The Journey of Hunt

Life is not about chasing but it’s about living. All our life we live chasing things oblivious to
the fact that it’s the journey which makes life interesting and not the destination.

Madam Toastmaster, fellow members and my dear guests.

Today I stand before you to share the story of my journey so far in this mystical phenomena
called life. I am Subhasis and I was born in the year 1995 in a hilly area known for its natural
beauty and Asia’s largest and world’s seventh largest Aluminium production - Damanjodi,
Orissa

I had my early childhood in the National Aluminium Company township and then moved to
the city Bhubaneswar. My story would be incomplete without the story of my parents. My
father is a son of a teacher, and he always dreamt of becoming an engineer but since my
grandfather couldn’t afford it, he managed to do private teaching profession in order to
achieve his dreams and later turn out to complete his management from IIAM Indore. He has
always helped me share his experience on how to utilize tools precisely and judiciously for
betterment of self and society.

Now lets go back to the age when I was not so tall as a kid. School days at DPS went away
very playfully and along with that my studies also went on like a breeze without any pressure
from any sorts. And I was also very lucky to study in a school where co-curricular activities
has been given equal importance as on with academics. And I feel they have value for
lifetime. And talking about studies the most hatred subject in school was English. No wonder
it’s the lowest scoring subject in all classes but the irony was I inherit family of teachers. And
many people wouldn’t believe me seeing my English scores. I stand on the collaboration to a
popular saying in Odia “Brahmana pua maha murkha” means that the pandits son is the
biggest stupid.

During my childhood I developed a fascination for mobiles. When I was 8 years old we got
the first mobile at home. Those were the days when phone book capacity was limited to 50
and I really loved playing games like Snake II where I use to make the snake as large as
possible. One of the main thing which I have gained from this fascination is path towards
engineering.

As I drove to 10th standard, people began saying “Beta if you study well, your life is going to
change”. I really believed them, I studied really hard and cleared 10th in a good percentage,
but than I quickly realized the amazing life which people said is not nearer.

Than I started my preparation for 11th and 12th standard and people again said “If you do well
in 12th your life will be bright”. Though I realized that I am not very intelligent, I studied,
worked day and night, burning the midnight oil and finally I was in to Odisha's reputed
educational institution KIIT Bhubaneswar, to pursue my interest for studies in Electronics
engineering.

The life at college has been spectacular. One thing which blew me away in the first few
months of the college, is the different varities and types of people, who are there, with varied
interests. I am also really lucky to make some of my best friends there in college would be
there for lifetime. College also gave me immense potential to whole my hobbies and skills. I
discovered social responsibility as my passion and later were able to accomplish 3 lake
restoration project and several awareness programs.
One downside of me observed in college, I used to get very angry and frustrated over tiniest
of the things and my friends fondly used to call me Subhasis 2.0.
When actually I am not fun anymore at that moment. For all the past 6 months in Bangalore I
am regularly doing yoga and meditation. Thanks to Art of Living program. So I am able to
keep my Subhasis 2.0 at bay.

In the final year of college, these people again started saying “Beta if you do well in
placements, you will get a good job and your life will be settled”. Again believed them, done
good with placements and than landed at a decent/good job at Cognizant.

After coming out of the cocon of the college into this real-world, I realized that life just started
and this is just a beginning. And people are not even quite now, they say “beta if you do well
in your work, your career will be successful and will get good wife”.

Now connecting the dots backward from the place where I am standing now, I feel and I
believe in Randy Pausch quote from his last lecture that life shouldn’t be lived as a pursuit of
happiness but as a celebration of happiness. So life is not just a discrete collection of points
but it’s a whole line which defines the journey of life. And looking forward to future I have
many dreams and aspirations like everyone of you here and I really don’t know the path to
reach them but all I know is that it starts with a small step like I have taken it today.

Thank you.