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Susmita Maiti

My Quest for Purpose in Kolkata

To me, accomplishment is not the fulfilment of goals set in life. Rather, it is about finding purpose. If we flip back to my previous life in the city that it was, we would find that it did not open its eyes to life, its diverse people, or, most importantly, my path.
In 2017, I was focusing on my studies. This was close to the time when I used to reside at Amheer Street, near College Street. Though I felt each and every day was ordinary by going to classes, one evening changed all of this. I was coming out of my college when a little girl, not more than 9 or 10 years old, came up and clutched my hand. I was confused. I asked her what she wanted. She asked for a notebook in a feeble voice.
I was taken aback. People usually ask for food or money, but a notebook? Curious, I spoke to her and learned that she lived on the streets near my college. Her notebook had been ruined in the rain, and she wanted to draw but couldn’t afford another one. That day, I took her to a nearby shop and bought her a new notebook, but that night, sleep eluded me. I couldn’t stop thinking about her situation.
Days turned into a week, and I knew I had to act. I shared my concerns with my professors, who were the only ones I felt could help. My principal at St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission College encouraged me to develop a long-term solution for these children. With support from my professors and friends, we founded a school for underprivileged kids, naming it “RODDUR,” meaning "Sunshine." Our mission became clear: “Every child deserves a bright future full of light that can show the pathway to someone else.”
The journey of the Roddur Foundation began on December 25, 2017, with just five college students and four professors. Fast forward to today, and we have over 100 students from various age groups, receiving education free of cost, on weekends at our college. Our professors teach them not just academic subjects but also vital lessons on women's rights, equality, and other social issues.
As I stand here in 2024, witnessing the growth of these children, I realize my success is defined by their achievements. Each step they take toward a brighter future is the greatest accomplishment of my life. The joy I feel watching them thrive is immeasurable, and it fuels my passion to continue this mission.

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