Long Live Failure

'Bow my head down beneath the dust of your feet.
Drown all my pride in the tears of my eyes.'
...Whenever I speak or write about myself, these two lines of the poet-sage remain engraved in my mind. This is how I love to see myself.

I am Priyadarshi Talukdar. My nickname is Priyo. I have come to tell you the story of my life. It is through losing countless times to life that I have reached where I am today. Stumbling again and again until both feet were bloodied, my heart has bled innumerable times. I will tell you the story of keeping myself alive and walking forward even when all of life's savings hit rock bottom.
Let us go back a decade from today. Back then I was still chasing my dreams like a madman. A full decade later, dreams now chase me. The one who once harbored no grand thoughts about himself now finds himself facing many wonderful possibilities without even asking. This journey was not easy. This journey was one of uncertainty. This journey was a fool's journey toward an unknown destination.
In studies, I was entirely mediocre. I didn't fail, but just barely passed. In the annual examination of class eight, I was outside the first fifty. That's nothing to speak of—anyone who sits for an exam achieves such a result. Somehow dodging failure, I moved up to class nine. My father had great hopes that I would study science. I had to become a doctor when I grew up—that was the sole purpose behind wanting me to study science. My parents believed: what's the point of coming into this world if you can't become a doctor or engineer? Yet today I know that none of those whom history recognizes as great were doctors or engineers. I didn't understand such things then, nor was I old enough to speak about them.
Following my father's wishes, I enrolled in science. My class results remained the same mediocre level. I didn't fail, but I didn't get good marks either. My father wasn't particularly upset about this. But sometimes, when he saw his son score around sixty in some subject, he would become happy, leave the house, and bring back a few pieces of rasgulla from Mahesh-kaku's shop in the neighborhood. That was it!
My father knows how to find joy in very little. I have seen him this way since childhood. Except for after my grandfather's death, I cannot recall ever seeing my father cry, let alone be unhappy. If someone had simply said to him, 'Naresh babu, fresh rohu fish is being cooked at home today. Come, have some fish and rice with me for lunch,' my father might not have gone, but he would remember that gentleman for the rest of his life. Making my father happy is that simple. I am the child of such a simple, honest man.
The test examination was over, results the usual mediocre. The SSC examination lay ahead. I had a long-standing dream: to see my good-hearted father happy for once. Nothing more than that. So I began studying very hard. My idea of studying hard might equal sleeping while reading for many others. But what could be done! My capacity for understanding was limited to that much!
I didn't cheat myself. I studied day and night. Since I couldn't retain what I studied, I had to spend more time reading. My father was very happy seeing me like this. Perhaps father's time for joy was coming. Father counted days in his dreams. Meanwhile, my efforts continued at full steam.
I studied so much, stayed awake night after night with my face buried in books, my health had broken down considerably...what happened next?
In the 2004 SSC examinations, I failed one subject. After failing, I became numb and stupefied with grief. It seems God does not give everything to everyone. Those who receive, receive even while sleeping; and those who don't, no matter what they do, simply don't receive. Whomever He chooses not to give, He simply doesn't give—no matter how hard they try! I am one such person. I failed Physics. Why I failed, I truly don't know. I didn't write an exam that deserved failure. My conscience bears witness, my father bears witness, my Creator bears witness. But what use is saying all this! If someone can pass even after writing an exam that deserved failure, then they didn't really write a failing exam! I failed, which means I simply failed. Perhaps a thousand excuses could be constructed behind this, but aside from some consolation, they have no other value. This is the rule!
The sky collapsed upon my small head. Father became speechless seeing my results. He wondered, how could my son fail despite studying so much! Poor man, he takes everything with a simple heart. Despite being so much older than me, he began thinking just like I did. How can a student fail after writing an exam that shouldn't have failed? Father simply refused to believe it!
