‘There is no substitute for hard work to achieve success’

Bhubaneswar: Sambad Group, Odisha’s largest media house, felicitated the top 50 students of Plus II Arts and Commerce streams at a function held at Jayadev Bhawan here yesterday.

The eminent personalities – Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania, chartered accountant AK Sabat, IAS officer Subhankar Mohapatra, Sambad Group Chairman Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Sambad Group Managing Director Monica Nayyar Patnaik – who graced the event, shared their experiences with the meritorious students.

“Hard work is key to success. There can be no two ways to it. One should set a target and work accordingly to achieve it. In whatever stage you are in life, you should maintain an inner connect. You should listen to your inner voice. A decision guided by these principles will never go wrong,” Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania advised the students.

As many as 113 students from various government and private junior colleges were felicitated with a medal and an appreciation certificate.

“To be successful, one should dream and work hard to realize it. One should shed ego, be truthful and have control over speech for a successful life. Success will follow a person if he follows these seven principles – honesty, integrity, discipline, hard work, character, punctuality and loyalty. The young generation looks up to honest leadership. So, the present generation should be honest for a vibrant society,” prominent Chartered Accountant Arun Kumar Sabat told the august gathering.

The youngest amongst the guests, Subhankar Mohapatra – who secured all India 46^th rank in UPSC-2017 – quoted famous writers; narrated verses from Gita, shared inspiring words from his teachers which captivated the attendees.

“Success should not be the only aim in life. One who fails in life should take lessons and view it as an experience. You should dream and work hard to achieve desired goals. We as Odias often feel ourselves to be inferior to others. We should get out of that mindset,” said Subhankar Mohapatra who cracked UPSC examination-2017.

Editor of leading Odia daily ‘Sambad’ Soumya Ranjan Patnaik presided over the function.

“Keeping ego at bay with humbleness is the mantra to be a successful person. The only medicine to get rid of ego is gratefulness. First be grateful to your parents and then teachers and others. The Arts and Commerce students should not consider themselves inferior to anyone. There is no direct relation between academic degree and occupation. There should be a balance between profession and desire. Successful persons gain command over multiple languages. Anyone who masters Odia and English would taste success,” Sambad Group Chairman and Rajya Sabha MP Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said.

In her speech, Sambad Group Managing Director Monica Nayyar Patnaik expressed: “There are number of vocations available now as compared to olden times. Students have many options to choose from. Indians are academically oriented. One should opt for a subject which he/she is fond of. We should follow our passion. It is not a cakewalk for the toppers right now. Success is not an elevator, it’s a ladder. You have to go step by step. Sky is the limit and get your dream fulfilled.”

CGM (News) Sambad Arabinda Das delivered the introductory speech and senior journalist Choudhury Amitabh Das moderated the event.