Summary
The chapter "Hobby Turns into a Successful Career" is from the 8th standard English textbook (Unit 2 - Prose). It presents three inspiring real-life stories that demonstrate how hobbies, when nurtured with dedication and passion, can transform into successful careers.
Section I introduces Mani, a village school boy who initially struggled with reading and writing. His grandfather helped him by reading bedtime stories, which gradually sparked Mani's love for reading and eventually writing. Mani's essay describes how writing became his favourite hobby. He compares writing to "painting our voice" and explains how it helps him relax, imagine fantastical worlds, and entertain small children with his stories. He aspires to become a writer like R.K. Narayan.
Section II tells the story of Ajay Kumar Garg, a talented young artist from Jaipur who became permanently hearing impaired after a medical treatment at the age of three. When his father bought him a paint set, Ajay started painting happily on walls and floors. A court artist named Shri Sua Lal noticed his talent and began training him. Later, under the mentorship of Asha Devi, Ajay mastered the 'Traditional Indian Miniature Painting' technique. He exhibited 150 paintings, sold 144 of them, and was awarded a national award by Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in 2004. Ajay also works for the welfare of hearing-impaired people and aims to revitalise the dying art of miniature paintings.