I was 20 years old when I returned home without writing my final year Bsc examination. I told my father I thought I would fail so I skipped the exam.
To my surprise, he was very calm. He told me it was okay with him if that was what I thought. He said I should be able to write the exams next year.
Nine years later, I stood before him with the woman I wanted to marry. She was from another state and belonged to another religion. Once again, he surprised me by accepting us with a happy smile. He even arranged for our marriage by bribing the registrar ;-).
Now, I work in New York as a consultant to a Fortune 100 company.
Whenever I talk to my father, I am amazed by the depth and breadth of his knowledge, and his different perspectives about the world. My father, who was only able to study until the fourth standard, brought up a family without ever letting us know how much he
struggled.
Like most men, my father is my role model. I just hope I can bring up my son the way he brought up his.
----Previously published on Rediff.com in 2004 -----------
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