The Unspoken Speech

Maatha, Pitha, Guru, Deivam; my list is a little bit appended. Maatha, Pitha, Guru, Nanban, Deivam. It’s almost natural that every generation would outgrow its previous generation. I have certainly grown from a small middle class family in the streets of Chennai to now becoming a scientist. It was always because, I was almost always dreaming and imagining what life can be. My family, friends, and surroundings facilitated me in doing so. Kids can dream but they always need a proper helping hand, to guide them, nurture them and protect them. I certainly had a lot of help and good fortune in being continuously navigated through my childhood, teenage, pre-adolescent years to adulthood. This is a dedication to them for I am forever grateful, forever humbled by their care, love and affection.

Maatha: (Amma and Akka)

I am proud to say I have 2 mothers; both of who immensely care, love and show unconditional love towards me every day. 

My mom was, is and will always be someone who pampered me the most in my life, showed me unconditional love and treated me like a king. The type of things she has done to my life has carved a mark on my personality even till this date. A brave woman, who taught me everything from people skills, responsibilities to priorities in life. She was clearly the reason that I understand the phrase, “Think from your heart not from your brain”. At a certain moment of my life there came a very instant where she showed me what it meant to think from the heart. I had huge aspirations to study abroad since high school. Later in college, there was another desire to not pursue a normal career path and to continue doing research and become a scientist. To make a long story short, it resulted in a situation wherein, I had closed all exits and options and thought only about studying further. But in the wonderful twists and tales that life was to offer, that dint seem like a logical thing to do as the financial struggle that the family would have to face was insurmountable. At least this was my very logical perspective, so I decided to drop my dream of leaving the country in pursuing the one thing that I really wanted to do in life. A whole line of family friends came to understand and listen to my perspective and also tried to convince me to leave. After however listening to my logical perspective on the issue, they were easily convinced of the opposite and agreed with what I felt. Not my Mom though, she saw the story a lot differently than I did. Although there can be financial obstacles in life, she felt you shouldn't lose hope, perspective on your dreams in life. She felt even if I did not achieve what I set out for in the field of research, it wouldn't be as much of a failure as it would be if I didn't even try and see what’s at stake. I am forever grateful for this life lesson and I don't think I can ever do anything as great as what you have done for my life. I am living my dream because of you and for that I am forever grateful and indebted.

My second mother (my lovely sister) is rather a very unusual character or atleast that's how I have always looked at her. Right from childhood, both my parents were working and so we were almost always growing up by ourselves. We came back from school to empty home, feeding ourselves on whatever snack was available, playing with kids and neighbors, defining our own curfew, limits and boundaries. This would have been like walking on knife for any other kid, but I dint have to worry since I always had my sister to guide me. She somehow knew, what she and I have to be doing at a very young age. Just so you know, the age difference is merely a year and half between us and yet she used to take the leadership role in scheduling time for snack, playing etc. A very early boomer exceptionally matured and her maternal instincts began because of me or so I think. Just as an example, when I was in middle school probably 5^th grade, we had this habit of discussing the day with each other, as we were our only companions. I had a history/civics test that day and my zest to score the highest score got the best of me as I asked the person next to me for an answer to a question that I dint know. I was successful in getting the answer without getting caught and scored high marks that day. I probably got one point extra because I got that answer from that classmate, but when I was telling my sister this story I saw her infuriated with anger. I quite dint understand at first what she was mad at me for. She said and I quote “I wouldn't have been bothered even if you had failed, but the fact that you copied/cheated in a test makes me feel ashamed of you”. That was a life lesson; I still think and refer to this story as the moral compass event in my life as it taught me about ethics and professionalism. Till this day, its been the guiding principle for the my research and career life. She has been in more than one time the moral compass, to help me know between right and wrong. I am not sure how god created such a divine being but I am and forever revere that special bondage that I share with my lovely sister.

