I’ve always tried to work with music as a whole. I did my expertise in vocals and then studied many instruments. I also studied my DJ and other production courses. Now, I sing and perform as an acoustic artist, and I spin the DJ and recite the poems that I write. Travelling to, and living in a lot of places has made me multi-lingual as well!

My first performance was when I was 9 years old, and I’ve been performing ever since. I have performed in classical parishads, gharanas, the Hornbill festival, IITs, Amity and various college fests. I was also the choir master in the Lotus Temple, Delhi, and that was when I got to perform with Atef Sedaqoui, the renowned French vocalist, when he had been to India for his tour.

My father has been a very strong support for me. He used to wake me up in the morning for riyaaz since I was a kid, and even though it was forceful for me back then, it became a discipline for me in my later years. In the future, I hope to do what I’m doing now, but in a magnified manner.” – Binay Kumar Panda.

Creativity Takes Courage - Tasneem Anjum

“Since childhood I was very much interested in art. There was no formal education available at that time so I took part in every art contest held in school and after that I started participating in various state level competitions as well.

From 9th class onwards, I gradually lost touch with art due to increasing academic pressure and eventually stopped painting. During lockdown in 2020, I fell ill and so to keep myself positive, stress-free and my spirits high I started painting again. I found out about few art communities on Instagram and took part in various online contests. I began with water colors and then after witnessing my growth, I tried my hands on other mediums and developed more interest in painting on the ‘Gouache’ and 'Acrylic' mediums. 

‘Gouache’ was a less popular medium but now it’s gaining popularity due to the matte finish that it gives. I’m still learning and trying out different techniques in water colors and Gouache and want to explore other mediums like graphite, charcoal & oil.

Recently, I have started an art series called the “Around the world in 80 places” in which I paint and post 3 places each week, that I’d like to visit. I believe in utilizing time in working on your passion, rather than wasting time. I try my best to balance between studies and painting. The encouragement from my parents and the Instagram community that I've built, keeps me going. . Every new day is a new beginning and we should utilize it in the best possible way.”- Tasneem Anjum.

Work On It Till You Make It - Siddharth Mishra

"I had a knack for sketching. I was naturally good at it. My parents decided to refine my ability and put me into drawing classes. The teacher, just because I wasn't able to hold my pencil the way he wanted me to, declared that I cannot become an artist, ever. So, that was the end of drawing in my childhood. 

Things turned around when I entered college. Out of the blue, I started painting daily and shared my work with my friends. My friends' encouragement gave me the boost that I had lost because of my childhood art teacher. After my parents, they are the ones to whom I'll always be grateful for pushing me in the right direction.

Post college, when I started working, I felt empty. I wanted to do something relating to art. Thus, I decided to pursue designing, besides my job. I appeared for various exams, but couldn't make it, just by a margin of 7 marks. I tried again, but still couldn't make it. By this time, my colleagues also got to know about my art and I started taking sessions for them. Over my Instagram page also, I started taking sessions. Later, I went on to quit my job and my manager said, "Either you are too dumb, or too bold".

 

During the first lockdown, an art group, Artisana, approached me. I took sessions on their platform and monetized my skills. I also went on to join another firm, in which I do my second most favourite thing, that is, coding. 

There is a proper balance in my life right now. Coding and painting fill my days and my heart. To my fellow Odias, I'd like to say that work on your skills. You might fail at times, you might not enter into your dream college, but that doesn't mean you cannot pursue it any other way!" - Siddharth Mishra. 

My Dad: My Superhero! - Namrata Lenka

“When my father first caught fever, we never suspected that to be anything different from viral fever. 2 days later when it grew worse, we got him tested, and he tested Covid positive. But in 2 days, his blood oxygen level became normal.

However, later he was diagnosed with throat infection, and on further diagnosis, it was detected that he had been affected with 40% Pulmonary Fibrosis. A few days later he came back home from the hospital, and after staying in quarantine for 4 days, he went for a check-up, and his Pulmonary Fibrosis infection had come down to only 10%. Currently he is under medication, and is living his normal life.

The demise of one of our relatives just before my father’s sickness had made a huge psychological impact on my father. Despite all the hurdles, he came back strong, and was determined to recover from the ailment. My mother also had an asthma attack during that time.

