My Poverty Did Not Deter My Determination to Achieve Something Big

Professor Susanto Beero –

Ambagam, Gajapati, Odisha: I had no hope to study after standard 7^th, but today I am a professor of economics at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), having achieved a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economics from Jawaharlal University (JNU), New Delhi, India. I thank The Almighty GOD for showering His abundant blessings, strength, and wisdom upon me.

I hail from a poor catholic family from the village Ambagam of  Antaraba Parish, Gajapati District, under the Berhampur diocese of Odisha. I am the second in eight siblings of Mr. Saimon Beero and the late Margita Beero. After primary school, I joined Aliganda Mission School and completed standard 7^th.   After passing standard 7^th, I had no hope to continue studying due to the acute financial crisis. Nobody was there to help me with my studies. At this critical time, Rev. Fr. Abraham Karukaparambil, the then assistant priest of Aliganda parish, Berhampur diocese and the present rector of the minor seminary, Shanti Bhavan, Diocese Rayagada, Odisha, assured me of financial support. I completed secondary education at the Technical High School, Surada, Ganjam, Odisha.

I recall those days; In 1999, during high school, my father was able to send only Rs. 20/ to meet my study expenses. It was a  desperate situation for me. It was so painful to tell my classmates because they used to get more than Rs. 100/. I was diligent and hardworking, trusting God to work through my labour. Despite my financial crunch, my high school teachers Mr. Suresh Baliarsingh, now Headmaster of Surada Technical High School, Sudarsan Nayak and late Sunil Kumar Nayak, and other teachers as well as non-teaching staff, Mr. Monaj Das of Suroda Technical High School, played a vital role in imparting knowledge during my High School. It is because of the hard work of the then three young stars (teachers), especially  Suresh Baliarsingh, I stood first in standard 8, 9 and 10 board exams. The teachers are my inspiration. After completing 12^th standards from Rayagada College and graduating from Khalikote College, Berhampur, in 2006, I joined the course M.A. in economics at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack and completed it in 2008.

I went to New Delhi with my huge dream to crack the coveted UPSC exam in 2008. However, due to financial constraints, I could not concentrate on my studies. However, my poverty did not deter my determination to achieve something big. I met Rev. Alwyn D’Souza, the then  National Youth Director of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM),  in his office at the ICYM National office at the CBCI Center, at 1 Ashoka Road, New Delhi, in the month of May 2009 and requested for the job. After a few months, I walked into his office room and narrated my ambitious mega dream. Fr. Alwyn listened to me carefully and the financial challenges I faced and advised me of a realistic option of completing further studies and then attempting the UPSC. After thinking about the suggestion given by Fr. Alwyn, I realized that it would be the right way forward. I pursued in Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Economics and completed it in 2011 and joined for Ph.D. in Economics, having received a NABARD Ph.D. fellowship. I got an opportunity to study Ph.D. at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, one of the finest and most prestigious universities. Having received a Doctorate in Economics from the prestigious University, I now serve as the Assistant Professor of Economics at CHRIST (Deemed to University), Delhi NCR campus.

The whole credits of my achievement go to Roman Catholic Church. If I am something today, it is because of the church. I sincerely acknowledge that Fr. Abraham is one who not only helped me financially but also instilled enthusiasm and confidence into me, moreover, stood with me all through, for which I am indebted forever. I am fortunate to be in his care. I have no hesitation in saying that without his support, achieving a double doctorate and becoming an assistant professor of economics would not have been possible. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Fr. Alwyn, who showed me right career-oriented direction and blessed me in different ways in my life. I greatly acknowledge the then ICYM family for their prayers and blessings. Presently I sincerely thank Dr. Fr. Viju, P.D. Director of CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Delhi-NCR Campus, Ghaziabad, who appointed me an Assistant Professor of Economics to teach economics to young and ambitious minds at CHRIST. I will consider this opportunity a blessing.

I always remember Psalm 28:7: The Lord is my strength and shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped, my heart exults, and with my song, I give thanks to him. He helps those who are helpless. I see God’s helping hand through the priests, teachers, parents and well-wishers who groomed me to reach this stage.