Pitha (Appa):

My dad is the reason for my sense of respect I have towards education and logic. There is nothing I am aware of that he does not know. He had immense grip on the English language that I remember I used to be in awe when he was writing my letter of absence for school. Even my family and friends used to come to my dad for the same. He was also the legal/career council for a lot of people. There were many a times when my dad would be giving career advise to my friends, cousins and family members who used to tell me how lucky I was to have such a knowledgeable father. Although his approach with me was rather different, he never used to tell me what my next steps are. He just gave me a general outline and asked me to somehow figure things out of what I want to do with my life. I was definitely confused, baffled with the responsibility and yet I understand now why he handled me that way. He wanted me to own my life, he never wanted me to fulfill things that he couldn't accomplish. He somehow was the best mentor I could ask for and that's what each father should be, a fantastic mentor. Another trait that I acquired from him is the sense of value for ones duty. I have never seen him give excuses at work or deliver jobs incompletely. The sense of punctuality and pride in ones work is something that got instilled in me and I shall forever cherish that.

Guru (Uncle & Athimber):

         Everyone of god’s creation is divine. We can certainly enjoy the various characters that get displayed through the human form. Only some people however become your close confidante, godfather, and guardian like well-wishers. Guru is a title I give to my dear uncle and athimber for they certainly have carved my outlook on life. These people taught me without taking lessons or talking down on me. Their methods were unconventional; they just brought me so close to their lives and made me see life and the reasons for the choices they make. They never implied however that I should follow or live that same kind of lifestyle. My uncle, who I consider as my spiritual guru, has this great magnetic personality with an ever-smiling face. I can have the most unpleasant time at work or personal life but when I discuss it with him he puts things in perspective and makes me feel light of the situation. I have always felt an unbelievable amount of calmness and peace inside of me whenever I spend time with him. Life throws at you its ups and downs but you should not be moved by it.

       

  I have immense amount of respect for my athimber.  All you need to be successful is to completely believe in yourself and if lucky have someone else believe in you and your ideas. I feel extremely lucky in life because of such magnificent people to believe in me. I still remember the day when I had no real resources to fund my education and my athimber put his trust and belief in my dreams. He was not just there to encourage me but also made me feel so comfortable in using his resources to fund my education. That was remarkable as anyone else could have loaned me the money but no one other than my athimber could have made me feel a sense of pride in my dream.

Nanban:        

They say, “Show me who your friend and I shall tell you what type of person you are”. I most certainly corroborate with that statement. My friends played a huge role in my personality, habits and attitude. I have close friends who have stuck with me since high school and have made me feel and believe in myself when I certainly was not going through a great time in my life. They have been very much a part of my life and family even to the extent of putting 

themselves through trouble with their own family. Such wonderful friends, who travelled half way across the globe to just be a part of my wedding and share my happiness. One such friend even came and performed in my wedding. It’s just an amazing feeling to have such lovely people part of your life. Talking about friends, it’s not fair to not mention my wife who is one of my best friends. I have always wondered what is it about friendship and friends that is valued so much. When I was thinking about this, I immediately think about all the good times that I have shared with my friends. Let it be the coffee breaks, dinner or lunch sessions; something makes the time we spend with our friends enjoyable more than others. It’s probably because our friends let us feel comfortable with ourselves more than anyone else. Not that they don't express their point of views when it’s necessary but respecting each other’s opinions.

Deivam: (GOD)

         There are things in life that can’t be seen but can only be felt. Deivam falls into that eccentric category. It has to be said that, god’s presence is very much a matter of belief. Some people have such belief and some people don't. I have the belief in divinity because of the aforementioned people. All of them are infact wonderful divine creations that have manifested some amount of divinity through their actions or presence.

So chase your dreams, live your life and don't be afraid of failures as you usually will get some helping hand or find extra-ordinary strength in yourself.

         The purpose of this entire writing is not just to thank people in my life. I don't want to miss the opportunity to share with the world how much these people mean the world to me

                                          Thank you