From Village to Corporate: Sayan Siuli’s Journey with Mukti TSS

Today I am here to write my success story as a beneficiary of the Mukti Talented Student Scholarship program. I am not very sure whether to call myself successful or not, but yes, I will write a few words depicting Mukti’s role and the changes it has brought about in my life.

First, let me explain the background. The primary character in this story is a boy born in the village of Jaugram, which is around 37 km from Bardhaman, the nearest town. That village is inherently beautiful, but the people who live there are not well off. Most inhabitants in that village work as farmers or construction workers. You can get an idea of the conditions there from the fact that most of my primary school acquaintances quit their education between grades 8 and 12 and are now working as construction workers in several states, with the majority of the girls being married off. They cannot be blamed – if basic sustenance is at stake, then education actually becomes a luxury. Only a lucky few got the chance at an education.

By my good fortune, I was one of these few. The first factor that enabled this was the fact that my parents accorded the highest priority to education, over everything else, for both me and my older sister. I feel truly privileged to have them as parents. My total family income was less than Rs. 10,000. Now that I look back, I’m shocked that they were able to afford education for us. I know, I’m getting off track here, since I’m writing to tell you about my relationship with Mukti. But like with any story, knowing the backstory is essential; otherwise, it will make no sense.

Coming from that background, you cannot emerge in a good place without the grace of the Almighty. It’s as if no matter how much you or your parents want a decent quality education, you’ll need money, assistance, or an opportunity. Fortunately, I was given that opportunity and got admitted to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Durgapur. Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) is a system of central schools for talented students predominantly from rural areas in India, targeting gifted students who lack access to accelerated learning due to financial, social and rural disadvantages.

It was an outstanding initiative by the government, and it may be considered my first step towards becoming a better human resource and living a pleasant life. I studied there till the tenth grade.

Then I got another opportunity, and I was selected as a Dakshana Scholar. Dakshana Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded by Mr. Mohnish Pabrai, gives educational help to economically underprivileged and gifted children in India. It focuses on preparing students for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) entrance exam through coaching and mentorship. The foundation strives to empower bright individuals to achieve success in their academic and professional pursuits, eventually contributing to the development of India.

 I received world-class entrance examination coaching there, and on my first try, I was admitted to IIEST Shibpur for engineering. Until that point, others had funded my whole education, including my books, notebooks, and even my food and lodging expenditures. Everything changed in college; while I was not required to pay tuition, extra expenses arose, making it tough for my family. It was difficult to survive in that environment. We needed help. I found that help from Prof. Dulal Kumar Mondal of Jadavpur University, who guided and motivated me during these difficult times using his words, assurances, and his own narrative of accomplishment. He guided me to apply for Mukti TSS, and fortunately, it was approved. This is how the blessing known as Mukti entered in my life.

Mr. Nirmalendu Dutta was assigned as my sponsor, and he has helped me throughout my journey since then. I hadn’t met him yet, but his drive, blessings, love, and financial support had a huge impact on my life. Sir is situated in the United Kingdom, but he has a sister, Madame Sikha Datta, in India, and she has been my primary point of contact with them till now. She was present at every moment since that day. Madam and her husband treated me with an affection that I could not have imagined. They even invited me to their home, and I went there expecting to appear for an interview. To my astonishment, I was greeted warmly and affectionately. They taught me about life and how to thrive in this ever-changing educational and job market climate while also being a nice human being. They were there when I needed them most.

In the interim, I changed colleges; I was admitted to IIT Kharagpur on my second attempt, and they welcomed the change and continued to support me until the end of my college. From there, I earned a dual degree in ocean engineering and naval architecture, and got a job through campus placement in 2023. One more thing I’d like to mention is that Mukti offered me an internship during the lockdown, which they paid for. Imagine you are already receiving scholarships from someone and being paid for voluntary work.

Now I work in the corporate sector as a data analyst/ business analyst for Air India’s Digital and Technology department. I currently reside in Gurgaon.

It was an up-and-down journey. I’d like to thank everyone that came into my life. I want to thank Mukti, especially Mr. Shankar Haldar, for creating such an excellent forum for both the needy and those ready to help. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Nirmalendu Dutta and his family, as well as Madam Sikha Dutta and her family, for their support. And I look forward to receiving the benefits of their guidance in the future. I want to be like them and make a significant difference in someone’s life. I want to be a good person. I wish to be linked to Mukti throughout my life and hope to be a part of their good acts.

I have miles to go and see a lot, but till now this has been it. And thank you, reader, for listening to my story.