Getting Ready

“It was my biggest dream. Today it’s come true. I’m very happy for it and extremely thankful to all those who stood beside me to see my dream come true”
Karan Johar the mastermind behind the greatest bollywood hit Kuch Kuch Hota Hai said that he has been rehearsing these words right from his childhood. This was his Speech of Acceptance when his movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai was chosen the best movie.

My twelfth standard board exams had just started when I saw this interview of Karan Johar. I liked what he said. . . Rehearsing to face success; getting ready to face occasions. So I thought I will also rehearse for something big. Since 12 STD exams were going on and I had my English book in hand, I rehearsed how to face the press if I get a state rank in English. “I was quite happy with my performance, but the state rank is indeed a surprise to me. I would like to thank my English teacher Mrs. Eugene for the way she made the classes interesting and special thanks to Mrs. Kanchna my first English teacher”. This is what I exactly said in my first interview when I got my state rank in English. After a very long gap, I started rehearsing again. This time the rehearsal was for acting as a responsible brother to a beautiful sister. The occasion in pipeline was my sister’s engagement. I have attended engagements, marriages, birthday parties and various other ceremonies. But never felt the need for a rehearsal. This time it’s happening at my home. Tight schedule at office never gave me time for practice. But my mind was constantly working on the D-Day activities. How do I welcome guests? How do I answer to people? How do I create impression that I’m a very responsible brother? All activities were pre-arranged. I had nothing as such called work to do. Still I need to show people that have toiled for the day. Mental preparations and monologue rehearsals everywhere. The office restroom mirror and my Bike know how much I have rehearsed. Hard work always pays isn’t it? December 8 2006 turned out to be the most memorable day for many. And from my side, wow it was THE DAY I WAS LOOKING FOR. Though many recognized that I was just acting there as a responsible man, I had no other option. I had to be a responsible son/ responsible brother that day.

Karan Johar’s formula worked out well for me the second time too. And you know I have started my rehearsal for the next EVENT :->

சென்னையில் ஓரு மழை காலம்..

அழகிய காலை பொழுது
மின்சார ரயிலில் தொடங்கியது
எனது பயணம்

கடற்கரை சந்திப்பை நோக்கி புறப்பட்டது ரயில்
கடலுக்கு அப்பால் சென்று ஒளிந்து கொண்டது வெயில்

தெருவில் நடந்து சென்றேன் நான்
மழை பொழிந்து வரவேற்றது வான்

மழையில் நனைந்தேன்
உலகம் மறந்தேன்

சுயநினைவை இழந்தேன்
இன்ப வெள்ளத்தில் விழுந்தேன்

மழையே! உனை நான் ரசித்தேன்
மழைத்துளியே! உனை நான் ருசித்தேன்

ஒவ்வொரு துளியும் இனிமை
ஒவ்வொரு துளியும் புதுமை

கண்ணீர் ருசியை நான் அறிந்தில்லை
மழைநீர் ருசியை சொல்ல நான் கவிஞனும் இல்லை

அன்று மழையில் வழிந்தது என் இளமை
மழை எனக்கு உணர்த்தியதோ.... என் தேசத்தின் வறுமை!

நான் அறிந்தேன்,
உண்ண உணவு, உடுக்க உடை, இருக்க இடம் இவர்களிடம் இவை இல்லை என்று

நான் அழுதேன்,
இவர்களின் நிலை கண்டு

நான் உணர்ந்தேன்,

கண்ணீர் மழைநீரோடு கலந்தது
மனதில் புது வேகம் பிறந்தது

நான் எழுந்தேன்,

என் தேசத்தின் வறுமை ஒழிக்க
என் மக்களின் வாழ்வு செழிக்க
ஏழைகளின் கண்ணீர் போக்க
துயர் மறக்க, புது வழி பிறக்க!


Note:
Special Thanks to Mathi for Spell Check and Thiru for Tamil Fonts/Data Entry :-)

The Leave Letter

Respected Madam,

My daughter S.Kavya studying in your class (III STD ‘C’ section), could not attend classes on 30-10-2006 and 31-10-2006 as she was suffering from high fever and vomiting. I request you to kindly consider her absence as leave.

Yours faithfully,
Sivakumar.K

Kavya is taking leave for the first time. She is the only student in that school to get 100% attendance certificates every year right from her K.G classes. She has been such a bright student and teacher’s favorite kid that her class teacher called to enquire about her health. I’m very proud about my daughter. I didn’t study well. I will be a driver for my entire lifetime. I know nothing but driving. But Kavya is not like me. She is too smart. She is so much interested with school and studies. I will do anything to aid her financially and morally with her studies. Her school fee is more than what I earn for 4 months. But that doesn’t matter. She wants to be in that school and I’m here as her father to make that happen. One day she will come up in life our pappa.

Pappa is how my dad’s driver addresses my sister. There was no trace of tears in his eyes when he recited the above to me while I was writing the leave letter for his daughter. But his voice conveyed the emotions. I realize what it takes to be a father. I can also feel how my parents would have dreamt about me and my sister when we were kids.
KIDS are always kids for parents. As kids (grown up & growing) lets make their dreams come true.

Blog dedicated to all Parents and KIDs.

:-)