Make Way For I Am Here! - Bisakha Das

"I am the only female child in a family full of men. I grew up playing, living and spending time with my brothers. I used to feel inferior to them because of all the different ways in which I was treated in comparison to them. 

Besides this, I was also criticized due to my physical appearance and my day-to-day activities. I have a dark complexion, and as a member of this Indian society, we are the luckiest if we are not shamed for it. 

Despite not-so affluent financial situations, my parents managed to educate me in a good school. School life was rather a traumatic experience for me, but I got the lessons of life. I lost a lot of friends(the ones who were like a family to me), learnt to thrive irrespective of my insecurities and gained the confidence and independence that one needs to walk through life. 

Our family's financial condition encouraged me to take freelancing as a part-time job and this changed my life. My first project required a registration fee which I could not afford, hence, my friend paid for it. I owe him big! The project yielded around 500 rupees(my first ever income!). After doing a few projects of content writing and scripting, I came across some publication houses who decided to hire me! The feeling was surreal.

I have taken part in around 89 anthologies till date and am on my way to publish my own book. I was also sponsored as a Representative of Indian Youth Columnists. After all this success, I only have gratitude in my heart. Thank you to those who made all the attempts to disqualify me, but guess what? You do not get to do that. I am qualified and I am here to leave a mark! - Bisakha Das.

The Foodie Siblings - Sitabja Sitosna

"Initially, when I would try my hands at cooking, Dad would tease me saying, "Homescience neija"; meaning, he did not like to think of cooking as a profession or even a hobby for me. My mother, on the other hand, supported me through and through. 

When I moved out of my house for higher education, I used to eat out often and send the pictures to my younger brother. Seeing the pictures and already being aware of my passion for food, he insisted me to start a food blog. However, the pressure of  college was already too much for me.

In college, however, some of my friends and I started a food page on Instagram. Since there were so many of us, handling the page didn't seem burdening. In 2 months time, the future of the page seemed bleak(as we all returned home, due to Covid) and we decided to let go of the page. 

In 2020, my Facebook influenced Mother, suggested that I should work on food blogging. My brother, too, asked me to do the same, asked is a subtle way to put it, he forced! I accepted their suggestion and also asked my brother to help me, because I have a job to tend to. 

Working with my brother has been a hilarious ride. We disagree and fight a lot, and I always use the trump card of being the elder one. His reply to comments may be boring, but he is the sole reason that the page is up and running. 

In a few days, I'll shift to Hyderabad and he will start his graduation. Managing the page might get difficult, but we will try to make it work. The sibling duo is excited for what lies ahead." - Sitabja Sitosna.

Lover Of Cinema - Manoj Soren

"Growing up as a kid in the small mining township Tensa, a lot of my time was consumed by watching Hindi films on Doordarshan, Star Gold and pirated VCDs. Little did I know, this was going to become my life later. 

In High School, I used to write fiction stories on my notebook and read it to my English teacher and at this time, my father brought home a Nikon Coolpix L120 for our family trip and that was the turning point of my life. With that 21x zoom, I realized how human emotions can be captured in an image. I joined a photography club in Rourkela, exhibited my pictures and won some prizes. 

After having a fluctuating academic career, I got into the prestigious Satyajit Ray Film And Television Institute, which guided my steps towards storytelling. Telling a story and connecting with the audience were dreams that I envisaged. Currently, I am pursuing Cinema. The bigger goal is not to make a big film, but a film that stays with the audience, even after a long time." - Manoj Soren.

Busy Soaring! - Trishara Dangua

"My father worked in the Air Force and hence I was always travelling during my childhood. Changing schools, making new friends, learning new languages and adjusting to changing environments was no stranger to me.

As a baby I nearly escaped death during an earthquake. My mother saved me. Growing up, I suffered from fits and absent seizures. I was restricted from engaging in physical activities like playing, dancing, going on rides and I had multiple diet restrictions. I would consume medicines every morning and night. This took a huge toll on my mind and body. It also affected my academic performance.

After years of shifting, we settled in Odisha where I completed my schooling and graduation. During my college days, I also suffered from a brief period of depression. It was during this phase that I had also started my journey as a teacher. I would give tuitions to children during my free time and I fell in love with it. This also helped me overcome depression and made me stronger and independent.

I have always been an artistic person. I love art, photography and painting and had always wanted to give modelling a shot. My parents were very supportive of me and encouraged me. I took part in various modelling shows and beauty pageants. I started doing yoga, dancing and focused on my health and fitness. I was crowned Miss Chilika and later went on to represent Odisha. My friends and family members felt proud of me.This boosted my self confidence and spark.

