“Everybody is special. Everybody. Everybody is a hero, a lover, a fool, a villain. Everybody. Everybody has their story to tell.”
Hello and Welcome!
- Hello and Welcome!
- My name is Shirsendu Das,
- Early Education and Lessons Beyond the Classroom
- A Serendipitous Choice: College Days and New Discoveries
- Finding Purpose in Isolation: My Life at Bandwan Polytechnic
- When Paths Reconnect: Lessons in Love and Life
- Returning and Realizing New Passions
- Finding Stability and Reconnecting with Home
- A New Journey Begins with Homelabs and Networking
- Embracing Sustainability and Smart Living
- Turning Passion into Profit: Expanding My DIY Endeavors
- Echoes of a Life Lived
My name is Shirsendu Das,
I was born in 1995 in the quaint rural area of Burnpur Steel City. Growing up in a lower-middle-class family deeply rooted in religious values, I was shaped by a blend of influences from both sides of my parents. My father’s technical and logical orientation fostered a curiosity for engineering and problem-solving. In contrast, my mother’s strong religious principles instilled a moral compass and a deep sense of right and wrong. My engagement in church programs and the values taught by my mother have been the core foundation guiding my decisions and character. More on this later.
Both my parents were highly respected in our community. Their combined influence has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today.
From an early age, I was captivated by the world of machines, electronics, and electrical gadgets. This fascination wasn’t just a passing interest. It was nurtured by the profound influence of my father, a dedicated teacher and trainer at an electrical technical institution. His passion for teaching and his deep understanding of how things work sparked a lifelong curiosity in me. A curiosity that has driven my journey of continuous learning and exploration.
Early Education and Lessons Beyond the Classroom
My early school years were spent at Mohishila Govt Colony High School. However, in 2007, I transferred to Burnpur Boy’s High School. This Bengali medium institution was operated by the IISCO Steel Plant in Burnpur. What made this school unique was its multi-medium curriculum, offering education in Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu.
In this diverse environment, I quickly formed friendships with classmates from different religious and cultural backgrounds. These early interactions broadened my perspective, allowing me to see the world through various lenses. This upbringing also gave me an edge in recognizing the subtle ways governments and politicians manipulate religion and caste to consolidate power. Many people fail to notice these nuances.. But that’s a discussion for another time.
My father, a strict disciplinarian, provided me with just 3 rupees a day for pocket money, with the rule that any unspent amount had to be returned at the end of the month or adjusted against the next month’s allowance. To supplement this modest amount, I began repairing headphones and radios for my classmates and neighbors. This not only provided me with extra income but also honed my problem-solving and budgeting skills—skills that would serve me well in the years to come.
In 2010, I passed the Matriculation Examination with good grades and continued studying the science stream in higher secondary at the same school. By 2013, I had completed my Higher Secondary education. I left Burnpur Boy’s High School for the last time, carrying with me good memories and valuable lessons.
A Serendipitous Choice: College Days and New Discoveries
In 2013, I completed my Higher Secondary education in science at the same school I had attended since childhood. Eager to continue my studies, I decided to join my friend in taking the Entrance examination for polytechnic right after our board exams. A bold move considering most students spent a year in coaching before attempting it. To our surprise, only I secured a spot, and with a good ranking too.
However, there was a twist in the tale. When filling out the selection form, I mistakenly prioritized a rural college far from home at the top of my list. I placed the nearest college lower down. It wasn’t until I received my admission letter that I realized my mistake. Initially, this seemed like a blunder, but in hindsight, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Finding Purpose in Isolation: My Life at Bandwan Polytechnic
The college I ended up at, Bandwan Govt. Polytechnic College at Purulia. Nestled in a serene location between hills and villages, far removed from the distractions of the internet and city life. This isolation allowed me to focus deeply on my studies and explore the natural surroundings. I found myself immersed in a different kind of learning, while some of my friends are caught up in the allure of social media and parties. The simplicity of village life and the daily interactions with local farmers sparked in me a desire for self-sustainability. A theme that would later influence my projects and this blog category Farming and Sustainability.
During my time at Bandwan Polytechnic, I also found ways to support myself financially. I took on extra work, helping other students with their projects and engineering drawings. This eventually allowed me to save enough to buy my first Android phone a Sony Experia, for 13,000 INR.
When Paths Reconnect: Lessons in Love and Life
During my college years, I reconnected with my childhood crush on social media, and we clicked instantly. Our relationship grew stronger with each passing day. While I had always been driven, chasing after knowledge and experiences like a moth drawn to the moon, she brought a different perspective into my life. She taught me to slow down, to savor each moment, and to celebrate it. Though we still debate about it, this contrast defines us.
