“In Paulo Coelho’s book Alchemist it is written, ‘Try with all your heart, the whole universe will help’. This is absolutely true”- Chetna Mehrotra.
We always look up to successful people and try to live by the morals they believed in throughout their journey. However, there are so many stories of normal people who are stronger than super heroes! Their stories are full of struggle and then perseverance. At KSP, we believe that stories like these deserve to be heard. So, they can inspire others who are in a low place themselves, and let them know about the strength within them.
Today, we bring you a similar story that will surely motivate you to always follow your heart, no matter how tough the journey gets! Today, we bring you the story of Chetna Mehrotra.
Who Is Chetna Mehrotra?
Born in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, Chetna Mehrotra runs a theater group named ‘Rangbhoomi: A Happy Playground’. It is a poetic theatre, in which plays are performed without a script. Interesting right? Her aim is to bring a smile on the faces of people. Today her theatre is always full. And this is all because of the one decision she made, that changed her entire life from the hell she was stuck in.
Chetna Mehrotra started learning kathak from the age of 12. And did her Honors in English Literature from Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University. She was always a creative and participative person. But this didn’t last for long…
Where Did It All Go Wrong?
A blind date. After a month and half he wanted to met her parents, she thought everything was fine, and then decided to get married. However, 4 years into the marriage and things started to go downhill.
“From then on the series of beatings started. I got pregnant, thought everything would be fine. But nothing went right. The situation got worse day by day. My son was growing up. Many times my husband raised his hand in front of him. “
That’s when she decided, this is not the life she wanted to give her son, and decided to leave her husband. But that wasn’t as easy as said. At first, her husband wanted to keep the child with himself, but she fought. Even her parents were against her breaking the relationship, but she did what she felt was right. Life in Mumbai is expensive, with only 25,000 in her bank account, she had to start working to make ends meet.
She Decided To Follow Her Heart
She always wanted to pursue theatre, but couldn’t because of her parents and her husband. Now, at 35, she decided to follow her heart.
“Life may not give a second chance, so I decided to live my dreams. Contacted the theater people and took small projects in which 4 to 5 thousand rupees were available.”
On some days, she had just 300-400 rupees in the bank and didn’t know what the next day would hold. But she held on and worked hard. Once, when she took a job as a teacher, she got the idea of ‘Rangbhoomi’ and that was the start of her dream.
Today, She Is Happy And Loves Her Life
She chose to follow her passion even when the chances of surviving there seemed slim. But she made it work, for her and her son. Today she is a proud artist, entrepreneur and mom.
“For 2 days I stayed with my maid. After this, a roof was arranged over our heads. Was in depression for a few days, but had faith in my dreams. Rose again with courage and the foundation of ‘Rangbhoomi: A Happy Play Ground’ was laid…”
Raise Your Voice Against Domestic Violence!
You deserve to be treated with respects and love. If you aren’t, then that’s a sign for you to get out of such a relationship. Marriage shouldn’t become a cage where you bear everything just for the sake of it. Yes, it’s hard to fight and then be on your own… but surviving in that cage is even harder.
“If the partner beats you, then tell your guardian in the beginning so that everything will be fine in time and you do not have to take sips of blood. One should come out of the wrong relationship immediately.”
I hope this story touched your heart and made you believe in your dreams once again. It’s never too late to do the right thing. Do you have a story to tell too? Then reach out to share your stories by writing to us in the comments below.
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