அப்பா கட்ட டூ

Everyone grows up having a role model. The first role model for any kid would be their parents. My story was no different. My dad was my hero. This is a very small dedication for his immense work in sculpting me. That's right, he really sculpted me into what I am from what I was. My mother played an equally important role, but that story will have to wait for one more blog :)

Many people might not understand the topic of the blog. It's in tamil and I doubt even if tamil people can understand those words. I came to know recently that those were the first letter that I wrote to my dad. I wrote them because he hit me that day :) I don't remember that incident however he treasures that still :)

I think it's a crude analogy but then I can use it. Parenting is like managing your company. There are many similarities,

• The stakes are very high
• Everyone's watching you and your child's progress
• Search out for opportunities that would fit the child's future just like searching for new alliance or mergers in the business context

Not to mention his own career to concentrate on. I should say had I been a company, he would be a billionaire by now :D. Actually twice a billionaire including my younger bro. Jokes apart, he made sure that I got the best of everything. Support and encouragement was something that was always there for me. I would like to narrate an incident which I guess can never forget

It was the day when the fourth semester results came. I did not get a great mark. Rather 20% less than what I had said I would get. I went to the phone booth (no cell phones in that time) and informed him about the mark. I was talking with lot of hesitation. He immediately replied that "Good performance! Improve next time". That moment few tears came from my eyes. I can't explain how I felt that time, all I could feel was how lucky was I to get him as my dad. He always stresses the impact of positive thinking and how it can do wonders, it has done wonders for me which i think was responsible for getting rank 3 in the next semester.

Though he stressed the importance of education, he ensured that I was not a bookish geek. He introduced me to the game that I love playing the most - badminton. He was truly an inspiration on the court for me. I used to tag along every weekend in the morning with him even if all I got to do was draw lines and watch others play. Mostly doubles game of badminton would be played and rarely I would get a chance to play with my dad and his friends. Boy!! he never made it easy, if you are not playing well, he would literally tell "I should never have woken you up in the first place" :D one day the criticism was too much that I walked out of the court in the middle of the game throwing away the racquet swearing never to play again.

My dad's friends were shocked to see the reaction. One of them even commented about my behavior. I think I took my cycle and stormed off home. He came back and apologized to me. Yea!! you heard it right, he apologized to me. I could not comprehend why he would apologize to me which I was the one who owed an apology to him and everyone in the court. The next day my dad convinced me to come to play and I went and apologized to everyone out there. I felt little ashamed and I converted all the shame into molding my game. Till date, I can assure that my court behavior has been immaculate.

Though I never had the opportunity to pursue badminton as a career, however I was able to be an active part of my school and college badminton team, thanks to my dad.

Everyone talks about the long term and short term goals in the company meetings and B-schools. He talked to me about that when I was in 8th std. He often used to say, think what you will be 10 years from hence, work for that. Looking back at the decade that I had lived, I owe 80% of my success to my parents.

I miss all those weekend badminton games, the snacks that he gets from K.R.S. Bakery (which me and my brother would fight for), the fortnightly visit to hotel (for which me and my brother start planning the day we finished the previous visit to the hotel), the lemon rice he made me when my mom went out of town, the support and encouragement, etc etc etc

I guess there's no word limit for this blog, but to write everything about him would exceed that. I've had an eventful 24 years with him and I wish for many many more.

(cont... will be updated from time to time)

(Next: About someone who is so special to me. She's been there with me even before I was born in this world. Amma :D )