To all parents, their children are the brightest, the best human beings. Even if I don't go that far, I can still say that while having great hopes about me might be questionable, hoping that I would at least pass—calling that the expectation of an excessively optimistic person would be unfair. I had truly studied! Alas, some people's results don't match their expectations, and some people simply cannot pass! Someone grieves for not getting eighty, while someone else cannot show their face to anyone for the shame of not even managing thirty-three. What different kinds of sorrows people have in this world!
I sank into despair. I was young, and my wisdom was even younger. After failing, I didn't have the mental strength to argue back, nor did I have my parents' cheerful faces before me. I began to feel that perhaps I really was a very weak student, that I had no talent, that trying would be of no use. I would never be able to do anything in life. A person who can achieve something in life, even if they can't achieve much, can at least pass an exam! I couldn't even do that! Oh, what a failed life one can have!
Inside, I was breaking apart terribly. I had disappointed such a simple man as my father so deeply! I began to sink into profound depression. When I was continuously crumbling like this, Father was beside me. Father never stayed dejected in front of me. He would always say with a smile, "Oh, people fail! This is nothing! Did you fail without studying? After studying so much, you'd get A+ naturally! I saw how many boys got A+ studying so much less than you! Actually, you know what, there's something called luck. We can't go beyond our luck. This was in your luck. Accept it. We cannot go beyond what's predetermined for us. I don't understand much, but from what little I do understand, I can say your life is arranged this way. What happened or what will happen ahead—it's all decided."
We'll never know until the time comes — neither you nor I. You study again, take the exam. You'll see, this time you'll succeed!
These words from Baba would completely cool my heart. Everyone needs such a person in life. Whoever finds one is truly blessed! All my guilt would simply vanish, replaced by a rush of courage. A disabled person needs a walking stick to move around. Baba was that walking stick for me. Still, worries would come! Even then I'd think, why not try once more? Life isn't over yet. It's just one bad result! Let me see what happens!
The next year, my head full of anxiety and intense sense of responsibility, I sat for the exam again. I passed from Kurigram Government Boys' High School with a 3.53 GPA. Not a result worth boasting about. And I'm not exactly a student worth boasting about either. Perhaps my result wasn't meant to be good. Not everyone gets good results, not everyone is born with the fortune to have results worth talking about. On top of that, next to "Student Type" on the certificate it said "Irregular," meaning I hadn't passed on the first try. What a terrible situation! I never even asked for flowers, yet they gave me thorns!
Since I kept getting poor results, everyone in the family became convinced that if I took the HSC exam in the general stream, I probably wouldn't be able to pass. Fearing this, relatives advised Baba not to put me in the general stream but rather in technical education. They said, "Nareshda, later the boy will blame you! He'll say, 'Maybe I was young then, didn't understand. But why didn't my father think about my future?'" Everyone had simply assumed that Priyar studies probably wouldn't advance much further, that his brain couldn't quite handle it — he tries, certainly, but just can't manage!
Meanwhile, Baba also thought that if I studied in the technical line, at least I could do something to earn my living. With a small job, if nothing else, my boy could at least manage two meals a day! What if he failed again after studying in the general stream? And HSC science is supposedly very difficult! Even good students can't handle it! Baba too felt: my Priyo tries, certainly, but just can't manage! Ah, trying but failing! What greater helplessness could there be!
