KHUSHI SE...: October 2009

28^th Oct 2009 will mark the completion of 30 years in this world for me. When I look back, it’s not far behind of my memories.

In a small village of South India, a boy born in the family after two Elder sons, was just a below expected event. Everyone out there expected a girl but got a boy, well not in anyone’s hand. The Doctor was being offered the boy just to show loyalty for his helping gesture. A humbled rejection by the doctor mentioning “Parents are the one with whom the children should live as they understand their child much more than themselves”. I was 0 years Old then.

A Brave decision. Taking a rental house in Odisa (The then Orissa) and making all 3 kids take admission in the good schools available for a proper education is the best we ever had. Me and my immediate elder brother taking admission in Gandhi memorial Middle English (GMME) School and elder most brother in Maharaja Boys High (MRBH) school. New school, new friends, new teachers’ well scary teachers with a stick with them to punish the kids. No doubt I have to sit with my bro at 5^th standard rather than 1^st standard to avoid the scary teacher. When forced to shift to 1^st standard, the lady teacher has to bear the bite from the young kid. I was 5 years Old then.

Consistent poor performance at school for 3 years, concerned parents tried tuition for all 3 kids. Numbers became the interesting part of life. Addition, Subtraction, division and particularly multiplication became very interesting subjects. Thanks to mom’s multiplication table mug-up theory. Everyone in family surprised over the mathematics performance at the final result. 98 out of 100 (2 marks deducted as 100 out of 100 not allowed). Remarkable English grasping power with correct spelling of own village “jagannathpur” made the younger most kid the self declared brightest among the brothers. I was 10 years old then.

The worst period of one’s life. Away from parents especially mom. A Lonely, shy little boy trying hard to hide the tears and searching for a shoulder to put the head on to cry. Unfortunately find none. Isolated and broken at heart, looking at the starry nights expecting a better day to come where he would be getting the lost affections of the mother and to be treated as just another kid rather than considering a burden by so called aunt. Nothing helped but some drops of tears in the eyes. At academic, it was a just pass in the final exam. I was 12 Years old then.

Shifted to High School. So tried to shift my attention towards a future where I would be the only responsible for my success or failure. Stayed with my brothers. Uncle & aunt moved to a different location by then. Thanks god for the govt transfer policy. Then there was only one target. Doing well in 10^th Board, proving myself worth of something where I was the sole responsible. A first class in 10^th board was the first achievement of myself, thus my family. I was 15 years old then.

Teen aged. Entry into the college. Get attracted and being attracted is just the flavor of the season. A beautiful Girl wearing a necklace with S engraved on it for her love, surprisingly me, was just a pleasure moment to celebrate love and happiness in college. School topper in 12^th Board, Clearing entrance exam for a Govt organization and getting selected as per the all India merit list was just a thrilling achievement. Send off by Grandpa and grandma for an exciting career start at Bangalore was just one of the unforgettable moments of my life. I was 18 years old then.

Being employed at an early age and getting noticed by near and dears was one of the achievements for the individual as well as the family members which only few could achieve. But Growth is life. No growth no life. The unfulfilled goals must be achieved. Getting a computer master was just a wish in the inner heart. Electronic city Bangalore and heritage city Agra played a great role in achieving the first certification of my choice, a Bachelor in Computer Application. I was 23 years old then.

Being with bachelors all times inside the campus, it was a craze to see a girl smiling in return. A simple girl was always welcome for a boy who was simple at heart. The wait was over and the most waited girl was pratiksha. The chemistry matched, so the mathematics at the Orange city Nagpur. Emotional and physical satisfaction was the way to mental satisfaction. Cleared another milestone MCA with an urge to do something meaningful in life. It was time to move on and get settled. OCP and Marriage fulfilled the goal. I was 28 years old then.

Lighting a birthday candle with my beloved wife, cute daughter, happy parents, and settled brothers is the way to celebrate half of the way passed and with a hope to make life more meaningful in terms of growth, prosperity and happiness for the rest half. For me, the real life started at 18, so it’s not 30 but it’s just 18 with 12 years of experience…

Many Happy returns of the day ahead !!!

Sunil