Guess the guest of honour

TO SOME ONE DEAR

This post is delayed at least by a fortnight. My feelings for the same. However it is always better to be late than never and hence the post.And I post it at this time to co inside with another mile stone, touched upon later in the blog.

It all happened two and half decades back. The child who had not yet come out of the warmth of bosom of mother has to be removed (of course with no force at all which till date remains to be a mystery. as there had been no cry, no tears what so ever) by the grand father to accommodate the expected arrival of the younger sibling.

The child shifted to another shoulder shortly after words and the person who lent the shoulder did not know then that the child is going to be the best of friends to him in the years to come.

Then the time for admission to school. Both father and mother of the child with anxiety written all over their face wait at the school to ensure that the child is free of all worries and settles down fast. To their surprise, the child gets out of the two wheeler steps in to the school walks over to the identified teacher and that is all. No turning back, no flying kisses, no “ tata –bye bye” to the waiting parents. It was a moment of mixed feelings for the parents. They did not know that it is an indication of the child’s response that is going to be not only at that moment but also in times to come. By the time the schooling is over the child has proved that there is an uniqueness, around, which can only be watched and appreciated and nothing could be done to tamper with it.

Then comes the college. The child (now growing into an adult) is allowed freedom to choose. A choice is made. Soon it was thought to be a wrong choice and next choice is exercised. Even this proves to be wrong in no time. But there is no question of giving it up easily. There are two unspelt reasons for the same. One is to try till it is proved other wise and the other is to reduce the agony of those who matter. Finally, when it comes to the question of bursting out, the third choice is made. And it is certain by now that the choice has to succeed. There is a vision and there is a promise within and an unspoken commitment to the outside world, to the persons who matter.

VISION, COMMITMENT AND PLAN OF ACTION, when they converge, the result ought to be an astounding success.

That is precisely what happened. At the end of the academics, (a chequerd one at that) to come out in flying colors by topping the list and winning the gold medal is no ordinary feat. But the same was achieved with out batting an eyelid, and the art, of treating the success on par with failure and not to be either jubilant or desolate, was given a fine perfection in those moments.

There was immediately an opening by way of campus placement. That too in one of the most popular IT companies, very near to the place of residence. But the fire to prove (or is it the desire and passion to excel!) was still alive within. And that paved the way for entry into one of the most prestigious institutions offering the best of courses on language of sciences. Some one said that when times become tough, the toughest gets going. The going started then and goes on till now.

I had an opportunity of going thru the glimpses in the life of Ravindranath Tagore thru, a presentation on wheels (By Northern Railway) when I was awaiting at Kalka station for onward journey to Delhi. The life of TAGORE, the advent of Shanthi Niketan, the great works of Tagore and the Nobel prize conferred on him all proved one point. Genius within one person will come to the forefront not withstanding the limitations within which they are confined. Just thought it fit to share at this juncture.

Continuing from where I transgressed a bit, institution recognized the talent and gave an outstanding rating. And the two years stint saw the friendship growing after a gap, thanks to the transfers, which made life to be lead to gether. Perfect harmony, perfect demarcation, perfect understandingJ. However life, unless the surprise element is there will become dull and dreary, is it not.J.and the surprise element came..

It was not known at the time when it struck. It was almost like a lightning; after it struck, it makes you go blind (in a literal sense) for a few moments. Moments in this case happen to be almost more than 12 months. And what a period it was, one, which challenged the inner reserves, one that raised several questions on life, relationship and survival. It was clearly known (though not then, but in retrospect now) that it was another experience intended to leave one stronger and merrier after the initial onslaught.
’Puyalukku pinne amaithi, varum puyalukku mun varum oru pathi”.

The transformation that followed was something amazing, remarkable and unparalleled. And the transformation resulted in culmination of completion of one of the most brilliant and detailed thesis on a subject, (which few people dare to tread upon) in a record time and the fact remained that not with standing the Guru’s blessings (Which no doubt is a must in such pursuits), there was a hidden potential, of which possibly a fraction alone has been unearthed so far.

A shy child, an introvert, slowly getting converted in to a matured adult and an extrovertJ. A face portraying signs of stress and strain, giving rise to a face with a knowing /reassuring smile, a temperament which always used to be friendly and warm evolving into one of empathy and reassurance…The list is endless.

A seed , shouldered two and half decades back with out any expectation, has repaid with its cool shades , by growing into a banyan tree. Thank you my dear friend son. It is the best that I can give you , belatedly on your birth day.(at the point of time when you are going to complete your 100 days stint at Hongkong(on 27th MARCH 2011), on another one of your favourite pursuits.

Hip hip hurray, may you go from strngth to strength and may there be calm , quiet and peace all around you and to you in plenty.

PS. And belated greetings to one another friend “R” too who shares the birthday with my son