Sow Education .....Reap Prosperity

Pongal - a traditional Tamil festival - celebrates prosperity and abundance. Though the festival might have lost its relevance long back, nevertheless we find our roots firmed on agrarian culture (feudal economy), not surprisingly pongal occupies significant importance amongst the plethora of Hindu festivals.

Mid 1950S - Late 1990s....

Encouraged by the merits of education and enthused by the relatively new found freedom, scores of young men carried their day dreams of making their fortunes in what was supposed to be the "islands"(townships) of opportunities. Not unlike many Indians, a young man left his hometown to pursue his "higher" education (VIII class) as neither the nearest school (5 Kms away from his village) nor his destitute father could support his education. As a 6 month old suckling, he lost his mother, and this made him determined to shower all love on his children, which the Gods deprived him of at the very early age.

Seeking refuge in his aunt's place in Pondicherry (a coastal town in South of India)he was rearing cattle and selling milk, providing an helping hand in his cousin's business. Holding his dreams in his heart, he inched in his education and metamorphosed. Pumping gas, gardener, stenographer ....were few positions he held to earn himself a living. Though he did receive support from his aunt and cousins, he was indeed craving for motherly love and affection.

Attitude, perseverance and hard work took him long way up the corporate ladder. Joined as a clerk he moved to hold a prestigious position in one of the State Owned Enterprises. His search for true love should have ended after he found a mother in his better half. He did ensure that his children did get the best education possible.

This gentleman has all my respects, not just because he is my dad, but because of his true character and attitude. His achievements were well narrated bed time stories only helping me imbibe values and principles which are still close to my heart.

14 Jan 2007

Saram vegetable mandi was abuzz with pongal activities. Tonnes of sugarcane had made the place a temporary sugarcane field. The corner grocerer was still there. He was struggling to manage his customers all alone. Not surprised to find his son who usually assists his father during festive seasons I curiously enquired about him. Back came the reply,” Sir, my son is now an engineer and he is busy preparing for his campus interviews; he aspires to find a job in his dream company ....Info.....sys. We are confident that he would find the job he wanted. He is a brilliant student, sir". I could see his sparkling eyes filled with pride. I had no words to offer, I was overwhelmed. Undoubtedly, education will lighten up the corner grocerer family & his son's life, like what it did to my dad, the fruits of which our family still enjoys. I felt the urge to celebrate prosperity.

I learnt Pongal is still relevant as the middle class families are starting to harvest (prosperity) on what they sowed (investment on education).