“The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun.” – Napoleon Hill.
Harikesh is not just any other student attempting to make a dent in the field of technology; rather, he is a bright young postgraduate student at IIIT Bangalore who has shown immense courage and determination in overcoming life’s challenges.
Harikesh hails from a small village in Andhra Pradesh. His life had enough ups and downs as a child, financially and emotionally.
As difficult as his family’s financial condition was, Harikesh remembers how they could not afford to buy a chair. Besides that, his father-son relationship was difficult and they seldom had meaningful conversations with each other.
“My childhood was pretty bad. I was kept almost confined within the four walls of the house. My mindset and exposure were so small in comparison to others.”
Harikesh wasn’t allowed to have the simple joys of life as a child, which affected his thought processes. However, as he grew older, his father started to change. Little by little, they worked out their problems, and their financial situation began to improve.
“It was quite a transition, and now my father is taking care of me and my family better than he ever did in the past. This has brought about a positive change in the entire family dynamics.”
This turnaround of fortunes marked a milestone. However, the deep wounds inflicted by the past were not easy to heal. The most challenging aspect of Harikesh’s childhood was not having free time.
“I couldn’t even participate in any activities at school because I was made to stay home. Even as a boy, I wasn’t allowed to do things that a young adult should learn. Growing up, I only wanted the basic freedom to live a life as any normal teenager would have, but I was heavily restricted.”
This feeling of confinement followed Harikesh into his teenage years, becoming the gap between him and his peers. He felt ashamed to share his feelings with friends because every boy his age knew how to drive by age 20, and here he was, not allowed to do even something so simple.
He slowly understood that he needed external support to go through with life. Harikesh wasn’t convinced but was curious when his college informed him about YourDOST, which had partnered with them as their official mental health partner. He decided to give it a try, hoping for at least some clarity and peace of mind. Little did he know this decision would transform his life.
His first session was with Ms Navya Karla and Ms Abhirami Narayana, whom he chose as his counsellors. This was a revolutionary experience for someone like Harikesh, who had never felt comfortable expressing his feelings. The anonymity with which the counsellors operate meant a lot to him. He said that he felt his situation was unique and needed to have the exposure and maturity others had.
One of the techniques Harikesh’s counsellors introduced him to was urge surfing. This technique involves dealing with unwanted behaviours by riding the urge like a surfer riding a wave.
They taught me that if I delayed giving in to an urge, such as watching a movie when I should actually study, the feeling would pass, and I would be able to do what I needed.
This simple yet powerful technique made big changes in Harikesh’s life. It wasn’t all about rigid schedules and drastic changes; it was about small, progressive steps. They were not just warm and welcoming but also provided solutions, gave timelines, and helped him keep a tab on everything he did. Their understanding of his situation was a source of great comfort for Harikesh.
“They gave me a plan to implement over time, starting with a few days and gradually increasing. It’s been constructive.”
Today, Harikesh is cautiously optimistic about his future. He doesn’t know how to pinpoint and say what’s changed, but he knows he’s moving in the right direction.
“I’m feeling better, day by day.”
Harikesh would rate his improvement as 4 out of 5. According to him, improvement means being better than yesterday and progressing regularly.
“I am just thankful for the non-judgmental space and actionable advice that helped me move forward.”
From a small village in Andhra Pradesh to the corridors of IIIT Bangalore, it has not been easy. Still, amidst all of it, he rises above his challenges, helping at a time when he felt blinded and taking small steps toward a much better future.
We at YourDOST salute this young champ’s journey and wish him all the best for the future!
Harikesh’s Warrior Tips:
1.“Take whatever you might be going through right now and rectify its relevance. Identifying that is a step in the right direction.”
2.“Evaluate where you are right now, and understand that dwelling on the past won’t solve any issues.”
3.“Open up about your emotions to someone who can offer non-judgmental support. Don’t keep everything bottled up.”
Are you someone who has gone through a difficult phase and emerged stronger and better, with some professional help? Share your story with us to encourage thousands of others who might be struggling. Click here to submit your story.
