My family is traditional, orthodox Hindu family. My Baba was a very traditional man who used to be in charge of my life and set expectations for my whole family. He was much respected for his perceptive ideas and social efforts. I recall sitting down the day before my first day of college to talk about what I would be expected to do throughout my time there. Everything was ready.
The first and most important requirement on that “to-do list” was: I will never think about anything but my studies, and I will never fall in love or even consider anyone, regardless of who they are. As if it were a sin, I will never ask for a love marriage! In the Hindu Brahmin family, I was not even permitted to say the word “boyfriend,” as if it were like eating beef!
Even though I was a very obstinate yet dutiful daughter, I never disagreed with my father’s assessment of my life. Ironically, I had a lot of male pals in college, and they were all supposed to be my brothers, per my father’s wishes, but whatever!
My dad presented me with two options once I graduated. One was to get married or begin preparation for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Civil Service Exam, which would make me a bureaucrat if I passed with a high rank. He had no interest in learning about my preferences or aspirations.
He did not want me to pursue my aspirations of working in the hi-tech business or the “American Dream,” which went against his view of one of the “Conventional professions for women,” despite the fact that I was a successful engineering candidate with a very high market worth at the time. It’s similar to using traditional car decorating techniques that people have been using for years to give others permission to approach them.
However, I patiently agreed to take the Civil Service Exam instead of getting married. I quickly discovered, though, that this is not my “Cup of Tea.” Nevertheless, I persisted in the belief that I would eventually persuade my father of my desire to pursue a career in engineering. After a year of graduating and a dismal UPSC try, I finally told him that I wanted to move to Pune to begin my profession. He kept thinking about abandoning me in this whole new city! For a month or two, we were at odds with each other a lot. He made another offer of a lectureship one morning.
After a year of graduating and a dismal UPSC try, I finally told him that I wanted to start my career in Pune. He kept thinking about abandoning me in this very unfamiliar city! For a month or two, there was a lot of conflict between us. He made another proposal for a lectureship at an engineering college one morning. By this point, I was enraged and on the verge of permanently abandoning my city and home. I started “Crossing The Barriers” with that. You must do what makes you happy and feels right for yourself; you cannot live your life solely for other people.
Thanks to my mother and neighbours, who saw my potential and let me follow my aspirations, I was able to leave home with very little money. However, my father came to leave me off at my first rented room in Pune to make sure I was living with safe folks in a safe neighbourhood. After overcoming all of my dad’s preconceived notions, I started a new life in the new city. I began my career in the design and development of a CNC manufacturing company, which is one of the medium-sized technical industries.
This was a male-dominated industry where I had to prove myself as a competent woman employee who would be able to work on CNC machines with fellow male colleagues. I did it successfully for 3 years. Since then I started working in various such industries where woman empowerment was just another topic of discussion; well, this perhaps has knowingly/unknowingly strengthen my ability to work and think beyond certain barriers.
Thanks to my mother and neighbours, who saw my potential and let me follow my aspirations, I was able to leave home with very little money. However, my father came to leave me off at my first rented room in Pune to make sure I was living with safe folks in a safe neighbourhood. After overcoming all of my dad’s preconceived notions, I started a new life in the new city. I began my career in the design and development of a CNC manufacturing company, which is one of the medium-sized technical industries.
I am thankful to God for giving me the fortitude and perseverance. I’ve discovered over the years that we, especially women, should never see our difficulties as drawbacks. One of our greatest strengths might come from facing and conquering adversity. We can reach the milestones if we concentrate on improving them and overcoming obstacles rather than obstacles.
The energy that senses the strength that arises from concentrating on what motivates us to cross the boundary is called passion. Everyone has it; they simply need to recognise it and address it. As a mother of a 10-year-old daughter, I completed my master’s degree in Australia by myself, returned home to effectively lead my career in the IT industry, and completed several projects on specialised technology just as I had anticipated.
The world is happily prepared to limit you with walls built on its beliefs, but don’t be scared by cliched social, cultural, or emotional obstacles; instead, embrace them, cultivate them as your power, and conquer all of your fears. You have to decide which side of the wall you want to be on.
If my father were still with us today, he would have been just as proud of his child as any other father would be. In my opinion, he would have kept his head high regardless of how many fences I had broken, how many barriers I had jumped off, or how many people believed in him had crossed. So why has all of this suddenly happened?
I recently watched the biggest family drama in India on Netflix, and I really enjoyed it! What a flawless plot. Bravo to Aryan Khan for his first web series.Can I really share the secret with you? There’s no mystery about my dad, but when I saw Boby Deol and his daughter Karishma, I missed our well-played father-daughter relationship.
I was pampered excessively and shielded “Papa ki Pari” with a silver spoon, of course. My Baba was a lovely hero who used to provide a helping hand to those in need. He is the commander of my family, truly nice, helpful, and a people person. He is also very diligent and truthful in his profession.
He enjoyed experimenting with different beverages, but his favorite was whiskey, served with chicken. I don’t want to compose an essay because it wouldn’t be sufficient for him. I miss you, Baba. My Baba was, is, and always will be my superhero, regardless of the time period I live in.