My Story

"Be true to your feelings when expressing in words. Let your heart touch other hearts."

I believe creative souls are of a different breed, their minds constantly at work. In this life I am thankful to the creator for shaping my existence with a creative twist. Life is nothing but a collection of memories. If I have to write my story in a few words it would be a daunting task so let me instead attempt to encapsulate it in concise chapters for you.

Chapter 1: Curiosity

I was born and brought up in the quaint town of Berhampur, in Odisha, India. Coming from a middle-class family, I had a very humble upbringing that instilled in me the values of humility, hard work, and perseverance. I witnessed my parents work tirelessly to make ends meet, always prioritizing their children’s education. Both sets of my grandparents were extremely poor but intellectually rich and emotionally warm individuals.

Their influence likely contributed to the strong family bond, dedication to education, and deep appreciation for the intangible riches of love that I hold dear. Coincidentally, my birth date falls on Pi Day. Pi, being an infinite number, I believe has a direct relation to my curiosity, inquisitiveness, and pursuit of perfection. I have an uncanny ability to observe and understand the people around me, which perhaps influenced my decision to major in psychology followed by business management for my master’s degree.

In this chapter of curiosity, even after completing my degree from Berhampur University as the topper of my batch, I yearned for more to satisfy my artistic passion. Thus, I pursued a diploma in interior decoration for a year in Kolkata, India.  Although these days weren’t too long ago, societal expectations often revolved around daughters getting married after completing their studies.

Chapter 2: Known Unknowns

I call this next chapter “Known Unknowns” because I knew the pages were written with many unknown facts that I couldn’t skip. I had a traditional arranged marriage in India. For those unfamiliar, it involves parents and relatives exchanging information about potential candidates and matching astrological horoscopes, before entertaining the idea of the prospects to meet in person.

If they like each other, they proceed with the marriage. By this point so much due diligence is done by relatives that prospects often have less room to decline. Looking back mine was a similar case, a perfect plot for a movie! I didn’t know anything about my husband, but I count my blessings today and believe that marriages are made in heaven.

My husband had already started his career in the US by then where I moved after marriage. While I was very thankful for this opportunity I was very much aware that life in a foreign land could be quite isolating. Soon I realized he is an entrepreneur who does not have 9am-5pm but has a 24-hour job with his start-up company at that time. So he convinced his newly married wife to enroll in further studies so that he could focus on work.

That earned me another MBA degree with additional specialization from Bentley University, MA.  Life is all about choices. What we choose determines our future. So as I finished my degree, I had the choice to accept a job and get into the habit of money-making machines. It was during this time that I instead made a conscious decision to live within the means my husband’s salary could afford to focus on raising children. I dedicated myself to parenting full-time which led to the next chapter of my life, Parenthood. 

Chapter 3: Parenthood

I became a full-time mother and caregiver for my family. All my theoretical knowledge gained from child psychology, MBA and interior decoration helped me shape my managerial role as a mother. Trust me all of the education is well-spent. I’m fortunate to have a supportive husband who recognizes and values my role in his life. Raising children is a shared responsibility, and we both made a deliberate choice in defining our roles.
Parenthood broadens our perspectives and fosters humility, helping us better understand others. Parents must be mindful of their actions and decisions to be a role model for their children. Children’s minds are highly receptive during their formative years, and rich childhood experiences lay a strong foundation. As long as children are at home, how parents behave in the domestic environment is crucial.

Nurturing kind, compassionate, and caring future human beings demands dedication. It’s akin to tending to a tree for years before it bears fruits and flowers. So consciously I didn’t do a corporate job and instead raised two and a half kids. In case readers are wondering what is a ‘half kid’, I am referring to my husband who demands attention like a kid.
In this chapter, I enjoyed the countless hours of Learning and growing with them, while doing a permanent Uber mom job. Now, both my daughters have left the nest, armed with degrees, cultural values and jobs, ready to make a positive impact in the world I can only be a friend and mentor when they need me.

From this chapter one important lesson I learned. Mothers need to understand that a child is not their property; rather, a gift from God entrusted to their care until they can stand on their own to fulfill their responsibilities. Loving children unconditionally, without expectations, is not always easy, but it is something one must learn.

Chapter 4: Giving Back

Fast forward to the next chapter, which I call “Giving Back”. I see my role as more than just homemaking – I’m a passionate poet/writer and a compassionate social entrepreneur. Who I am today is because of what I have received from society. A beautiful analogy once led me to realize that the fruit-bearing tree I enjoy today was planted by my grandparents or parents. This means I need to plant mine for future generations. This analogy holds true for many aspects of life.

After my daughters left for college, my empty nester chapter began with writing poetry in multiple languages. It then spilled to writing blogs filled with travel experiences, inner quests, bringing awareness for social causes and many more forging a meaningful connection with my inner self to the outer world.

My husband, a lifelong entrepreneur, once asked me about the purpose of my writing. It made me think deeply. Should I be content with writing as a source of personal happiness, or could I do something more significant with it? The disruptive changes brought about by the pandemic allowed me to explore this further.

So, the second act of my life started with promoting and supporting social causes. I began creating jobs with my poetry by composing them into songs and videos, supporting weavers with handloom projects, lending my voice for audiobooks, financing someone to print classics, or simply sharing my reflective thoughts to engage others in their introspection. In whichever small way possible, I dedicate my valuable time to meaningful endeavors, giving back to society.

Beyond the horizon

( Passion, Purpose, Attitude and Philanthropy )

This chapter is a miscellaneous chapter and undertone for all other chapters. Learning is a continuous process, whether one is a mother, homemaker, writer, or social worker. While passion and purpose in life are essential, having the right attitude is key. Dreaming big is important, but anchoring those dreams with a dose of reality is equally crucial. Educational degrees cannot always provide answers to all our questions; we need to seek our own answers.

We are all born with unique talents, but talent takes its own course to sprout. I enjoyed writing from childhood, but I didn’t realize the depth of my passion until later. Over time, I have found solace in writing, and I am pleased to see my growth and evolution. My passion is aligning with a greater purpose. I often say that there is a treasure trove within everyone, along with a hidden key for it. Discovering that key to unleashing our true potential can gradually bring deeper meaning to life, and this has certainly been true for me.

My writing and philanthropy are deeply intertwined, reflecting my core values of compassion, authenticity, and social responsibility.Through my words, I strive to paint vivid imagery that evokes deep emotions and stirs spiritual curiosity. I believe that as a writer, I serve as a conduit for expressing universal thoughts, and anything that emanates from the heart is bound to resonate with others. My ultimate goal is to share experiences that foster understanding, empathy, and connection, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

- Manorama Choudhury

More about me

Answers to questions I am asked more often..