But I didn't want to study in the technical line. Yet no one wanted to let me study in the general stream. Some even assumed I probably couldn't continue studying at all. Their advice was that Baba should remove me from studies and get me admitted somewhere for work! Baba said nothing to them. This wasn't the time to speak, only to listen and digest. Caught between the family's decision on one side and my wishes on the other, I stubbornly insisted I would get admission in both — both general and technical. When I dug in my heels, I really dug in! Seeing my fierce determination, Baba was somewhat alarmed and agreed.
I got admission at Kurigram Polytechnic Institute in the Refrigeration and Automobiles Department. I attended classes somewhat irregularly while continuing my HSC studies on the side. It required tremendous effort. I did put in the effort. What choice did I have! I had voluntarily taken this extra burden on my shoulders. But the technical line didn't appeal to me at all. I was continuing my studies quite against my inclinations.
Studying against one's inclinations isn't easy to sustain. Yet with great difficulty I continued with a foot in both boats. It was hard, but I didn't give up. Even under this extra pressure, I kept pulling both forward.
It was a time of great suffering.
I sat for the HSC examination under tremendous mental pressure and despair. And then? What happened to me afterward — that a student might need to be prepared to accept such a thing had never crossed my mind. In this life, I had never seen anyone fail so catastrophically. I had heard of people getting poor results, but that they could be this horrifically bad — if I hadn't witnessed it myself, I could never have believed it! In 2007, I took the HSC examination from Kurigram Government College and failed in every subject except Bengali. After receiving the results, rather than feeling sorrow, I was struck dumb with bewilderment. In SSC I had at least failed in one subject, but here I saw I had passed in only one! I didn't know what one was supposed to do after such results! Can a person really achieve such abysmal results even when trying?
People become poor students, that's fine, but to this extent? The moment a student fails to pass any subject except Bengali, how he continues to live — no one in this world knows except himself. It is living with unbearable torment! My father stared at me blankly. He didn't know what to say at such a time. My mother sat in the next room, crying quietly in secret. Neighbors, relatives — everyone began talking about me in various ways. What an opportunity they had been given today to say all sorts of things! It was time to listen quietly to their words. I began to feel more wretched than a worm in a gutter. I was so ashamed I wanted to dissolve into the earth even when standing before a mirror. How could a person be such a complete failure! Was I walking down some terribly wrong path?
My father didn't scold me, didn't let anyone come before me. Looking at my father's steady gaze, I was crumbling to pieces. Father placed his hand on my head and stroked it. In a very calm voice he said, "Dear son, these things happen, don't feel bad. You did try, you worked so hard, I saw it all, didn't I? Don't listen to what any of them say — what does it matter what people say, son? At the end of the day, you are my child, they are nothing to us! What if they do talk? You'll do much better next time, you'll see. My blessings are with you. You haven't been eating properly for two days. Must you break down like such a fool, son? Doesn't everyone get poor results sometimes? Does that mean one must feel this bad? If you study well, you'll certainly succeed — why are you worrying so much?"
I hadn't yet learned to distrust everything. Hearing my father's words, tears began falling from my eyes. What I had done — judging by the standards of that age — there could be no more heinous crime! I should have been beaten or killed with sharp words, thrown out of the house. Yet my father didn't even scold me! Being the son of such a man, and still causing my parents such pain! In this world, how many brilliant people don't even get the opportunity to study, and me? Having every opportunity and unable to accomplish anything!
Meanwhile, I wasn't managing well in technical studies either, getting poor results there too. I told my father, "I won't study in that line anymore. I want to study only for the HSC." My father agreed. I began preparing myself for the examination.
Technicalities aside. I immersed myself deeply in my studies with complete unwavering devotion and sincerity to my intention. Every day I drew encouragement from my father. Father was the steady flame of the lamp during those dark days of mine.

