This is the second guest post on my blog. There could have been no better gift to celebrate the3rd birthday of the Chronicles. Written by none other than my father - P. Sundararajan !!! I am honored!
It is said that ‘foresight’ is
necessary for success in life. Though this trait of ‘foresight’ varies from
person to person, many times (for people past sixty), ‘hindsight’ gives many
times a satisfaction that you have reached a stage in life which would have
been worse off, otherwise.
But ‘hindsight’ is not productive
for the future of any individual, it is definitely a source of satisfaction for
people who have a positive approach to life and incidentally may be of help to
others.
In my life, such incidents have
happened (without myself realizing), that certain actions as a young man and
certain decisions I had taken had done well to improve my life, personality and
that of my family. I will explain in more detail.
When I entered college (intermediate
class of those days), I was put into a Catholic mission college (Loyola at
Madras), since my father had a great regard for these institutions, which he
hoped would shape his son’s future properly. So I spent my two years of intermediate
at Loyola Madras, and after that, as is the case of every young man, there
comes a turning point to proceed with the road ahead.
My illustrious Alma mater |
Two options were open. My cousin had
taken engineering and naturally, with my good marks in science subjects at the
intermediate level, my father wished that I join Engineering college – which
were only four or five in my state of Tamil Nadu – all government colleges.
Since the process of admission to
Engineering college takes at least 2 months, from June to July, all youngsters,
as an alternative, would also try and join a degree course (mostly science /
maths) with plans to leave once the engineering admission is secured.
As in the case of everybody, I tried
admission for science/honours course in Chemistry, which was the subject of my
liking. As per my father’s wish, I applied to the same Loyola College for B.Sc.
(Hons) Chemistry, since all the connected subjects (maths/physics), I had very
good marks.
My father accompanied me for meeting
the principal of Loyola College and seeing my marks in Maths – where I had got
cent percent – he immediately offered me (or ordered me!) to join an honours
course in Maths. My hopes of joining a Chemistry (Hons) course were shattered.
My father was jubilant that his son is going to read higher maths, as was the
case of one my distant relatives, who incidentally is the first graduate from
our family.
In those days, sons didn’t have much
choice of the subject they studied. Many times parents decided and so it was
with me. I joined the Maths (Hons) class which, though not tough, was for me
literally boring especially when I thought of the principal who denied me
admission in Chemistry (Hons)!
The only alternative left to me was
to hope for admission in Engineering which eventually I got in the College of
Engineering, Guindy, and I came out as a Civil Engineer.
My extended family |
When I look back (hindsight), I feel
God had some plans for me which I didn’t realize at that time. If I had
continued in science, I would have landed as an academic or clerk with the govt
(and in due course rise to junior officer level). Because God pushed me into
Engineering, I could join the Indian Railways, go to various places and states
across the country which widened my horizons, knowledge and also that of my
children.
P. Sundararajan
As a brilliant student,he woulld have made his mark even in Mathematics and gone on to get a doctorate.But what irked me was the venerable principal deciding on an alternate course instead of going by the aptitude of the student especially when he had equally commendable score in Chemistry.Be that as it may,he got ultimately what he desired and rose to high positions in railways and in the process took you people to see diverse cities.The bottom line is that he was a remarkable student.
ReplyDeleteit is a singular honour for you Meera to have guest post from your dad.How many are so privileged?.He can also be justifiably proud that he wrote as a guest in a blog noted for its excellent writing,fearless views and vast range of subjects dealt with..
Hearty congratulations.!!!
Thanks KP.
ReplyDeleteSuch a simple but beautiful narration! Thank you Mr. Sundararajan. I also thank you for giving us a great friend in Meera!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways. No doubt about it. I would echo Mr. K. Parthasarathi. With Math as a major, your dad may have become another Ramanujam. Who knows! However, the Principal deciding his “major” is unacceptable to me.
ReplyDeleteWell Meera this is a pleasant bday gift and coming from your father.
ReplyDeleteI guess as excellent that he was in the subjects, Math or science he would have made it big, and let God gape in wonder.
A lovely gesture from your father to celebrate the blog anniversary/birthday, Meera! Everyone can relate to such designs of god:)
ReplyDeleteWisdom of our senior citizens give us the inspiration to see God's works in our lives. We may or may not understand the reason but God sure has some plans for us. I so much liked the example of hindsight to show us what was the purpose of all the events in our life. I wish uncle a healthy and happy life ahead too.
ReplyDelete