Jasminder Singh Oberoi wanted to be a doctor but destiny had other plans. Not being too interested in the practice of medicine, he got himself a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. “In those days either you could become a doctor or an engineer. Anything else was a taboo; forget something out of the box like photography,” says Oberoi who climbed the ladders of the corporate world for the next few years only to realise he was headed for lots of money with zero satisfaction. Fifteen years into the job, he thought life was too short to not live on his own terms. That was when he got out his camera and began to click again. And today many others are clicking with him.
“JAS Fotography and The Footmarks are two of my ventures in collaboration with Canon India wherein I organise and conduct photography workshops and photo tours (both national and international),” Oberoi says. But any success story is incomplete without its share of hiccups. “I was a victim of the typical crab mentality where society didn’t make my decision to break the stereotype any easier. Attitudes changed, behaviours worsened and many pretended to be too busy to take notice of what I was doing only to come back a few months later, congratulating me on my many endeavours,” says Oberoi.
Kabul Rishi’s story is similar. He was a professional Airbus pilot, but music motivated him to tread an unknown yet fulfilling path. “Singing is therapeutic and it resonates within my soul. It is the greatest way to communicate and makes me a very happy man at the end of the day,” says Rishi, absolutely unregretful about the choice he made. “Of course, some people did raise their eyebrows but it’s my life, not theirs, so I have complete liberty to do what I consider interesting,” he says. So whether it is sharing the stage with maestros like Shafqat Ali or singing in front of hundreds of music lovers, Rishi has enjoyed every bit of it. He is also someone who doesn’t make any future plans. “I was lost in love but found myself in music. People have started recognising my talent and it’s very encouraging,” says the young musician who has complete support from his family.
As does US-born Vineet Malhotra. After completing his MBA and a stint with Airtel, Malhotra quit his nine-to-five job to become a TV anchor. “Zee TV was coming up with a sports channel and I happened to audition with celebrity anchors like Roshni Chopra and Mandira Bedi. I got selected and the next thing I knew I was sharing the studio floor with Kapil Dev and Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi announcing Sachin Tendulkar’s return after an elbow injury for the Challenger Trophy,” says an excited Malhotra. But initially, the people around him tried to make things uncomfortable. “You can’t let them affect you. Be clear in your head and break the stereotypes,” he affirms. And challenges were aplenty. In his words, he was like a pilgrim in an unholy land. “I was new to the country, the sport, the channel, the people, the concepts but I was hell-bent on becoming a TV anchor. There was a lot of competition and it was extremely formidable,” says Malhotra who was not only competing with his peers but with people way more experienced than him. As he says, “You are only as good as you think of yourself to be.”
With the same thought, Rajat Bandopadhyay left his job in advertising after two decades to become a water colourist. Not letting the society bother him too much, Bandopadhyay decided to march forward and pursue his interests. “Society comprises people like us who believe in forming and influencing opinions. One has to prioritise and move on and that’s what I have done,” says the painter who feels that he is now doing complete justice to the life given to him by God. Born and brought up in Jamshedpur, Bandopadhyay has many fond memories of sitting besides Domohoni, where two swiftly flowing rivers, the Subarnarekha and Kharkhai, meet. “It made for a spectacular view and I would often head out there with nothing but my canvas,” he says. And the journey so far has been fantastic. The eastern parts of the world have whole heartedly acknowledged his work along with regular inputs and appreciation from seasoned artists who have encouraged him for reviving the lost art of water colours. “Today I feel like a free bird. I can visualise a green tree when it’s dead. I am not merely existing; I am living,” he says.
Another young man who made his passion a profession is Rishab Mathur, a young graduate from IIT Kharagpur who later joined a software firm. “I wanted to retire at 35. A job as an engineer couldn’t have made that possible. That’s why I decided to become an entrepreneur and give my serious liking for food a twist and that’s how ‘TBSP - A Tablespoon Of Taste’ was born which delivers healthy, home-cooked food with no minimum order limit,” says Mathur who is very pleased when guests put in a good word for his venture. “It all started one day when my soon-to-be wife was cribbing about the food offered at her canteen. Being avid mutton lovers, I decided to impress her by sending her a tiffin everyday. Many people liked the quality of the food and I decided to start a full time food business,” Mathur recalls.
Contrary to the norm, people were quite supportive in Mathur’s case. And why not? After all it was a convenient option for them as well. “An IIT graduate making bhaji didn’t go down with them very well initially but today they are happy,” he says.
While setting up the business or finding the right kind of management, Mathur did encountered his fair share of stumbling blocks. He is not ashamed to accept that opinions do matter to him but he is not the kind who would lose himself trying to please everybody.
So before your dreams become memories, give them a chance. All you need is that initial momentum; that one push to help you make the transition.