Relying on father's boundless faith and my preparation, I sat for the HSC examination in 2008. This time I passed all subjects. My result was a straight 3.00. I got a slightly low CGPA, but I had passed! What more could a student like me have achieved! I saw father—father was very happy! If father was happy, then I was happy too, what else! The one thing I gained from passing was seeing father happy. Nothing more came to my mind.

In his joy, father sent me on a tour of India. Ah, who could see my delight! During that 32-day journey, I had the opportunity to visit various places including Delhi, Agra, Mathura, Ayodhya, Vrindavan, and then Gaya, Kashi, Banaras, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and many places in Kolkata. I felt that having such a father in this life, nothing else was needed—one could spend life laughing just by placing one's head at his feet! Having found such a father, even if I had no other achievements, there would be no sorrow in my heart.

After returning, here came the admission war for university! After finishing the India tour, I didn't get much time to prepare myself for university admission tests. With whatever few days I had left, I resolved to make full use of them and threw myself into the field. Apart from Rajshahi University, I couldn't sit for exams anywhere else. By 'anywhere else' I mean universities as far as father would allow me to go.

I took the exam, the results came. I didn't get a chance in any subject of any faculty at Rajshahi University. My roll number was far down the waiting list. Nothing could be hoped from there. Reluctantly, with a very heavy heart, I enrolled in Carmichael College in 'that physics.' But my father wasn't that disheartened. His son had enrolled somewhere, was continuing his studies—he was happy with that. He knew the magic of being content with little. Among all the magic I learned from father in my life, this was the best. Very small incidents, trivial matters could keep father enchanted for days on end. This is a wonderful philosophy of life, an intimate understanding! Rather than causing pain to such a person, it would be much easier to die.

Meanwhile, my intense desire to study at university made me restless. At that time, a Banglalink advertisement had really captured my mind. The ad was made featuring Azad saheb of Azad Products, whose main theme was—'I didn't dream of losing!'...It was as if fire ignited in my blood!

I didn't stop the fight. I know giving up is easy. I also know that life after giving up is not easy. I decided I would take public university admission tests for the second time. In every exam of my life, I had passed on the second attempt. Let me see what's written in my fate this time. Since the opportunity exists, let me put it to use and see what happens! Even if nothing else comes of it, so what! I'm already enrolled in college! Father is happy with me. What else do I need to worry about?

Father was with me this time too. Placing his hand on my head and caressing me lovingly, he said, "Son, when you've gotten the opportunity, what's the point of wasting it? If such a couple of years are lost from life, it doesn't matter! One day no one will remember any of this. You won't remember it either—you won't even have time to remember! Where you're reaching, that's what matters; how you're getting there doesn't matter at all! You can do it! And even if you can't, what will happen?"
Does life really understand universities, colleges, subjects, you fool?
My father's words ignited a fire within me! Yes, I would surely succeed! I found four friends who, like me, were attempting for the second time. All of them had even lower CGPAs than mine. Despite such terrible results, we five friends dared to dream of studying at a public university.
Our five lives merged into one rhythm! Quite literally, we began studying without seeing the face of sun or moon. As long as there is breath in this body, we cannot accept defeat. We were not born to lose. Something extraordinary seemed to possess all five of us then! Ah, what a history of boundless toil! Through mutual support and group study in various ways, we pressed forward. By whatever means necessary, we had to secure admission to university!
We five friends took the Rajshahi University examination for the second time. This time our dreams were not in vain. Each of us emerged victorious in this audacious battle. All of us gained admission to Rajshahi University in one subject or another. In our joy, it seemed as though the entire sky had descended within reach!
Once again, my greatest victory was being able to bring such happiness to my good father. To me, this felt like the very definition of success. I was admitted to History, while among my other friends, one got into Bengali, one into Arabic Studies, and the remaining two into Mathematics.
Later, through departmental transfer, I moved to Journalism, and subsequently, through faculty change, I was admitted as the 11th candidate on the waiting list to a department that would transform my entire life. That was my beloved Marketing department. My chariot of dreams began soaring through the clouds!
Thus began my new journey in this new life. I was learning to dream. My dreams began to expand. From big to bigger, reaching toward the sky. For the first time in my life, I learned to dream. Life teaches even someone like me to dream! Ah life, ah life!
New environment, everything new. The well-organized atmosphere of Rajshahi University, the excellent faculty and facilities of the Marketing department kept me enchanted. The self-confidence I had lost returned to me once more. I began believing in myself anew. Whenever I felt low, without a second thought, I would call my father. He would always say, "You can do it. You've done it before, you'll do it again. You didn't come to this world to lose. If you had come to lose, you would have given up long ago. Your destination is far, far, far away. Much of the journey still remains. You cannot even imagine how far you'll go if you keep trying!"
The finest words I've heard in my entire life came from my father. In his presence, even the dead would awaken! Speaking with him made me feel that no one in this world was born more fortunate than I, because my father belongs to no one else.
After university admission, I encountered a teacher who taught me how to dream of touching the sky, how to search for pearls in the ocean, how to set life's priorities, how to discern which tasks among countless ones are necessary for oneself. He is Professor Dr. Rathindranath Majumdar. If in this life I consider my place in the dust of anyone's feet after my father, it is this very Rathindranath Sir.
If ever such a situation arises where I need to give a part of my own body to keep them alive, I will give it with a smile.