My father has been my biggest support from the beginning. When I decided to choose Arts in my 11th instead of science, my father was the one who stood by me and fought for me against all my relatives.

Though my father was a really bright student, he gave up his passion for commercial studies due to his family’s financial constraints, and got into his father’s business to support the family from a very early age. He still has this regret, and he never wants me to give up on something that I’m passionate about. His support for me has kept me going forward in a lot of things in life.” – Namrata Lenka.

Presenting, Chef Anjan! - Anjan Goud

 

“Since my father was a scientist in ISRO, everyone expected that I would choose something related to science, but I had a different aim. Later, I took admission in the International Institute of Hotel Management in Pune and after 3 years, I got my degree from the University of West London.

I started my career in 2014 with Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, in Italian specialty. In 2017, I got promoted to Chef De Partie, and a year later I shifted to All Day Dining, which is a multi-cuisine 24-hours running restaurant. There, I was in charge of the western cuisine.

In 2019, I got a call from The Leela Hotels and Resorts, and I joined them in Chennai, and got promoted to Junior Suos Chef. Here I took care of the continental cuisine. During the first lockdown, there was not much activity, but after that, when the India-England Cricket Series happened here, I was made a part of the bio-bubble for the series. Later in March when the IPL started, I was part of it for the Royal Challengers Bangalore team, since they were staying with us.

In my journey I have learnt a lot of things, and learning to make hand-made pastas in my early career is something that I’m really proud of, because people hardly realize how difficult that really is. I’ve learnt to work seamlessly in a team when we cater to hundreds of guests at a time. My family, and especially my father, have been instrumental in my success because they have supported me all along.

Now I am known among a lot of celebrities and sports personalities, and I feel happy that I could make my family proud. This July 1^st will mark the completion of 7 years of my career, and I am happy with everything that I have achieved.” – Anjan Goud.

A Covid Warrior! - Dr. Priyanka Mohanty

"I was dealing with Covid patients and had already covered 4-5 rounds of patients. With our constant efforts, we were able to send more than 400 patients home. Thus, due to my duty, Covid was already a part of my life. 

On April 22, 2021, I contracted the virus and had to stay in home isolation for 14 days. The virus was beginning to take a toll on me. I had all the symptoms, fever, sore throat, cough, body pain, drop in oxygen level and weakness. On April 21, 2021, I had lost my grandmother, so both these events (my grandma's death and my Covid), led me into a traumatic phase. I used to get anxiety attacks(even now, I do).

But, after following all the necessary precautions, I recovered with the determination to help those in need. I bounced back to work, better than ever, and started working immediately after my recovery. This time, I was not satisfied just with treating them, I wanted to do more. Thus, every month, out of my savings, I purchased Covid kits and distributed them among the needy. 

Besides this, I also lead a menstrual awareness campaign. When I had my periods for the first time, I realized that it is treated as a taboo and hence, kept under wraps. I am constantly working in association with UNICEF, WHO and Red Cross to remove the taboo. We also distributed 50,000 pads to women in rural areas. 

Everyone listens to a doctor, thus, I used my platform to initiate a change; a change for the good. If, through my deeds, I am able to change the mindset of just one person, I will be very glad and at peace!" - Dr. Priyanka Mohanty.

Check out this cute video:

Comedy: The Joy Of My Life! - Satyabrat Mohapatra

“Back in my school and college days, I used to dance and didn’t have any stage fright. But, later I realized that I was naturally funny and that I could actually monetize this art. Then, I started seeing some really good stand-up comedians on YouTube and finally, made up my mind to capitalize on this. I started doing open mics and people told me that I was really good at this.

In 2016, I was taken in by “Bhubaneswar Komedians” and that’s when my journey started. Following my graduation in 2017, I got placed in a company and went to Pune, but within a year I left the job to pursue full time comedy. After coming back to Bhubaneswar, we founded “Comedy Highway”, which is the only stand-up comedy collective in Odisha.

