You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and twice as beautiful as you’d ever imagined. Don’t let cancer force you to sell yourself short or forget your worth. This is what Yogesh Kumar Barange is all about—he overcame all hurdles including 3rd stage cancer and now steps into the corporate world with an MBA under his belt, sending a message to his juniors that nothing is impossible
After 10,000 capsules, 180 injections, eight operations, an XDR TB patient and last but not the least a cancer patient, Yogesh Barange still hit the bull’s eye in a telling fashion. He says, “Failure is simply an opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” He now works as a business intelligence executive for HomeTown.in, an online shopping business for furniture and home decor.
Yogesh Barange passed out from St. Xavier’s school and then completed his graduation from Career College Bhopal. It was not just studies for Yogesh, but he was also a middle distance champion (400m) in school. His elder brother was studious and a topper in school, so he would always hear his teachers saying, ‘Yogesh, learn from your brother Kamlesh’. Although academics took a back seat in his life, he did have a liking for subjects like history, statistics and case studies. And as he moved out of the school, things changed and so did his academics, as he started to be among the best students of the college. He says, “Sometimes I feel that I lost some good chances during my school days not being among the toppers, despite having the best around me, my parents and teachers at school.”
Yogesh’s father is a retired BHEL employee, who is now busy with agriculture, and his mother is a homemaker. Brother Kamlesh is an engineer, working for Huawei, in Kuwait.
“My school and college days went quite well. School days, I enjoyed the most. Always a personal favorite of the teachers, being good in sports and average in academics, I had some good friends and some lasting friendships. I also played school level cricket which later helped me play four years of professional cricket in Vadodara for U-17 and U-19 and was fortunate to be friends with some cricketers who are representing India, the IPL and Ranji teams currently.
“Then came my college BIMM, a place which has shaped me into a confident person. When I was part of the BIMM student council as Vice President, I enjoyed just everything. The responsibilities, duties and sudden action planning made me a more mature person. For me, problems were just a way towards glory. Networking was the best thing I gained from being a VP. Also when I was not well and suffering from TB, I decided not to quit and went ahead with my duties. My college journey was superb for me except for some bad moments.”
“One was when I started my 1st MOC of my batch that too for Deloitte. I still remember I was shivering, fearing, what if I screw up on stage? It would have a direct impact on the seniors’ placement, as the company had come with that intention. But everyone’s support made me stand tall that day-I still remember my legs shivering while speaking, but I never let it affect my tone. I sounded like a professional, and that was the start of my turning into a confident person.”
“I worked for Airtel broadband in Bhopal distributing flyers on the roads until 11 pm at night. Working hard is the only way to make a human shine. The tough struggles will always make you a champion. And going through hell will always make you stronger."
"Never quit in your life. I never did. I am fighting today and will fight tomorrow, because I am living to make my world shine like the brightest star of the universe. Everyone faces problems in life—please do what is good for you always. Don’t worry about what people will say and react"
“The story starts from October 2016 when I was given the responsibilities of VP at BIMM. That was when my health went down. I started coughing. And it was so intense that I used to cry while coughing. I went to the doctor and he shocked me saying that it was level 1 TB and I started having 16 tablets a day. Everything went well but I kept on losing weight, from 85 kg to 56 kg, at the time of my first chemotherapy. I got placed and started my job from 15th May 2017, but I worked just for 15 days and I had to go back home. The toughest phase of my life was just about to start. Before that I suffered from hyper drug reaction all over my skin, which was the fault of the hospital where I was admitted. I tested positive for cancer, though my family did not tell me.
“They came with me to Mumbai and admitted me to the Tata cancer hospital. On 1 July 2017, after all tests and scans, the doctor told us that I was suffering from Lymphoma 3rd stage cancer, which had damaged both my lungs and some part of my brain. I was already battling with Level 1 TB, and one more surprise came my way—I got promoted to Level 2 XDR TB for which I took 180 injections from August 3 2017 to 31st January 2018, in a row. My rear had become rock hard due to the insertion of needles every day, but I had to bear everything.”