Everything that has happened in my life from that September of 2008 until today surpasses even my imagination. Though admission from the waiting list was delayed, our classes weren't. Very quickly, classes began. I became intensely focused on my studies. Through all these changes in life, I was gradually becoming a new, unique person. When there is strength in the mind and sincerity in the heart, attention naturally flows to any task. Suddenly, I began to enjoy studying, to enjoy working hard for my dreams. Everyone who saw me would call me a bookworm, and say all sorts of things! Let them! I truly was all those things! I would just smile. I had learned from my father to smile without saying anything to anyone.

It felt wonderful to adapt myself anew to a new environment. During orientation classes, I met many respected teachers and friends. I was getting acquainted with new people, allowing myself to learn from them. If you want to achieve something in life, you must allow yourself to learn, you must keep your head bowed. With an open mind, curious spirit, and devoted attention, I was enriching myself with various new ideas, new philosophies of life, new experiences.

A week after the first day I went to class, there was Razzaq Sir's Basic Marketing tutorial. My marks there were 8.5, though some had indeed scored a perfect ten. But I was incredibly happy with the marks I received. I called my father to tell him. Whether he understood or not, he said, 'Don't look at the one who got ten, look at yourself. What you've received is good for you. Take that to ten. You don't need to touch anyone else, just surpass yourself. That's all you need to do!' I resolved in my mind that somehow, in the next exam, I would score higher than this.

I attended classes regularly. Assignments, tutorials, studying back in the hall... I did all these things with strict discipline, pouring all my capability into them. I remained clear to my own conscience, knowing that I wasn't cutting any corners in my studies. Not even a grain's worth. There's no such thing as a 'cheat day' in life. Those are just words invented to fool oneself. In life there are only days, and lost days. Nothing beyond that. I was firmly resolved within myself that unless I fell ill, there would never be any lost days in my life. I found four male friends and three female friends, and together we eight would study in groups regularly, remaining maximally sincere toward our studies.

This way, my days were going quite well. About five months later, our midterm exams began.

The way I had studied with such dedication when preparing for university admission, I continued studying with exactly the same dedication from the very first semester. All the arrangements for preparing myself were taking place within me.

I did quite well on the midterm. The day the results came out, something happened that would turn all the corners of my life—an astonishing event! To my own surprise, and everyone else's, my result came out as—CGPA four out of four, meaning A+ in every subject!