I’m like Bunny from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, with the mindset of: “Study till 22, job at 25, marriage at 26, kids by 30, retire at 60… then just wait for death? No way, I want to fly, to run, to fall… just not to stop.”
And she’s like Naina, reminding me: “No matter how much you try, something will always be left behind. So, let’s just enjoy this moment right now.”
In our differences, we find balance, and that’s what makes our journey together so meaningful.
My hard work paid off academically, as I graduated with first-class honors and distinction. However, this period of my life was not solely about academic achievements. It was also a time of significant personal growth and self-discipline. I discovered the values that would guide my future endeavors. It was a time when I learned to turn adversity into opportunity.
Returning and Realizing New Passions
By July 2016, after completing my studies, I returned home and began exploring different job opportunities. However, I never pursued competitive exams, knowing they weren’t the right path for me. The rote memorization required for these exams didn’t align with my learning style, which thrives on understanding rather than memorization. To me, the idea of spending my youth cramming for exams felt like a waste of valuable time.
Guided by the moral compass instilled in me by my mother’s strong religious principles, I sought fulfillment through other avenues. Embracing the values and lessons from my faith, I became deeply involved in my church community. My engagement led me to the roles of Youth President and, eventually, District Youth President. During this period, my girlfriend also earned the position of District Secretary, adding a personal dimension to our shared commitment. I delivered speeches, even winning first and second prizes in competitions. Organized a talent competition that taught me the intricacies of leadership and politics.
These experiences helped me build trust with others. I learned the art of organizing large-scale events a skill that would prove invaluable in the future. This phase of my life was one of exploration and enjoyment, where I not only discovered new aspects of myself but also realized the importance of pursuing what truly resonated with my passions and values.
A Turning Point: Loss & Dawn of Ambition
Setbacks and Resilience
Finding Light in the Darkness
December 2017 marked a devastating turning point in my life with the sudden and unexpected passing of my father. This shook my world, leaving me with no time to gradually figure things out. My dreams of pursuing opportunities beyond my hometown seemingly out of reach. Yet, I gathered the strength to push forward. By mid-2018, I began training in Solar installation at HETC College in Kolkata.
By the third quarter of that year, I had launched my own Solar INC Company with two partners. We divided responsibilities carefully: I took charge of research and development, project design, and execution, while one partner focused on securing deals, and the other managed finances and investor relations. The excitement was palpable as we embarked on this journey together.
Reality Check
However, the initial thrill soon gave way to unexpected challenges. While we secured deals, finding profitable ones proved difficult. As our financial partner began to distance himself, I found myself stepping into the dual role of managing both operations and finances.
My commitment to the business remained unwavering; I even invested my own money to keep it afloat.. For a time, this gamble seemed to pay off. Better deals started coming in, and the business was finally turning a profit. I even brought in an old school friend to help handle the growing workload. The future seemed bright—until the pandemic struck in February 2020.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns imposed by the Modi government marked the beginning of the end for my once-promising venture. The mismanagement of lockdowns, starting with a sudden one-day shutdown that was then extended indefinitely, left us scrambling. With no time to properly wind down ongoing projects, I lost valuable equipment and had to pay exorbitant amounts to transport my laborers home via private means.
As the lockdown dragged on, my business crumbled. Despite government assurances that there would be no penalties for late tax returns during the lockdown, I later discovered I was being fined monthly for non-compliance. This was my second major rift with the government, and it felt like a deep betrayal. The financial losses were significant, but the emotional toll was even greater.
The Betrayal
Watching my business crumble and facing relentless challenges to revive it only deepened my disillusionment with the system. I felt betrayed by my own government, and I knew that eventually, I would share my experiences to highlight the systemic flaws I encountered. It took another pivotal incident to push me towards protest and activism. To learn more about that journey, follow this link.
Returning to the story: As my dream seemed to slip through my fingers, I felt powerless to halt its demise. Yet, amid this chaos, an unexpected event shifted my focus entirely.
The lockdown not only disrupted my business but also brought an unexpected challenge to my spiritual life. With our church doors closed, I struggled to cope with the sudden isolation. On the first Sunday after the lockdown was declared, I went to the church with the simple intention of lighting a candle and praying. To my dismay, I found the church locked by the secretary, despite prior decisions to keep it open. Overcome with anger and sadness, I bypassed the committee and, after discussing it with the church father, took matters into my own hands.
Determined to keep our community connected, I initiated an online church service from the second Sunday of the lockdown. The technical side of the operation was entirely my responsibility, and within just a month, the service had attracted 1.5k viewers. Seeing the success of this initiative, I was asked to set up similar online services for two other churches.
