Somewhere in West Bengal, lived a little boy named Subho. A simple and jovial kid, he was always busy with his friends and family. Like all other children of his village, he too attended school and got the opportunity to participate in all ‘Ankan Pratiyogita’ (drawing competition), which the school organised. A bunch of coveted prizes, lined up beautifully on the wooden rack of his home, were testimonial of his excellent drawing skills and made his parents very proud. From early days of schooling, year after year, Subho won prizes for his excellent drawing skills. 

In fact, some of his fellow students were even envious of him. But deep within his heart, Subho had a hidden desire to participate in ‘kobita-avritti’ (poem- recitation) competition and to win the first prize for it. It was a dream quite close to his heart, which he had not discussed with anyone. Tucked away in hidden corners of the field, or in the jungle nearby, he secretly practised the art of poem recitation, but each time he stood up to recite a poem, he failed miserably. No matter how hard he tried, success always eluded him.

After completing his primary schooling, he came to town to join another school for his higher studies. But his unfulfilled desire to win a prize for poem recitation remained with him. He came across children who are much younger to him and were participating in the very contest, which he aspired to win. Witnessing their way of recitation, which was quite brilliant, his desire to participate got fuelled and propelled him to plead with his teachers for permitting him to participate.

 Witnessing their way of recitation, which was quite brilliant, his desire to participate got fuelled and propelled him to plead with his teachers for permitting him to participate.

But as the fate would have it, he was denied permission for participating in the poem recitation contest was instead referred to be participate in the drawing competition.

With heavy heart, burning with pain and anger he decided to vent all his emotions on a piece of paper, eventually transforming it into an excellent piece of art. Consequently, he was awarded with the first prize!  It was that day, that Subho realised a great truth of his life, or per se, everyone’s life, i.e., don’t run after the qualities, abilities and skills you don’t have to succeed in your life but harness the ones with which you have been gifted all along, your very own inherent potential. Success will follow you eventually.

This incident and realisation led me so far in my life. It has helped me in realising my true potential and identifying my goals.

And now here I am in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, working tirelessly as a Sampark Spark to help children like me realise their true potential and learn in a joyful environment.