New Hope and Encouragement

The last post was about the struggle to get through the Tamil language exam for my son.
He got through it and was very relieved that he would not have to face that teacher ever again.

We were sure about his getting accepted for French language. But the Principal din't think our son would manage French that well and asked us to continue him with Tamil or some other language. Our hearts sank. Though they gave permission for my other son to opt for French, for this son, they were reluctant. As usual, I wrote a letter requesting but it din't work.

The boys were segregated according to the language they opted for. My son was so crest-fallen that he began to sound desperate and promised that he would score high marks if he were allowed to prove himself. That is when I decided to meet the principal personally and convince somehow. Initially he would not listen to it at all. He showed me my son's marks in English (he would score an average of 76 or 77%) this was not good enough to learn French was the reply!!

I then kept assuring him that I would personally see to his performing well in French. The principal gave in finally. I was very happy and had high hopes for my son.

He went on to study French with such a passion and both sons scored similar high marks in French. The chance given was encouragement itself and my son proved me right after all.

What if he were denied that opportunity? He would have been discouraged for life. These matters are decided so arbitrarily by people sitting in high posts.
I am happy I stood ground and got him the option to study French.

Cheers!

Mahalakshmi.

To Desire For More

Dear Readers,

I remember when I was in school and the rank I got always mattered to me as well as those around me.

I would like to have said I was the first in class but the ranks would always be within the first 5. Mostly the 3rd rank till about the 8th standard.

I have prayed to lord Ganesha for the 2nd rank in exchange of an offering of a coconut! But 3rd it was most times.

Then due to the Telangana agitation in the late sixties and early seventies, all of us lost one year at school or college. So my uncle who had just started a tutorial college found a private candidate in me appearing for the 11th HSC straight without even decently finishing my 9th standard from Vivek Vardhini Kanya Shala, Hyderabad!

I remember we were just 4 candidates appearing that year for the HSC from Sri Vidya Tutorials.

I was the topper having secured a second class! After seeing my results I thought God could have given me a first class. This trend seemed to follow my thinking through my higher education. If I got 62% I would think how nice if I had got distinction. If I scored a distinction, I would think how nice if I could have got the gold medal. I realized how futile it is to think about the results after they have come out!
I had friends who scored different percentages and their reactions were anything but hilarious when heard out. X felt she could have at least got pass marks as she had failed in the B.Com. Y felt she could have got a 2nd division but she got only a 3rd which disappointed her a lot. I got a 2d division and thought I could have done with a higher
2nd! Well there appeared to be really no end to this kind of wanting..

Then came a time when I started earning. If the pay was Rs.200/-per month I would dream of what I could have done if my pay was Rs.300/- There seemed to be no end to this cycle until I was at the cross roads in the year 1996 with no interest in working for others. Realization came that we can lead a simple life with simple wants and earn just that minimum which can see us through every month. So it was time to set up a business and pick projects my husband and I could easily handle. There was no dearth for engineering projects and we worked for some of the best companies and star hotel groups for the past
15 years now. We earned more than we expected. At times we had to employ 8 boys to see us through some important projects. I have no regrets and no high expectations either. Life is simple when kept to the bare minimum. That does not however mean that we don’t enjoy life or living. We are still able to get the best out of life through the various interests we have cultivated over a period of time.

But the main thing in all this was the studious avoiding of comparing ourselves with anyone, be it our own siblings who were doing well nor our relatives or friends. I think if we are past caring about petty things we can enjoy our lives being satisfied with what we have and not crib about not having something which is out of reach.

Psst… having said all the above I have one confession to make though. Over a period of time we have accumulated so many things at home which we don’t use. They occupy space in the lofts above. Both of us have made a promise that we should clear the things we have not missed using over a period of one year. Then and only then can we truly call ours a simple living. Now this is a new project which requires our attention!!

Cheers!

Mahalakshmi