New Chapter
This venture into digital ministry didn’t go unnoticed. In April 2020, the principal of Calcutta Girls’ High School reached out to me, asking if I could help transition her school to an online platform. By May 2020, the school was fully online, and I had taken on the role of IT administrator—a position I continue to hold.
Looking back, I firmly believe that this was a moment when God’s guidance led me to a new purpose. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, I found a way to serve others, using my skills to keep both faith and education alive during uncertain times.
Finding Stability and Reconnecting with Home
As I began to earn a steady income, life took on a new rhythm. Although it wasn’t as much as I used to make at my previous company, the newfound stability allowed me to focus on what mattered most—being home. After years of frequent travel across different states, being home became a blessing. It gave me the opportunity to support my widowed mother, both physically and emotionally, something I had yearned to do for a long time. With this time at home, I began to capture precious memories with my mother and my long-time girlfriend, savoring the simple pleasures that come with being present—like enjoying the reliability of a steady broadband connection.
December 2021 marked a significant milestone in my life when I married my long-term girlfriend, turning a page to a new chapter of our lives. Our bond deepened as we shared these special moments, further solidifying our connection. The following summer, we embarked on a memorable trip to Vizag, where we created a wealth of photos and videos. These experiences, cherished as they were, also led to a growing collection of media—thousands of photos, movies, and TV series that held our most treasured moments.
A New Journey Begins with Homelabs and Networking
Around this time, my uncle gifted me an old Pentium PC, essentially as scrap. True to my nature, I couldn’t just leave it untouched. This sparked a journey of discovery, leading me to the concept of Network-Attached Storage (NAS). My childhood love for building things kicked in, and after months of research and hands-on tinkering, I successfully built my own NAS from scratch. This experience reinforced my lifelong mindset: “Why buy when you can build?” My NAS and router not only met my needs but also became the backbone of this very website. This project marked the beginning of a deep dive into the world of homelabs and networking, a journey that has been incredibly rewarding. The insights and lessons learned along the way are now shared in the Homelab and Networking section of my blog, offering guidance to others who might embark on similar projects.
Embracing Sustainability and Smart Living
As life continued to evolve, so did my approach to everyday challenges. With inflation affecting daily expenses and financial mismanagement coupled with high taxes adding pressure, I realized the importance of proactive problem-solving. This shift in mindset extended beyond finances and into practical living. Before my marriage, my mother had been involved in home farming, raising hens, and growing vegetables. With the help of my wife and my expertise in optimizing systems, we began to transform our farming practices. We introduced automated water sprayers, installed proper fencing, and optimized the management of water and electricity resources to save both money and time.
Taking it a step further, we started building our own solar energy generation system. Given the lack of good readymade solutions, this was a challenge that I eagerly embraced. Each of these developments is not just a step towards a more sustainable and efficient lifestyle, but also a testament to the DIY spirit that drives me. The detailed tutorials and experiences from these projects are now chronicled in the Farming & Agriculture, Solar Energy Generation, and Smart Home categories of my blog, providing a roadmap for others who seek to enhance their homes and lives in similar ways.
Turning Passion into Profit: Expanding My DIY Endeavors
To offset some of the costs, I began offering hosting services through my NAS to third-party clients. Additionally, I extended my robust DIY firewall to share my internet connection with neighbors, seamlessly integrating my skills into practical solutions. This approach is a natural extension of my ongoing efforts to monetize my skills and turn challenges into opportunities. From my school days through college and into the realm of homelabs, this drive to innovate and create value has been a constant theme in my life. If you’re curious about how I’ve managed to turn my passions into profitable ventures, you can explore these experiences and lessons in the blog category “Monetizing Your Skills.”
Echoes of a Life Lived
In closing, my journey—from the rural roots of Burnpur to the vibrant pursuit of technology and sustainability—has woven a tapestry rich with challenges, growth, and serendipity. Each experience, from early curiosities to deepening passions and personal transformations, has guided me with purpose and direction. Embracing both the highs and lows, I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact of perseverance and innovation.
Will my life have been worthwhile? That is a question for the future to answer. It will be etched into the hearts of those who remember me, in the smiles shared, and in the impacts I may have had along the way.
In the end, it’s not the grandeur but the quiet moments of connection that define our legacy. If I’ve managed to bring a smile to your face or leave a positive mark on your life, then perhaps my journey will have woven itself into yours in ways I may never fully comprehend. As Keanu Reeves reflected in an interview with Stephen Colbert, when asked, “What happens after we die?” his response struck a chord with me, embodying the true measure of a life well-lived. He said;
“I know the ones who love us will miss us.”