MAKE HAY WHEN THE SUN SHINES
“The sun
doesn't just hang on one family's tree.”
One thing
I learnt, quite early in life, was to be crystal clear on what I wanted to be,
as far as my vocation was concerned. I wanted to be a good teacher and I wanted
to be a good writer… Because, the very thought of it made me feel happy and
confident… I could see myself literally on my wings… I loved the idea of empowering
young boys and girls… and, I had decided to do only that, come what may!
Being definite about one’s chief aim in life was the
foundation lesson in Napoleon Hill’s ‘Think and Grow Rich’, the book that made
the greatest impact on my life when I needed it the most. It was close to four
decades ago. I was young and I was new to this city… I was dreaming constantly,
and I was reading ‘Think and Grow Rich’, over and over again. I was staying
with my uncle, who was a simple man. I did not want to put more burden on his
family. So, after a four-month spell of ‘wandering and dreaming’, one morning,
I had walked into Anushakti Nagar colony and begun to knock doors… “I want to
teach eleventh and twelfth standard Commerce students”… I was burning with
enthusiasm and confidence. And, because I had burnt all the bridges behind me –
kept no options – yes, because I was hell-bent to succeed in achieving my definite
goal of being a teacher, the doors opened for me!
Literally!
Yes, the doors opened!
“ When you want something badly, all the Universe
conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Well, I came across this famous quote of Paulo Coelho (in ‘The Alchemist’)
much later in life. But, how Napoleon Hill drilled it into my head was: If you
want to win the battle and the enemy looks overwhelming, burn all your boats…
Now, you have to win or perish!
I had decided not to do anything else in life, but teaching.
But, I did not want to teach in a college or institution run by someone else… I
wanted to teach in my own little institution… I cherished my freedom… I abhorred
the stereotype way of learning and teaching… I wanted to work the way my heart
was longing to…
So, within a few days of walking into Anushakti Nagar, I had
formed many small tuition groups. I was a few years older than my students…
and, they loved the madness in this young man. It was easy to connect to them…
Money was not important at all from the day one, though I needed it desperately…
I loved teaching. Perhaps, at hindsight, I think, that was the magic wand I was
using to make my place in this world…
I still use that!
Hardly a month or so into my plunge, one evening, a student
of mine told me, that her classmate’s (Radha's) father, Mr. Seshadri, the Principal of
the Atomic Energy Junior College (which was located in Anushakti Nagar) wanted to see me. Even though I did not know
why he wanted to see me, I went to meet him at his residence in the same
colony. He said, that he had heard about me from his daughter and her friends. “Mrs.
Geeta Kulkarni, our Accountancy lecturer, is scheduled to go on a three-month
maternity leave,” Mr. Seshadri said, “We are looking for someone to teach in
her place on a temporary basis… Are you willing to take it up?”
It took a while to sink in... On the one side, I had decided
not to take up a teaching job in a college. On the other side, it could be a
life-time break to make my mark. Anyway, it was a temporary posting, after
which, I was free to go about the way I liked…
I said, “Yes Sir”!
Let me confess: This was the most crucial ‘Yes’ I had said in
life… Had I not said ‘Yes’ that evening, the course of my journey would have
been significantly different…
Geeta ma’am had decided to extend her leave. So, I had to
complete the academic year. When the next academic year started, I was
persuaded by the management to hang on for some more time. But, then, AEJC had
already done the needful for me… I had become hugely popular among students. As
I knew I would not continue to work in the college, I had begun to take bigger
steps in setting up my own teaching space… A few months into the second
academic year, I called it a day. A sweet send off awaited… It gave a great boost
to my self-confidence…
I never looked back, after that!
But, paradoxically, I have ‘looked back’ with a sheer sense
of awe at that ‘Lucky Break’ of mine. I have never ever believed in ‘luck’ in
my life; I have only believed in ‘lucky breaks’ in life. But, a break becomes a
‘lucky break’ only if one is ‘prepared’ to grab it. When I look back, I can
clearly see how ‘prepared’ I was… Hence, I was able to make use of this opportunity
to my fullest advantage.
Blindly relying upon Lady Luck is like
relying upon the Rabbit’s Foot, the lucky charm. A wise one said, “Depend on the rabbit's foot if
you will; but remember, it didn't work for the rabbit.”
I look back and thank Geeta ma’am
and her daughter Anita, who ma’am had conceived while going on leave. Ma’am
became a dear friend and well-wisher of mine later. Anita, too, was in touch
with me for some time. And, to both of them, I have said this many times: “I
owe a debt to both of you”!
Geeta ma’am was a bit worried
about my health. This afternoon, she and Anita (both are presently settled in
Pune) came over to see me at my institute… I was delighted. And, yes, I said
that again: “I owe you both a lifetime debt”!
(Geeta ma'am and her granddaughter, Ananya)
(Geeta ma'am, me and Anita)
Let lazy sleep over their pillow
– ‘Luck’, the Rabbit’s Foot. Let me remain awake and make hay when the Sun
shines, up there…
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