I am Anupam Chatterjee, YMD Deputy Dist. Chief of the Howrah District and practicing the Daishonin’s Buddhism for the past 7yrs.
I was born and brought up in Patna. When I shifted to Kolkata on 5th January, 2004 with the aim of getting a job and settling down here, I was enrolled into the BCA+MCA integrated course of IGNOU and had two mathematics papers of BCA and a few papers of MCA pending.
Although, I was an undergraduate, getting into a job was not very difficult on account of my additional qualifications and previous working experience. I immediately got a break into a MNC and was able to balance somehow, work with my studies. Due to the hectic schedule, I started backsliding in faith and my practice was finally reduced to chanting just three daimoku before going to sleep every night.
It was towards the end of May, 2004. I was struck with the worst emotional crisis of my life. Fearing the worst, my parents rushed to Kolkata to be by my side. My father had to wind up his well established business to do so. But, the worst was inevitable as I sank into neural depression.
The next one year was the worst phase of my life as my treatment continued. In the meantime, I had lost my job, could not even remember the last time I had touched a book and moreover, had put on more than 20 kilos of weight. One morning, in a semi awakened state, the memories of my days in Patna, when I used to do Kosen Rufu activities regularly were flashing in my mind. The words of our then chapter chief echoed within my memories. He had taken a promise from me, the last day we had been out together for a home visit, that no matter what, I will never give up on faith. It was as if I had woken up from a nightmare, in an instant, I realized what a great slander, I had committed by abandoning faith. I was desperate to make amends. Hence, I did not even bother about the time and called up one of my leaders in Kolkata at 5:00am in the morning.
The very next day, I was visited by leaders and members from my district. Over the past 24hrs, I had already taken up the determination for devoting my life to Kosen Rufu and was earnestly chanting for forgiveness to the Gohonzon. I took up the contacts of members from my block and for the next few months, made it a point to visit each member at least once every week. And participate in all activities.
Since neither me, nor my father were working for over a year, our financial condition had detoriated a lot. But, winter was fast transforming into spring for me. I got a break in Xponse Technologies Ltd, as a Team Leader. My joy knew no bounds when I was appointed as the YMD Block Chief of the North Howrah Block and was able to attend the leaders training course in Delhi. Lady luck had also started smiling upon me. Towards the end of the year, I was able to enshrine my Gohonzon. Moreover, my interest in studies was also coming back.
I was able to clear the remaining MCA papers along with the final project with good grades but failed to do so with the Mathematics papers of BCA in the next two attempts. Finally, it came down to the last attempt in December, 2006. Hence, I took up tuitions and stated preparing accordingly.
One morning during the third week of October, 2006, while I was getting ready for office, my nose started bleeding profusely. What followed was another nightmare, as I was forced to take complete bed rest for almost a month and then finally had to undergo a surgery for Septal Angeoma on the 17th of November. Studies were again at a complete standstill, with less than a month to go before the examinations. Moreover, it was clear by this time, that I was also having a major problem with my relationship karma as I lost someone closest to me just the day prior to my operation.
The Seeds of Change exhibition was round the corner and I took up the determination, that I would not let my emotional problems, health problems or examinations be a hindrance or excuse in the path of contributing to the event. For the next three days, I was running around all the places between Bally to Chandannagar and Dankuni, distributing invitations to all the major schools.
On 15th of December, with just two days left for my exams, I escorted H.M. Educations, a school from Hindmotor throughout their trip to the exhibition. My prayers were being answered and I was experiencing tremendous life force, which enabled me to study till late hours and again from early morning despite of the hectic schedule throughout the day.
I received another tremendous protection a few months back when Xponse Technologies was found to be involved with some international drug scam and was abruptly shut down. Even the senior employees had to face a lot of harassment. But fortunately, I had already shifted to the Joint Venture of one of the leading IT Companies of Europe only a few months prior to this event.
Further, I am happy to report, 3 weeks back, my results came out and I passed with flying colors. Now, I am a qualified MCA. I further report, that I have also been promoted within my Company and with a major improvement in my financial karma, I have been able to fulfill last week one of my fathers most cherished dreams of owning a car, which I mainly intend to use for the purpose of Kosen Rufu.
I now determine to strengthen my studies further and prove myself to be a worthy disciple of my mentor by struggling alongside all the YMD’s of my district in fulfilling each of their dreams and converting Howrah into a major Chapter by the year 2009.
Thank you!
