An Entrepreneur’s Mother’s Dilemma

By Jubanashwa Mishra on July 8, 2013 23 Comments / 1906 views

After reading the article by Alok Sir (Would you marry an Entrepreneur?),I was very much inspired to write this article, which I hope you will enjoy reading.

When I started this journey of “One Week Job India”, to do 28 jobs in 28 weeks through 28 states of India, I did not know how to explain this and convince my mother, so I chose not to tell her. Recently when my mother got to know about my crazy journey through a local Odia news paper, she called me and even before I finished my,’Hello”, she dropped the most crucial question in her mind “Who will marry you now?” She rambled on and on, while I was in an event for the movie Lootera at Taj Lands End hotel, Mumbai enjoying the glamour world of Bollywood-it was part of my 8^th week job as a movie marketing executive for the state Maharashtra. I am habituated to such calls from my mother, so I find it more funny than worrisome. This is her favourite question-she posed the same question when I quit my software engineer job, and also when I didn’t take part in my placement process during MBA, instead started working on my venture idea, as also when I chose a rural activation project against a lucrative job. But One week job project was something different.

I understand what her perspective is. As all doting Indian mothers who feel that her boy should be ‘Well Settled’, she feels that I am ruining my employ-ability by doing different jobs each week. It took an hour long conversation to explain the whole project and the motivation behind it to her. I told her why it is necessary to spread the message “Discover your passion” while job satisfaction is a serious issue worldwide, how most of the dreams die at the tender age of 17-18, how people choose stereotypical paths and kill their passion.

Finally as I sensed maybe she was convinced I took a long breath of relief. But my relief was short lived as she again asked me the crucial question “But who will marry you now?”, “what will I say if the girl’s side asks me about your job?”. “What will I say if they ask, which city do u live in?”. I again took a long exasperated breath silently smiling to myself.

She read the article over the phone, “Photographer in Haryana, Market researcher in Gujarat, Hotel Manager in Rajasthan, MOUNTAIN CLEANING JOB in Himachal!!!” Haha, as expected how could my orthodox Brahmin parents accept the fact that I am working as a kudawala (Mountain cleaning job) in Himachal Pradesh? As she went on and on not pausing even for a second, I somehow defended myself (as I always do, I am smart at that!), she calmed down. I immediately described my experience in the Seva @Golden temple, Amritsar and she loved it. She warned me against doing any adventurous job like rafting trainee in Jammu during my 6^th week and scolded me for my unfortunate timing to get into Uttarakhand as a poly farm worker.

At the end of our conversation, my mother asked me, “Do you believe what you are doing will be helpful to inspire others to chase their dreams?” I replied, “Maa, you know me; I am such an optimistic guy that once I proposed a girl and whatever she replied it hardly mattered to me. I already heard a big YES”. She laughed out loudly recalling the incident and hung up with the words which touched my heart: “God Bless”.

Few useful links about one week job India.

https://www.oneweekjob.com/india/

https://www.wishberry.in/One-Week-Job-India-16095

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5E467aj2ZOI

Comments

Jubanashwa Mishra

23 Comments

Tejas Vishnu Nimbargi July 9, 2013, 4:49 am

Man!!!
What did I just read this morning!!!

Your idea of “One Week Job India” is just amazing… just amazing.

I am an avid traveller, so I can perfectly relate to the bliss you must have experienced on this project.
You made my day… Thanks for this article!

Cheers!
Tejas
asha chaudhry July 9, 2013, 5:15 am

hi jubanashwa,

i love your idea! i’m not sure about spreading a msg etc… but i’m really happy for you that you are living 28 of your dreams – how many of us can say that?!

when you can, pls keep updating the dream jobs you are taking up (as a list) so other members can be inspired. also, if you have an itinerary chalked out – pl share it so rodinhooders of that particular city/state will know about your project 🙂

may the force be with you….!

ps: am sure your mom is very proud of you 🙂
Jubanashwa Mishra July 9, 2013, 3:29 pm

Thank you so much Tejas !!
Jubanashwa Mishra July 9, 2013, 3:30 pm

Hi Asha,

Thank you so much for appreciating the idea 🙂

Yeah I will keep update my journey among rodinhooders.

Yeah my mom is happy 🙂

Thanks,
Alok Rodinhood Kejriwal July 10, 2013, 1:59 am

Thats why Moms are Moms!!

Sometimes talking to them is better than talking to anyone else on the planet. And at a metaphysical level, there is an explanation for this (personal belief) – that you are talking to YOUR SOURCE and hence can never be untruthful.

Good luck. Via the phone call she actually blessed you..
Jubanashwa Mishra July 10, 2013, 6:46 am

Thank You so much Sir 🙂

Yeah its true, nothing can be better than talking to Mom.
Sagar Gupta July 10, 2013, 10:52 am

awesome. awesome awesome.. 1000 times.. 😉
Jubanashwa Mishra July 10, 2013, 1:50 pm

Thanks 🙂
Sreenatha Reddy K R July 12, 2013, 11:11 am

You will achieve What you wished…..

Wish You All the Best……..

Cheers!

Sree
Jubanashwa Mishra July 12, 2013, 2:50 pm

Thank You so much for the wishes 🙂
Sanjeev Malani July 13, 2013, 5:12 am

Awesome Jubanashwa! 28 jobs in 28 weeks through 28 states! Simply Awesome.
Jubanashwa Mishra July 15, 2013, 2:54 pm

Thanks Alot Sanjeev 🙂
asha chaudhry July 16, 2013, 5:04 am

hi jubanashwa….

not trying to be a party pooper – but just came across your new job for the week ‘EMOTIONAL CONSULTANT’ – just curious – are you trained to give people advice on emotional mngt???

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=608345072520869&set=a.101016813253700.2136.100000361460723&type=1

in my view, and this is my opinion only… it sort of dilutes your objective…
Jubanashwa Mishra July 18, 2013, 4:24 am

Hi Asha,

I am doing under the guidance of a counsellor. It was in my job wish list, because i wanted to analyse the real problem too during the journey.

Thanks,

Jubanashwa
asha chaudhry July 18, 2013, 4:26 am

cool!

all the best!!
Jubanashwa Mishra October 30, 2013, 8:03 am

My 10 craziest jobs so far https://lifebeyondnumbers.com/jubanashwa-mishrajubanashwa-mishra-discovering-passion-through-28-jobs-in-28-weeks/
Sarsij Nayanam October 30, 2013, 12:44 pm

🙂 Keep the show going. You are inspiring many minds!
Rishi October 30, 2013, 4:18 pm

This is really awesome! Wish you all the best Jubanashwa. If you’re ever in Bangalore, would love to meet you.
Jubanashwa Mishra January 5, 2014, 2:31 pm

One Week Job India Retirement Speech!! https://www.facebook.com/notes/jubanashwa-mishra/one-week-job-india-retirement-speech/691291144226261
Darshan Bhambiru January 5, 2014, 8:46 pm

Congratulations!!

28 Topon Ki Salaami!!!

Sounds like TWEET (Two Eight) 🙂 Sweet!
Jubanashwa Mishra January 6, 2014, 2:53 am

Thank You so much 🙂
asha chaudhry May 11, 2014, 5:43 am

juban…

wish your mom a very happy mother’s day from all of us!!!

🙂
Jubanashwa Mishra May 11, 2014, 12:08 pm

That’s so sweet 🙂 Thank You So Much 🙂