“As a kid, I felt ashamed of my father. He worked at a small shop on the side of the road, fixing people's gas stoves and cookers. We lived in Supaul, a small town in Bihar. All we had was a kacha house, and a mitti ka angaan outside. And we ate the same thing most of the
days–roti, onions, and achaar.
Amma sewed clothes to help our family sustain. I wore Bhaiyya’s old clothes to school and wrote in my same old notebook every year, while other kids got fancy new Navneet books. I’d be mortified.
At 10, I was asked to write an essay on ‘family’.
Amma sewed clothes to help our family sustain. I wore Bhaiyya’s old clothes to school and wrote in my same old notebook every year, while other kids got fancy new Navneet books. I’d be mortified.
At 10, I was asked to write an essay on ‘family’.
I simply wrote, ‘Bauji is a businessman, and Amma is a tailor.’ And that’s also how I introduced my parents to everyone. One day, during an argument, a boy said, ‘Tere baap ki paan ki dukaan hai, don’t fly.’ I ran home crying, and told Bauji, ‘Why can’t you work at an office?’
He wiped my tears, and said, ‘Money isn’t everything in life.’ But back then, I didn't realise the value of his words.
What kept me going everyday was my hunger for knowledge; but society couldn’t digest that. And over time, I realised how much Bauji defended me! When relatives
What kept me going everyday was my hunger for knowledge; but society couldn’t digest that. And over time, I realised how much Bauji defended me! When relatives
pointed out that I was ‘too’ loud, or too into my studies, Bauji would stop talking to them. Girls in my city with well-to-do fathers were married off after 10th, but my Bauji was busy saving for my higher studies.
He even taught me that there was no difference between men and
He even taught me that there was no difference between men and
women. While girls in my area went to cooking classes, my father cooked for us. I realised that I had something none of them had–a father who cared about my dreams. It changed the way I looked at him. I felt proud to be his daughter! I started wearing my old uniform with pride,
and happily used my torn books.
And when I decided to get my masters in Pondicherry, people said, ‘Why waste money? Marry her off!’ But Bauji just supported me.
Over the next 2 years, people in my village spread rumours about me. ‘She probably got pregnant and ran away.’
And when I decided to get my masters in Pondicherry, people said, ‘Why waste money? Marry her off!’ But Bauji just supported me.
Over the next 2 years, people in my village spread rumours about me. ‘She probably got pregnant and ran away.’
But, instead of getting offended, I’d laugh–Bauji had taught me that.
And he taught me how to be confident, too. I still remember, the first time I anchored an event in my neighbourhood, I was so nervous. I told him, ‘I can’t do it.’ But he said, ‘Just picture everyone in the
And he taught me how to be confident, too. I still remember, the first time I anchored an event in my neighbourhood, I was so nervous. I told him, ‘I can’t do it.’ But he said, ‘Just picture everyone in the
audience as a sack of potatoes.’I laughed and killed it on stage.Since den,I’ve only moved up in life.From performing guest lectures at universities to sharing my life at a TEDx,‘the sack of potatoes’has worked for me! And when I spoke on the TEDx platform,Bauji couldn't attend,
so he bought a television just to watch me!
Today,I’m completing my PhD,and working as a Diversity Trainer & Researcher. And if you ever meet Bauji? He’ll tell you all about it with his head held high!
Now,I do my best to spoil him.Every time I gift him a new shirt or a watch,
Today,I’m completing my PhD,and working as a Diversity Trainer & Researcher. And if you ever meet Bauji? He’ll tell you all about it with his head held high!
Now,I do my best to spoil him.Every time I gift him a new shirt or a watch,
Bauji says, ‘Beta, don’t waste your money on me!’ But how do I tell him–the little girl who was once ashamed of being a Paanwala’s daughter, is ready to place the world
جاري تحميل الاقتراحات...