I couldn't believe it myself. Later I had my batch senior Masum bhai double-check it for me. No, the result was correct. That was it! What shouldn't change remains the same even if you check it a hundred times. When Dr. heard my result...
Rathindranath Sir laughed in amazement and said, "This is like a kindergarten result!"
Within moments, I called my father to share the news of my results. I still vividly remember how my father broke down and wept that day. Some people are so easy to make happy. My father was exactly that kind of person! Just hearing about this modest result, he burst into such overwhelming tears! Listening to my father's tears of joy that day, I felt that my coming into this world had been worthwhile! Even if I died now, I would have no regrets.
Before hanging up, my father said, "Son, from now on your results will always be like this, you'll see! My blessings are with you. Don't be afraid of anything! Don't respond to anyone's words, just stay unwavering in your goals—that's all you need!"
Friends, teachers, everyone... all were amazed to see such an incredible result from me. My self-confidence began growing steadily. My personal horizon expanded a little more each day. I began dreaming then of becoming a university teacher. This dream was taking root permanently within me, day by day. To become a university teacher, along with other qualifications, outstanding results are absolutely essential, so I threw myself desperately into my studies. I began studying with much, much greater focus and attention. All my vision and concentration was directed toward results, not toward my physical well-being or anything else.
One of my most beloved teachers, Dr. Belayat Hossain Sir, had said, "This is just one term! There are still many innings left! Let's see what happens ahead. Don't give up." That advice became my sustenance for the remainder of my university journey.
I worked with incredible intensity, literally toiling like a beast of burden, dismissing all the world's attractions as trivial, glued to my desk. Following my father's instructions, I didn't take on any tutoring. Whenever I didn't feel like studying, I would think: studying is the most crucial thing for fulfilling my dreams, otherwise my dreams will shatter, my father's words will prove false! The dream of becoming a university teacher wouldn't let me sleep day or night. This dream kept me chained to my desk constantly. I spent entire days absorbed only in my studies. Throughout my entire academic life, apart from Rabindranath, I had no entertainment beyond coursework. I would meticulously study every academic book, paper, and journal. I attended every class with such attention that nothing, under any circumstances, would escape me.
The first-year exams came, and my result was 3.98.
Now my confidence didn't just double or triple—it seemed to multiply hundreds of times over. My dreams became even more vivid before my eyes. Such results transformed me into an incredibly hardworking person. With the supportive attitude and encouragement of all my teachers and some friends, I became an even more devoted and tirelessly disciplined student.
This way, semester after semester, I consistently began achieving excellent results. The better my results became, the more my enthusiasm grew, and with it, my dreams became increasingly unstoppable.
In my second, third, and fourth years, my results were 3.97, 3.95, and 3.96 respectively.
The same person who had failed SSC and HSC, barely passing on the second attempt before entering university—that same person finished my BBA with a 3.97 CGPA, breaking all previous records in my department.
I was still absorbed in my dream of becoming a university teacher. In my MBA, my CGPA was 3.98.
As far as I know, my result remains the highest in both BBA and MBA in the Marketing department to this day.
For someone like me, this truly seemed unimaginable, inconceivable, and unbelievable.
Ah, what wonders life reveals! The boy whose very ability to study was doubted by everyone—that same boy now carries in his pocket the finest result in his university's entire history!
After seeing my results, during my fourth-year viva, the examination committee chairman Dr. Nazibur Rahman Khan sir once told me, "I've heard about you. It's simply a miracle! How did you do this, son? You're the one who will achieve great things... much more is yet to come! Wait and see, young man!"
Thanks to my good results, I have received six scholarships so far.
In any case, having finished my academic life, I was preparing for my professional career. From the very beginning, my dream was to become a university teacher. But fate had other plans! Lost in dreams, I came to a halt through no fault of my own. With the proper qualifications to become a teacher, I applied for a lecturer position at the university. But the world I had built with such struggle suddenly came to a standstill.
Caught in certain political complexities, my path to becoming a university teacher became terribly arduous. I realized that becoming a university teacher was perhaps not written in my destiny. With a heart heavy with sorrow and deep disappointment, I took the examination for Assistant Director at Bangladesh Bank. Meanwhile, I continued applying to become a teacher at private universities.
