Rajesh Subburaj, 26
Rajesh wanted to help the poor. So, when he joined as a branch head in a rural bank, he thought he would be able to do it. But, he was disillusioned very soon. He found himself in the monotonous rut of profit-making. It took him years to realise he was not enjoying his profession. “I was in a firm that was just like any other money-making business venture. And, I decided to I quit.” Rajesh has joined the Aziz Premji University to pursue developmental studies. “I find the course structure dynamic. Moreover, I was thrilled that I could work with the top NGOs and environmentalists of the country. I want to get a solid foundation in social work which I will gain only through a structured course.”
Rajesh knows he will not be able to enjoy the same level of financial security, which he had as a banker. “But I can manage my life by cutting down on extravagances. I will make enough money to run a family. And, I do not feel it is a sacrifice. You only need to change your lifestyle.”
Shyam Kumar, 23
Shyam Kumar quit his job as a software engineer and decided to go in for higher studies. The world of artificial intelligence excited him; he has applied to foreign universities to pursue his Master’s in this field. “If you need to carve out a niche for yourself, you have to specialise in your chosen field of study,” says Shyam.
Shyam worked for six months. But in this short period, he realised that he was missing out on some of the most exciting technological advancements. “The whole world is changing. Technologies are getting a lot more cutting-edge. I feel I need international exposure.”
Shyam started finding his office job monotonous, so he quit a job that was paying him an impressive salary. He says, “There are so many engineering colleges in the country churning out graduates, every year. If one has to make a mark, you have to acquire in-depth expertise. Just a degree does not suffice these days.”
He knows he is taking a risk, but says: “I am young enough to survive it.”
Rohit Chinna, 25
Rohit Chinna had everything he could ask for when he worked as a marketing head in his uncle’s company in Dubai. “I had a luxury car. I earned nearly a lakh a month. But I was not happy.” He missed his hobby of photography and couldn’t find time for it. My camera was lying around, totally useless.” So he took a break and came down to Coimbatore and became a freelance photographer and documentary film maker.
He has applied for a Masters’ in film making at University of Toronto. Being a visual communication student, he has always harboured dreams of becoming a film maker. “I want to become an independent director. But, you have to do a proper course and be more qualified,” says the student of Dr. GRD College of Science.
A sound financial background is necessary to take risks in life, he says. But one also needs a supportive family.
But, Rohit says he will never give priority to luxury over passion. “I love what I do and that is any day more valuable than earning more money.”
Thapasia Baktavatsalam, 23
Thapasia joined in a firm as a civil engineer eight months ago. That’s when she knew her passion lay in not constructing and making plans for buildings but in the creative work of designing it. “I realised I wanted to be an architect,” she says. She quit her job and applied for a Master’s in interior designing from a university in Portsmouth, U.K.
“I found there was a deep disconnect between what I learnt and what I did when I became a professional, says Thapasia, who is a graduate of Kumaraguru College of Engineering and Technology. It was a total contrast from the course she pursued in college. “It was just calculations and rod detailing. I did not find that interesting, at all.”
She realised she wanted to go beyond the world of brick and mortar. “I realised my true passion lies in interior designing, the creative part of building and not just in its construction.” Says Thapasia, “Everyone should take a risk to follow their dream. It is never too late.”