Recently I went on a trek with my partner to Kashmir great lakes and had many priceless memories. The ten day journey was tough with varied terrains and challenges but I enjoyed crossing every obstacle and shared so many priceless memories. The exquisite views were worth all the effort. It was literally heaven on earth. So in life, we face many obstacles but if we focus on the goal and keep rewarding ourselves for the small achievements along the way, at the end of the day when we finally reach our goal we realize all the effort was worth it. It's not just about the destination but also about the journey. So it's very important that we enjoy the journey of life while we chase our goals and keep celebrating the small victories along the way and keep ourselves self motivated.

As things took a turn in my life, I haven't had a single fit for the last ten months and have been off my medications since. I am having the time of my life. I am fitter and stronger than ever before.

I am currently working as a teacher in a play school while pursuing my master's degree. I still do the things that I love which involves modelling, travelling, dancing,  doing yoga ,working out and am also learning to play the guitar. I feel it's very important for all of us to take out the time to do the things we love.

Whether it's having near a death experience, health problems, constant change in environments and friends or even depression, all these experiences helped me become stronger. It is very important to have hope and stay motivated towards ones goals no matter what obstacles come along. With right support and hard work one can really shine through. Do what you love and follow your heart.

'When you let your situation intimidate you, you will become sore, but turn the tables and you will soar! ' - Trishara Dangua.

Travelling : A Therapy - Debasmita Das

TW : Bullying

"Being a victim of bullying, self-doubt and insecurities had built a home in my life. But, I wanted to grow out of it. My longing to be an independent, conscious and in-control adult kept me going. I always wanted to travel and I knew that financial independence could guarantee that.

With a lot of hard work and dedication, I started working in the male dominated field of product management. Now, I had the freedom to travel to places that my soul longed for. Travelling was so rewarding and relishing that I performed better professionally, leaving footprints for others to follow.

I am at my best right now. If I could, I would go back in time and tell my little self that, "It may seem difficult right now, but in the future, you made it and you made it BIG!". I am so thankful to the 28 cities that I have travelled to for giving me the mental peace that I needed." - Debasmita Das.

Here To Learn And Grow - Shekh Sameer

 

“I always went out to eat, and I love to try different things from various places. Be it street food or good restaurants, I love to explore all such places, and my friends and relatives often ask me for recommendations. During my school and college days, I did not get much time to explore blogging. When I got into Tech Mahindra, and was working from home, that was when I started digging more into this field.

 

I started my journey in December 2020, and initially I thought that I only had to upload pictures of food, and provide the address of the place for my viewers. During this year’s lockdown, I got in touch with a lot of other bloggers, some of whom were from other states, and that broadened my view. I wanted to learn more, and encourage everyone else who wanted to try their hands on blogging.

 

Before I started, I had never thought that blogging would be difficult, but in reality, it takes a lot of work and effort to make a good blog for the audience. I even lost my job due to the pandemic, and there was a lot of pressure from my family to get a job, and I did not have much support for blogging. I continued on my path, and let fate decide my destiny.

 

I went to my first bloggers’ meet as an invitee, and I was nervous about it. But, I got to meet a lot of famous bloggers, and I got to learn many things from that event. Eventually I hosted a bloggers’ meet for the first time in ‘Yellow’ restaurant, Bhubaneswar, with the aim of bringing together new and experienced bloggers. I organized more such meets, and gave opportunities to new bloggers to gain more experience in the work that they love to do. I also received a lot of appreciation for organizing these meets.

 

A lot of people came to recognize me as a good blogger, and more importantly, they saw something good in my nature. I admire and appreciate everyone’s hard work, and I try to learn from them. I respect all creators, and try to be humane in all situations, and I hope to learn more, grow more, and achieve more.” - Shekh Sameer

Fortune Favours The Brave- Moushumi Patnaik

“I was studying in an I.C.S.E school and was very good in academics till 8th grade. Then, some disturbances happened that affected my performance. Maths was not my cup of tea so my 10th board results were unsatisfactory. I had always wanted to pursue Humanities, but my parents made me take up Science in my senior secondary years. Due to unsatisfactory marks in 10th exam, I pursued Science in Prabhujee English Medium school.

I required private tuitions, however, unavoidable circumstances put me into group tuitions and I found it really difficult to cope up with the pace of other students. Somehow, I passed 11th grade, but I flunked Maths in 12th board exam. The results came as a complete shock to my parents and my father stopped talking to me. He almost believed that my life was over and giving compartment exam was of no use.

