He returned home riding on a car through a glittering procession set up by his villagers from Magra Rail station to his home at Uriyapukur village. It was the first-ever celebration for a footballer in the town. 

Chaku Mandi, captain of the Santosh Trophy-winning Bengal terms it as an ever-memorable equally as the function where he and his teammates were handed over appointment letters. 

Chaku also claimed he never imagined his name would be inscribed in the history of Bengal football as the team's captain. When asked about his feelings, the 24-year-old defensive midfielder did not take time to exclaim, 

"Sanjoy Sir deserves the credit for this historic triumph similarly. It was his effort to make us disciplined, uniformed, and finally like a family. Before we started our campaign in the final phase of the competition in Hyderabad, Sir had the only words for us that there is no 'unbeatable' team in the world. He asked us to keep patience and not to give up. His motivational words helped us to believe that we also can do." 

The Son of a farmer had a passion for the game since childhood, but he remembers Khokon Tudu, also a former footballer in his locality. "Khokon Tudu was the man who had 'jeweler's eyes'. He helped Chaku develop his basics and took him to Anup Nag who was then the coach of Kalighat MS. 

“Anup Nag also has an immense contribution to my growth. He took me to a coaching camp in Janai. It took almost a whole day to go to Janai for training and return.”

"So Anup sir helped me to stay in Janai so that I could avoid the hassle. Then his insistence helped me sign for the premier division team, BSS at a time when I did not have any prior experience of playing in any division,” described Chaku. 

Chaku also never imagined he would be roped in by East Bengal reserves last season and get the opportunity to take part in 10 matches in the CFL.

Ahead of the Kolkata derby on 11th January, the midfielder revealed he dreams of playing in a 'derby'. Being an East Bengal fan, Chaku divulged he also becomes tensed before the match like millions of fans and he also disclosed he does prayer for his team in the morning of every derby. 

"I have experience of watching derby sitting in the stands. Every time I become thrilled. I know this match has changed several footballers' careers. Now, I aim to get into the club's first team and play the derby in the ISL.

"In a bid to reach that standard I will follow Sanjoy Sir's advice of becoming disciplined and then a devotee," concluded the captain.