“I took six sessions of chemotherapy. I went through a lot those days. I killed 95 per cent of cancer cells after my 4th chemotherapy, all thanks to my mother and her love and also due to Ayurvedic medicine. My doctors were still shocked to know that 95% of the cancer cells were killed. Cancer had given me mental, physical and emotional pain. Everyone supported me in my fight against cancer—my family were my pillars of support, especially my mother. Without her I would not be living today and sharing my life experiences with you. My father and brother are my lifelines.”
“People ask me if I have seen God. Yes, I have an answer to them. My family is my God. I have gone through so much pain that I wish no one goes through the same. People stayed away from me when they saw me without eyebrows. People look at cancer patients with a feeling of awe.”
“I have received huge emotional and financial support from Sri Balaji Society throughout my MBA course—especially Bala sir, Vikas sir, Biju sir and Archana Ma’am. My batch mates, the “Exemplars” and my juniors, the “Champions”, have supported me always. They welcomed me like a star at the convocation.”
Yogesh at his convocation ceremony
He was a candidate for over ten companies and made it to the last round in nine companies. Finally it was HomeTown, and this happened in the year 2017. He did have experience of working for 28 months in two companies, Airtel and ICICI Bank before HomeTown. For him his future got a kick-start with this future group as it opened a new lease in his life. Most importantly, it helped him in making a good base in the competitive corporate world. According to him, the best part of being with HomeTown is that they help aspirants build their future.
Placement is a word every student hears when he/she enters college and for Barange too, it was no different. Thanks to the ambience in his college, the seniors in the college were at the forefront to help juniors, preparing them for the judgment day. So, there was no fear factor involved for Barange. The best part of this college was that it was not just the student who was worried, but the entire college faculty and batch mates. That boosted his confidence and he wanted to give his best. A fighter, as he was better known, challenges were nothing new and Barange would take them head on, as he was well aware that the journey in the corporate world would not be easy.
“The credit for my success goes to my family. They are my everything and the way they have been with me throughout made me go screaming for success. I have fought many battles especially going through the third stage of cancer. Pain has made me dedicated and courageous to go for wins in upcoming battles. The human brain is the most powerful weapon, and if you have mastery over it, you are a genius. In my opinion, if you lose heart at the start, you can never win. I have learnt that defeats make you hungry for victory and you will clear all battles with efficiency. Continuous efforts and sheer hard work makes a champion,” says Yogesh.
"The best achievement for me was when I killed 3rd stage lymphoma cancer cells in my body just after the fourth dose of chemotherapy. That day, I saw my family’s happiness after six months of pain"
“The best achievement for me was when I killed 3rd stage lymphoma cancer cells in my body just after the fourth dose of chemotherapy. That day, I saw my family’s happiness after six months of pain. They have sacrificed everything for me and I owe my life to them”, adds Yogesh.
“Life, for me, is the best four-lettered word. I have been through so many ups and downs that I have started seeing my life from an angle of enjoying and living each day. It’s good to dream and think about the future. Without dreams there will be no life. But dreams will only be fulfilled when you work day in and day out. I have fallen on ‘n’ number of occasions but still I am fighting to make a name for myself. I always believe that you get only one life - dare to be different because many don’t venture out of their comfort zone for fear of failure. My life has always tested me on all parameters, whether profession, personal or spiritual”, says Yogesh.
“My life is fully dedicated to my family and their happiness and I proudly say that my family is my “LIFE”, says Yogesh.
“Right now I am working as a business intelligence executive in Mumbai looking into an important analysis of reports, which are important for business and operation metrics. I was earlier a part of the e-commerce team handling catalogue listing for home ware products of HomeTown and other market places like Paytm, Flipkart etc.,” says Yogesh.
“Never quit in your life. I never did. I am fighting today and will fight tomorrow, because I am living to make my world shine like the brightest star of the universe. Everyone faces problems in life—please do what is good for you always. Don’t worry about what people will say and react. Always think about your glory and success. Never quit because the day you quit, this world will devour you up”, says Yogesh.
Yogesh getting his treatment
Yogesh with his friendsBy Joe Williams