After completing my MBA, when I joined East West University as a lecturer on April 5, 2014, I posted a status on Facebook—"First step on the path of dreams!"... My dream had been to become a teacher at a public university. To become a teacher and make my father happy. By becoming a lecturer at a private university, I partially fulfilled that dream. But my father was, as always, immensely happy!
Dreams must never be allowed to shatter. What else is there in life! Even if I stop now, why should I stop with an unfulfilled dream? Let me fulfill it, even if only partially! My dream of becoming a public university teacher may remain unfulfilled for now.
Meanwhile, I got the job as Assistant Director at Bangladesh Bank. I joined there. Since my dream of becoming a teacher remained elusive, my heart stayed very melancholy. I hadn't dreamed any grand dreams in this life. Like my father, I too am someone who finds happiness in simple things. But I had harbored one sky-high dream in life—to become a university teacher. Yet that very dream remained unfulfilled... the dream behind which I had labored honestly for five full years without any shortcuts. The dream for which I had fought day after day against all adversities. These thoughts would come to mind, and somehow I couldn't accept it all. Yet I didn't give up. A beloved son cannot be defeated—he carries his father's blessings on his head!
In childhood, my father taught me, "You must chase your dreams like a cheetah, only then will dreams yield to you." I resolved in my heart that I would apply again to become a teacher. Even after joining Bangladesh Bank, I couldn't find true peace in anything.
God never disappoints those who are sincere to their purpose and hardworking. He didn't disappoint me either. Toward the end of 2016, I received a joining letter to serve as a teacher at Rajshahi University. Overwhelmed with joy, my father and I wept together that day. Our hearts floated away in tears of gratitude to God. Ah, in my entire life, tears have had only one companion—my father!
Even today, when I feel like crying, it's my father I call.
When I resigned from my job at Bangladesh Bank, I was due to receive some financial incentives shortly after. I had to let go of that prospect and walk away. My last day at the office was a week and a half before I was supposed to leave for Germany on a foreign tour.
Without question, working at Bangladesh Bank was an extraordinary job. But to me, my dreams were worth far, far more than all the extraordinary things this world had to offer. We all have to die someday! So when death comes, let it come after I've fulfilled my dreams!
To everyone's astonishment, I resigned from Bangladesh Bank and joined Rajshahi University as a lecturer in the Marketing Department. My long-cherished dream had finally come true in its entirety. Father, I too have succeeded!
One must walk life's treacherous path by turning failure into capital, weakness into strength. God never disappoints the diligent. If I had been disheartened after poor results, if I had stopped, if I had accepted those failures as my destiny or destination, then Priyadarshi would never have been born on this day. The boy who failed both SSC and HSC and shouldn't have continued studying at all—yes, that boy was me!
That same boy now stands before a classroom full of university students and teaches. Today I give everyone reasons to live, show them the path to dreaming, tell them how to rise from despair, teach countless mantras for conquering failure. I'll soon go to America for my PhD. I have three top-tier universities in mind right now, and I could go to any of them if I wanted. I'm thinking about which one to choose! Yes, there was a time when I was supposed to disappear into some lonely planet.
No matter how sky-high dreams may be, with hard work and good intentions, any difficult dream will come true. All that's needed is self-confidence and the courage to make dreams reality. The path to every dream is always treacherous. Easy paths don't hold dreams—they hold zebra crossings! Life isn't the safe road of a zebra crossing.
Everything in my life happened on the second try, so my birth happened a second time too! That's all there is to it! Father had said it all along—everything is written in this destiny! When the time comes, we know for certain.
Today I take responsibility and declare to you all: Long live failure! And those who made extraordinary contributions to making this failed boy successful—I will keep them in all my evening prayers until my dying day.
The greatest thinker and philosopher I have encountered in this small life of mine is my father. Without father's courage, patience, and faith always beside me, disappearing into the womb of time would have been my only destiny. Father kept faith in me, and I kept faith in myself. So, dear readers, you haven't been introduced to my father yet! Let me introduce him, shall I?
Father's name: Naresh Talukdar
Father's profession: Carpenter (in my eyes... life-craftsman!)
Father's educational qualification: Up to second grade
Father's qualification as a father: Shaping me into today's Priyadarshi
Father's favorite activities: Loving me and reading Rabindranath
Acknowledgment: I have taken the phrase 'Long live failure' from the title of the third essay—'Byorthota Zindabad'—in Kazi Motahar Hossain Chowdhury's book 'Sanskriti-katha'.