Journalism of Courage
Slowly but steadily parents are weaning away from engineering and medicine and encouraging their wards to chose careers more suited to their personalities and interests
Gandhaar Sangoram is a professional music composer,who had the option to become a chartered accountant (CA); Nirali Someshwar,an architect by training,runs a popular dance academy; Sanand Mitra,an MCA,is an international archer and entrepreneur and Varna Honnavar,though a civil services aspirant,is currently into event management.
Just some of the several such young people,this quartet had the option to go the conventional way and opt for a well-paying,settled job. However,they chose to tread the path less taken and were supported in their choice by their family. I was given the option of going in for commerce or science or training as a CA. However,once my parents saw my drive for music,they gave me their complete support, says Gandhaar Sangoram. In fact,my father also wanted to pursue music in his youth. My grandfather gave him the option of choosing music or journalism; he chose the latter. So,in a way,I feel,my father subconsciously wanted me to pursue music professionally and give my whole attention to it, he adds.
A similar chain of events led Nirali Someshwar,whos training to be an architect,to open a dance studio. My father wanted me to pursue architecture,and hes right when he says I must have a solid education to fall back upon. However,dance has always been my life and once my parents realised this,they supported me in every possible way, says Someshwar. Currently,she teaches more than 12 dance forms in her studio and says it was the best decision of her life. My parents have been so helpful that they have even modified our living room and converted it into a dance studio. The icing on the cake is that my studio is doing so well, she adds.
With the awareness that its best to allow children to pursue their chosen careers,however unconventional,dawning upon an increasing number of parents,the usual riff-raff associated with traditional/novel career choices is fast decreasing. As was the case with Sanand Mitra,an international archer,who pursued MCA before deciding to take to the bow,literally. After having excelled in national and international tournaments,Mitra decided to turn entrepreneur and set up a firm which supplies archery equipment around the country,apart from diversifying into several other fields. My parents gave me the confidence to follow my chosen career path. Theyve always been there for me and this has only contributed to my success, he adds.
What makes things easier in present times is the growing exposure of families to a whole new range of careers,apart from medicine,engineering and civil services. So,whether it is becoming a tattoo artist or venturing into event management,many parents are increasingly supporting their childrens selection of profession. Like in the case of Varna Honnavar,a civil services aspirant and a Geography Masters degree holder,who also does event management. My mother was categorical about having a Plan B and thats why Ive got solid educational qualifications under my belt. However,my family extended full support to me when I decided to get into event management. Ive justified their faith in me by giving this career my best shot, informs Honnavar.
