My determination as my strength

My Determination as my Strength

I am Varsha, from Bihar, recently graduated from university of Calcutta, here I would like to share my story on “Determination” I was going through LinkedIn and I found this platform to share my struggles in life.

I came to Kolkata from a small town to pursue my studies and to enjoy my young adult life. After 1 year, I suddenly thought of earning and learning as I was passionate about cooking, paintings, dancing, and singing. I decided that I was going to take up cooking as my profession and open a restaurant.

I discussed with my parents and friends to know what they thought of my idea and no doubt, my friends supported me, but my parents did not want me to get involved in any kind of business. But because of my determination and the support of my mother and friends. I started this business and named it “VARSHA VEG KITCHEN“.

Unaware of the struggles which were ahead of me I started the restaurant without having enough budget to run it. I managed to collect around Rs. 50,000 to meet all the expenses of rent, furniture, labour cost, material cost, and other petty cash in mind. With this, I decided to learn and earn.

Days passed and we did not have proper management of labour and it was a total disaster. After 5 months I had a debt of Rs. 3 lacs. So, I prepared myself to shut down but I couldn’t tell my mother and my family about this debt because of my mother’s constant love and support and my father’s warning from the beginning. I did not have more than Rs. 50 in my pocket and I was completely in despair.

During this period, it was so hard to live with an ongoing debt and other expenses as I was only 19 at that time and I was not old enough to handle my debt and studies simultaneously. I was unable to tell my father because he had asked me to manage all my expenses since I owned a restaurant and earned from it. I went under depression as I had no one to share my thoughts and feelings with, no friends nor loved ones. Then, one fine day I decided to share my feeling with my mother, as my mental health and economic condition was deteriorating.

So finally, I focused on clearing my debt with any sacrifice that I had to make as I had a strong determination. I had to quit shopping, outing, exploring, etc., with my friends to minimise my expenditure. I changed my room for a minimum rent, and had no android phone, only around 2-3 pairs of clothes and I did not buy any new clothes, no fun with friends because of my commitment to repay the debt. I lost my smile and cheerful attitude of “the old me” and “happy me”. Without graduation I was unable to get a good job. But eventually with lots of searching and patience and determination, I finally got a job which paid me Rs. 7000/- so things got a bit better. I just ate only 1 chapati and bread during the snack time in my office. I usually moved away from the places where the employees had their lunch.

Finally, with my earnings, I was able to repay all my debts.

It has been two years, I closed my restaurant, I lost the best part of my life like, fun, outing, college life but I have the satisfaction and fulfillment that I did what I loved and loved what I did. I was happy myself that I was able to accomplish and learn from my mistakes.

Now, I am an HR Professional and working in an Animation Company and my passion, confidence, determination, and thoughts are a part of my past, which helped me to make the right decisions and learned that if you are wrong, you will be the “only one” to solve your problems. Just keep a strong determination and never give up.

Impact of global pandemic on the youth

20/06/2020 No Comments

Youth are the growth factor for any country. They form a large portion of the population. India is one of countries where youth are in abundance. But due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, life has come to a standstill. Lockdown has damaged the economy and its adverse effects are felt by our youth. The unemployment rate is increasing at a jaw dropping rate. In the past three months youth of every country across the globe have lost their jobs. Companies have laid off a huge number of employees to cut down the costs and sustain in the market. Lots of youth who have retained their jobs despite facing huge pay cuts in salaries. Some of them have availed loans for various purposes. Many of them have taken up EMI schemes. But due to the Coronavirus they have lost their livelihood. They are not able to pay the loans and pay interest. For some, the situation is so dire that it has led them to commit suicide. Depression has taken deep roots in their life also affecting their loved ones.

The Awakening

19/06/2020 No Comments

I am Namita. (name changed) I lost my father when I was 18. I have a brother who is elder to me. I have completed my teacher training program and worked in School as a teacher. After a few years of experience, members of my family forced me to get married. In April 2018 I tied the knot with the person chosen by my family. In the beginning, life was very pleasant and smooth going. We went out in the evenings, had food outside, met friends and relatives. I felt very happy and thanked my mother for choosing the right person for life. As days passed, my husband started behaving strangely and showing his real character. but I did not change my attitude towards him. I tolerated everything and I lived with him. Then one fine day, like bolt from the blue, I got a call from a lady that my husband has an extramarital relationship with her for the last 7 years. Then I was shocked and felt very bad but even then I did not change my attitude and I loved him sincerely despite the fact which I was told on the telephone and continued to live with him. Then he started punishing me with physical torture as well as mental torture. I told him that I was pregnant thinking with this news he would stop torturing me but it was different. He tortured me more and more and I had a miscarriage. But in spite of all these atrocities I stayed with him and continued working in the school After some time, he forced me to leave the job but begged him to allow me to continue in the school. But again he started to give a lot of mental and physical torture to me. Then finally I decided to resign and came back to my mother. I did not lose heart nor did I worry about my past. I then decided to stand on my own legs with Education “the greatest asset” my parents had given me. I thought to myself why I should waste my life for a person who has no feelings, it is not worth it. I got a good job in a school and continuing as a teacher, enjoying with little children, forgetting all my past, dedicating my life to these children who are the future of our country. Thank you Secret Sharz for providing some space for persons like me to share all our problems with full confidence.

Relationships

18/06/2020 No Comments

I was about 15 years old when I got into my first one sided relationship. It was not a great one. The girl got to know and she said it was not going to go anywhere. I used to lie a lot during this time.