The Maze of Winding Amazement; Trisanka Banik opens up about his motivational videos

July 28: Trisanka Banik is a promising youngster who is causing ripples on social media with his motivational videos, all part of the ingenious series titled “MAZE”. He is the illustrious son of worthy parents Tamal Kanti Banik and Sampa Banik- both highly respected names from the spheres of culture and public life. In this free-flowing interaction, Trisanka, a second year MBA student who studies in Pune, tells the readers of way2barak about his creative beginnings, traditional versus modern management, his celebrated parents and his approach on coping with the pandemic. Dr. Himabrata Das listens with apt attention as Trisanka Banik opens up his heart about his motivational videos.

(The MAZE Journey)

“The idea occured to me last year. My father suggested the name and I stuck to it. At the time, I was better as a speaker than as a listener. I benefited by watching Gaur Gopal Das’ videos and figured how ubiquitous quotes are in our daily life. Quotes are prone to being interpreted differently by different people. It’s important that the abstract meaning behind the quotes are analysed rather than merely the literal or the concrete assertion. To each his own. But quotes are interesting starting points for intriguing conversations about self-actualisation. The three popular themes I have touched upon include:

• ACCEPT MISTAKES: It’s not enough to just admit and confess.Unless you rectify yourself,there is no point accepting. This is at the heart of traumatic relationships that many youngsters find themselves grappling with.
• EXPERIENCE: It is always assumed that experience is a purely personal entity whereas on the contrary,we can learn a great deal more if we look around us and assimilate the learning from the experiences of those in our proximity.
• YOU ONLY DIE ONCE: My recent video was on the back of a shattering personal tragedy. It moved me to see my ‘mama’ (uncle) who succumbed to cancer giving up on life as the malady kept getting the better of him. It made me wonder how we equate the terms “life” and “living”. Life is not meant to be taken very seriously. Life will keep throwing challenges all the time. But that does not mean we lose sight of the deeper meaning and purpose of life. At times of crisis, youngsters often contemplate death. Death should evoke regret at the untapered potential consequent upon the demise. Death should not be glamourised as an escape or a release by youngsters.

(On how modern management values understanding the mind)

As opposed to traditional management, modern management lays immense emphasis on understanding the mind. Our age is defined by users “buying emotions and experiences” rather than “commodities”. Efficient communication has become of utmost importance as we engage with an evolving cohort of consumers. Edison positioned the electric bulb as an innovative breakthrough that found resonance with the market elevating himself to a gigantic stature despite being one of several researchers who were working on the same discovery. It’s important that marketeers of the future are more mindful of the workings of the mind.

(On his parents)
My parents are friendly and I have been open with them about all the details of my life. My parents are role models and I would be grateful if I could ever achieve half of what my father has. He is a believer that command over English provides a competitive edge in India. He would speak with me in English at home and that has really helped me. Watching his passion and diligence has given me the confidence to speak in public and conduct myself.

My mother is the stronger of the two. What she has achieved on stage and in her public life is remarkable. She is ambitious and believes in chasing her dreams. She has successfully broken the stereotype of a house-maker with a vernacular medium schooling and emerged victorious fighting all odds. My mother reminds me how ambiguity towards the unknown evokes fear and how inquisitiveness and zeal can lead to fulfillment.

(How to cope with the pandemic)
Online education has become the norm in these troubled times.It has been difficult for students of all ages. I guess every generation faces its own set of unique problems. You have to salute the pre-Google era who despite many hurdles found access to the best educational resources to enrich themselves. It is important for youngsters to be productive no matter what their daily routine might be. Youngsters have to take the pandemic positively and realise that they are unlikely to stumble upon an opportunity like this to reconnect and introspect. The Internet has brought the world to our smartphones. Now is the time to seize the moment and keep improving. Now is the time to stretch the limits of conventional pedagogy and to listen to speakers and influencers and reconfigure oneself for an exciting future ahead.

(Trisanka’s videos can also be seen  on his Instagram handle trisanka_banik.)

Dr. Himabrata Das, Registrar, Department of Psychiatry, Tezpur Medical College & Hospital (TMCH). Apart from this, he is a vivid lover of sports, an eloquent commentator and a columnist.