But, I insisted on providing me with a private tuition and with a month’s preparation, I scored 65 in compartment exam. After that, I got selected in Christ University for a triple major in Arts, KIIT University for Designing and B.Tech, and in NIFT. As I couldn’t get a seat in NIFT-Bhubaneswar and other locations were quite costly for me, I made up my mind to do Designing in KIIT. 

I got rank 26 in Designing entrance, KIIT and under 500 rank for B.Tech in KIIT. My parents wanted me to take up engineering. My father and I were on our way to deposit the fees and were arguing the whole time. He was hesitant but was almost on the verge of doing my admission in Designing, when an employee from the documentation department brainwashed him to put me into B.Tech. That was the first time I retorted and my father was stunned.

I got into Designing and my father stopped talking to me for six months straight until one day when he saw my results and portfolio file where I had secured exceptionally good marks. He had tears of happiness in his eyes and came to me and hugged me. I’m in my final year now and doing multiple internships. I also own an art page and a small business. I purchased my phone from the Rs.30,000 profit that I made in my business.” – Moushumi Patnaik.

Shine On! - Ipsita Mohanty

"I decided to juggle both of my careers, as a singer and an engineer. It’s like rowing 2 boats at the same time. They require the same level of concentration; a slight mismatch can lead to a disaster.

Music has always been my life, ever since I started learning at the age of 3. My first Guru, Gauranga Pradhan, always said ‘Shine In Your Own Talent’. These words are my motto for life. 

I try to achieve my goals just with my talent, not anybody's favor. But, sometimes, some people adopt unethical means to succeed and that hurts. In my music community, while I get 2-3 gigs, my contemporaries get 10, through influence and power. In my workplace too, I see people going out of the line to get into the Manager’s good books and on the other hand, when I pave my way with my own hard work, it's unacceptable to them. They are envious of me and talk behind my back. 

I am not here to complain about life. But, these little things actually affect people, as they already are taking a toll on me. The best thing to do is not to become like them. If you ever feel that you are more deserving, but somebody else took advantage through unfair means, remember that the talent you have is yours alone. One day, you will get opportunities, which will be better than the ones you lost." - Ipsita Mohanty.

Live And Let Live - Sweta Dash

"It's become so difficult to survive in a society when you have a thin body and also, with average scores at school. People laugh at your weakness. The only reason my fellow classmates talked with me was because I was good at art and thus, I did their SUPW projects. Due to my insecurities, I failed to adore and love myself. 

When I asked my parents to let me become a fashion designer, they denied as they were skeptical about the financial stability. Thus, I pursued Sociology and got a job as an Academic Counselor.

I had adapted this new life, new interest and new job, but then, I saw my old craft. It felt surreal and wanted to live with this feeling forever. My little sister suggested that we should start a digital store and after thinking for a week, I gave my resignation and decided to make a page.

That decision gave me a boost, I was like, "Enough of the boundaries that I have allowed people to set for me. Enough of the dicey relatives and fake friends. This life is my own, no human has the right to make or break me!"

I started listening only from the people who meant to me and were selfless. My Mousi and Mom are still fighting with my relatives as they keep getting into my way. My Art built my confidence and also, a circle of people who have my back. It also did a miracle by healing the scars which had been tormenting me for years." - Sweta Dash.

The Accidental Blogger - Sonalin Dikshit

"I passed out as a Civil Engineer from KIIT University in 2014. My parents always kept me limited to academics and away from creative things because they wanted to secure my future. I always stayed away from smart phones and hence, social media never lured me. I had a feature phone which was only used to make calls to home.

I got my first smart phone in 2019, but being stuck in the corporate rat race I couldn't explore much into it. Unfortunately, I met with a road accident and underwent an ACL reconstruction surgery which gave me a long time of bed rest.

Aware of my hidden creative side, my fiancé suggested me to open an Instagram account and post my clicks of good food and products. The basic aim was to keep myself busy with pictures and captions.

After brainstorming through a plethora of names, we landed on 'Crisps & Colours'. The page which started as a leisure, with some lame and not so attractive pictures of food and products, is now a strong family of 11K. Gradually I improved the quality of my posts and started getting a good reach. Every picture is now processed through 5-6 apps to make it appealing for the audience.

Being associated with some reputed brands for campaigns is the best part of this journey. I want my Instagram family to have a smile, seeing the colourful stories and have a craving for the crispy foods that I share on my feed. A big thanks to the man who always helped me spread my wings and to all those who trusted me throughout." - Sonalin Dikshit