THRISSUR:
Toeing his father’s line, K S Sushith took to carpentry to support his study and his family when he had just turned 14. Looking back, the 22-year-old national skills competition prize winner from nearby Kariyannur says the work he picked up in his early teens is not just a means of livelihood but a source of pride and joy as well.
A student of Industrial Training Institute (ITI) at Chalakkudy, Sushith first put to full display his dexterity in the district, zonal, and state level competitions of India Skills Kerala 2018, conducted by the state Industrial Training Department (ITD) and Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence (KASE). He then represented the state in the South Indian and national level competitions, where he outshone rivals.
Sushith did not stop there. He represented India in the Euro skill Budapest in October 2018. Though he had to be content with the sixth place in the event, it was a momentous achievement considering that it was India’s maiden entry into the international. There were nine disciplines from India and the contestants were amply supported by the coaches.
“I am proud to say that I eke out a living through carpentry. After my success at skill competitions, people I meet often ask me how I could bag big medals out of this job. I am only too happy to tell them that passion, dedication and hard work help you excel in any stream of skill you choose as your profession,” said Sushith.
His journey to the celebrity status began when his brother asked him to apply for the skills competitions after coming across the notification about it in a newspaper. After emerging winner at the district and zonal competitions, Sushith went on to bag a silver medal in the state-level event.
He then made a mark in South Indian and national competitions, snatching a gold and silver medal respectively. No wonder, congratulations and felicitations kept pouring in from all quarters, and surprisingly, some of his peers expressed interest to pursue this profession!
On his sterling performance, Sushith feels that his practical knowledge and experience have helped him pip competitors from noted institutes. “I joined the ITI later. I was not even aware of the norms and regulations of the competitions. But I did the job like I do it at my village,” he explains, adding that devotion and commitment were the catalysts that helped him emerge a prize-winner in the prestigious event.
Born to KR Soman and PV Shylaja, Sushith is the eldest of their four sons. His winning spree began from India Skills Kerala with a common man’s profession, which catapulted him to the world arena. Now, carpentry is central to his life, Sushith hopes that the contestants in the upcoming competitions will take a lesson or two from earlier winners like him.
