Keeping My Promise to My Mentor

In January 2002, my mother introduced my sister and me to this practice. My father followed suit a couple of years later. I was academically weak and lacked confidence. But in the Gakkai, I felt special and appreciated. I found great joy in participating in every activity, be it making a festoon or taking a study and gradually turned into a confident person.

My Mentor, My Pole Star

Reading The Youthful Diary , I connected to Ikeda Sensei deeply. I was unsure which path to take but when Ikeda Sensei said that following the Lotus Sutra would open the way to my vow and mission, I decided to do exactly that.

In the next few years, I reported victories like securing admission in the school of my choice for Grade 11 and 12, and in the only college (in Bengaluru) for my master’s degree. I also found my path for film making and content creation.

After finishing my course, I began working as an assistant director with one of the most sought-after upcoming directors in the Kolkata film industry. In the next few years, I learnt the craft and traveled the world, working with the biggest names in the Kolkata film industry and in some Bollywood projects. I also directed West Bengal’s first sitcom for a leading OTT platform. Subsequently, I joined an upcoming production house as a creative producer.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, my mother suffered multiple organ failure with less than two percent chances of survival and was hospitalized seven times with various complications in the next three years. I was the only earning member of the family then; soon after, my sister started working and began contributing substantially. Yet, our combined income was not sufficient to cover the medical costs and accumulated debt. Every day, money lenders flocked to our house. The daimoku chanted for our family by various members and leaders protected us.

When appointed as the YWD Zone Chief and YL (Girls) Area Incharge, I began to fight afresh with the heart to respond to my mentor’s call!

Right after the Youth Sports Festival (YSF) was held in 2023, I was diagnosed with multiple brain strokes. Doctors detected a cluster of clots which affected my right eye’s peripheral vision. Had the cluster been even slightly to the left or right, I would have been paralyzed! My condition impacted my movement a little bit and made reading slightly challenging. But I did not let that hamper my activities. Almost a year later, while I still take medicines, my eye strength has improved.

Rousing My Fighting Spirit as Sensei’s Disciple

Ikeda Sensei’s passing was like a bolt out of the blue. I repeatedly read ‘Tranquil Light’ chapter (from The Human Revolution ).

Ikeda Sensei writes, “[I]f we who succeed President Toda powerfully unite … then there will be no obstacles that we cannot vanquish!” (HR-12, 510).

I vowed to put into action Ikeda Sensei’s training and take complete responsibility for the kosen-rufu movement toward 2030 and beyond.

Meanwhile, after defaulting on the payment of our monthly EMIs, the bank sent a legal notice. We risked losing our house, the epicenter of Gakkai activities for more than 20 years. Both my sister and I resolved to ensure that our mother, who was in such fragile health, isn’t displaced. I also determined to reach out to all YWDs in the zone and to pay off the seven-figure mortgage amount during the March 16th (2024) Campaign.

My father began holding dialogues with people, from bank officials to lawyers, to come up with a solution. We backed him with abundant daimoku. The bank’s main branch notified us that if the entire loan was not paid by March 15th, we would have to vacate the house immediately.

Basing myself on the learnings from the Kamata and Bunkyo Campaigns, I dived into activities and reached out to YWDs in the three regions of the zone. To encourage members in the outstation Harmu Morabadi and Jamshedpur Lalpur Regions, I started conducting videocalls — three to four in a day at times.

In February and March, I did 35 home visits and phone visits, 63 hours of daimoku and dialogues with three new friends, one of whom attended meetings in March and April. Across the zone, 52 youth division members and four guests attended the March 16th meetings.

Meanwhile, we were able to generate the funds by selling off one of our assets. My father’s business partner also pitched in with the understanding that the money would be deducted from my father’s salary in the next few months. Finally, we paid off our loan on March 14th and received the original deed of our apartment on March 21st.

I managed to keep my promise to Ikeda Sensei. This must have been of great reassurance for my mother, who passed away on May 6th while striving for kosen-rufu till the very end. Her face was serene and peaceful in death.

Toward November 18th, I determine to grow and foster at least 40 members in the district I am attached to as an honorary district chief, become financially strong and physically fit, and regain my right peripheral vision.