Born in a modest family in Kolkata, if there has been one challenge that has been a constant supporter, it will be the financial condition of the family. No, I did not belong to a BPL family or had faced any of the extreme challenges that they face. I belong to a lower-middle class family. My parents have always ensured to do their best to offer a smooth lifestyle for me. This is one challenge that an illogical and over-sensitive boy back in school had created for himself, more in his mind than in reality. Or maybe, it was actually as real as could be….? All I know is that it has been one strong competitor, loyal to have stuck around for so long.
I have always been an over-thinker since I took my first breath probably, and have always been majorly affected by small happenings around me (which I should have ignored then). Seeing my dad come back everyday from office: tired, grumpy and showered in sweat; had a big impact on me since I was in junior school. There was always an undertone of financial shortages in the single room we shared. I gave this a deep seat in my area of grey cells. They could have easily afforded a tub of popcorn at a movie hall, had it not been for me giving it up internally before even asking them for one. Something which started at such a small level grew up with me. Being always overly cautious about my money spends, I gave up on a lot of things my friends would do. I remember not joining a particular subject tuition in class 8, just to save money. I would take notes from my friends and do it on my own. Knowing that my elder brother had a loose hand with cash, I took it upon me to compensate for him as well (something I have never shown/told anyone until this article gets published).
Right after class 12, I had wanted to pursue my graduation from DU. Something which again never saw the light of day. I never spoke about it to anyone, knowing very well how it would create additional burden for my family. During the same time, my brother had left for his MBA from NMIMS, Mumbai. His expenditure grew manifold and the burden of his loan concerned my parents more and more. Although, I never really did anything that would comfort them,but my silent observation affected me and my habits immensely. I made sure I went to St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, and made the most out of my 3 years there. Being a part of various societies and activities and being involved in organising fests and events right from my first-year onwards, was an attempt in this regard as well (another big challenge in itself, owing to my introvert nature and difficulties in settling in this new environment; but that was not an option this time). Three years passed, and I secured one of the best placements my college had to offer. It was with Axis Bank in Mumbai and I was over the moon, as my call log also kept me busy. I was really proud of me! After much discussion with my family, we finally decided to let this dream job offer go and look for other opportunities in Kolkata itself. It would be a really big financial concern if I too left for Mumbai, considering the magnitude of rise in expenses that the city demanded. One of those decisions you always look back to, and introspect if that would have made all the difference!
With all said, and I can go on and on with my varied experiences, I would like to add that this has never affected me in a negative way. If not anything else, it has made me a stronger person and helped me mature as an adult over the years. Overcoming all the financial hurdles throughout, I kept on pursuing my passion and here I am at TAPMI, exemplifying exactly what I have just said and strongly believe in.
