An Engineer’s Transformative Journey as a proud social worker
I am Subhajit Maity, a social worker, a PRASARIAN. However, this introduction was never a part of my aspirations before August 26, 2022. Armed with a B.Tech graduate, my initial dream was to become a Software Developer at Google. Early in my educational career, I displayed fluency in three programming languages and ventured into building websites.
At that time, the realm of social development was unfamiliar to me. It wasn’t until the final year of college that I found myself participating in the campus selection process of PRASARI. During the organization’s introduction, it was revealed that the initial month involved staying in a village, merely exploring village life. Having grown up in a village, I anticipated this to be an effortless experience, with the initial thought of using the time to prepare for Google’s selection process while receiving compensation, crucial with the approaching Durga Puja season.
I was selected and commenced my journey with PRASARI on August 20, 2022, being sent to “The Ranga Matir Desh” in Birbhum, the birthplace of Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore, for a month-long village stay. However, the term “village” invoked images of my hometown, not preparing me for the more rural setting I was about to encounter. Initially, my mood was subdued, but as the days progressed, I became acquainted with the villagers.
On the afternoon of August 26, I sat with a few “didis,” engaging in a discussion about their culture. Suddenly, I questioned them, “Didi, what is your planning for Durga Puja?”. The reply mirrored, “Brother! We find joy in very small things. And you’re asking us about our plans for Durga Puja, Brother, we don’t even know whether we can get our lunch on the next day or not.”. This line completely changes my world. This revelation marked a turning point, making me realize that my dreams were akin to virtual illusions.
From that day forward, I abandoned my preparations for Google’s selection process. Before me lay a golden opportunity to engage in realistic work that could bring happiness not only to me but also to the souls of others. The newfound perspective fueled my dream to work for the betterment of rural India. I dedicated myself to learning the skills necessary for small-scale development in my community.
Believe me, now didi’s genuine smiles became more precious to me than anything else in the world. The satisfaction derived from being the reason behind those smiles surpassed any other feeling. Thanks to PRASARI for giving me the opportunity to work independently in my community. As I pen down this journey, I reminisce about those crucial one month of village study. Without that experience, I might never have discovered the real dream of my life.
Today, I proudly introduce myself as Subhajit Maity, a social worker, a PRASARIAN. It’s essential to remember that social work is not merely a choice; it’s a duty that brings forth unparalleled fulfillment.