I’ve now completed 5 years into comedy and I’ve done shows with some renowned comedians such as Zakir Khan, Abhisek Upmanyu, and many others as well. My video is scheduled to be released in the January of 2022 which I will do with “Habitat”. I’ve been invited to perform in more than 50+ colleges in Odisha, as I am the second Odia comedian to perform in “Canvas Laugh Club”, the first being Biswas Kalyan Rath.

I also happen to be the voice-over artist for Disney’s Donald Duck for a few Hindi dubbed episodes in 2008. This made it easier for me to make my way into the top 70 contestants in the “Great Indian Laughter Challenge 2017”.

In the beginning, it was difficult to convince my parents because at that time I used to do only open mics and no paid shows. They did not understand why I went to bars to perform in front of an audience. Gradually, when I got featured in articles and newspapers, they were convinced that I’m doing something legit.

Done and dusted with my MBA, I have been posted near Bhubaneswar itself as a Program Facilitator in an NGO. I am skeptical about pursuing stand-up fulltime because I realized that this artform requires my availability only in evenings(that's when most shows happen). A day job therefore definitely keeps me busy.

Since the stand-up scene in Odisha is still in its nascent stage, I look forward to helping young comedians who want to try their hands at this art, and help them grow in this industry” – Satyabrat Mohapatra.

Burning 1000 Plates Of Biryani! - Ankit Bhatta

"I have been overweight since class 2. I enjoy junk food. But, ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction’ and so was in my case too! I weighed more than the average weight of my class. ‘Mota’ had always been my nickname everywhere. Not only students, but also the teachers started calling me 'Mota'. At the time of punishment, I used to get most beatings because “Moti Chamdi” (Sighs). Nobody really cared about my skills. All they did was judge me and pass comments on my weight and my body shape.

At this point, I realized that something needs to be done. All my life, I always tried my best to outshine, in studies and extracurricular activities. I won accolades in multiple competitions. I have always craved for people to acknowledge me more than just a fat boy. All these felt compensated for, when I became the school captain. During graduation, I was lucky to find friends who helped me shape my personality. I started interacting more and aspired to become an entrepreneur. I started a couple of small ventures and failed miserably. But that didn’t stop me. I led college events as the secretary. My world fell apart when I got interviewed during our campus selection round and they said that I was not fit enough to join their organization. I went on to achieve two offers that day, but that one statement hurt me. 

Later Photography & Graphic Designing further shaped me. It instilled discipline and humility in my personality. When I visited Himachal & Uttarakhand, I got tired very quickly while walking. The combined weight of my body and my camera bag was around 150Kgs. I struggled but I kept on walking. That’s when I realized that I seriously need to lose weight.

I am 90Kgs now, after losing 47Kgs. My aim is to hit the 75Kg mark. My determination will surely take me there." - Ankit Bhatta

Given below are some of the mean comments that Ankit had to bear! Kindly take a look and let us know if you can relate!

 

                                                                            

When A Banker Turns Into A Jeweller! - Sonalisha Sahoo

"After completing my post-graduation, I joined as a banker in a leading bank in 2016. Luckily, I got my first posting in my hometown, Bhubaneswar. I was very excited and happy, but in a few days, all my excitement faded as life got stuck in the 9 to 9 job.

Later, due to a personal loss, I was in trauma for nearly a year and I couldn't focus on my job. That phase made me realize that I was not enjoying my job and that's when I decided to resign. Everyone told me that it was a "foolish idea" and asked me to drop the idea of resignation. 

After 9 months of contemplation and discussions with my mother, I decided to go with resignation. My Mom knew that I was unhappy with the job and my peace was being compromised, hence she extended full support.

One day, due to a family function, I was searching for jewellery on the Internet. I noticed the prices are too high as compared to the product quality. I went through more than 10 websites and with increasing curiosity, slipped into the field of marketing. That's how my online jewellery page, "Aadya by Sona" was born with an aim to provide the finest artificial jewellery at an affordable price. 

Due to an initial overwhelming response, I got some projects as a jewellery designer from the South & worked in model shoots. However, now due to the pandemic, many of my projects got cancelled and my digital store is also underperforming. 

I hope this pandemic ends sooner and my aspirations become reality. During these difficult times, what keeps me motivated is that I chose to be courageous and fearless and that's exactly what women are meant to be!" - Sonalisha Sahoo.