Monday, August 18, 2008

The 3 turning points of my life

Before you jump to any conclusion about the title being borrowed from Chetan Bhagat's "3 mistakes of my life", let me clarify one thing: The title is very original and was thought of even earlier than the book itself was named. But due to my habit of procrastination, my article got delayed and that damn book got released .But even then I would not like to change the title or the content. Here I have summarized three important incidents in my life from where my life would change dramatically.

First of all them is my birth itself. It was such a wonderful thing that I was born in this beautiful world. To borrow a line from Gracie Allen I would agree that "when I was born I was so surprised I didn't talk for a year and a half”. Without this incident I would not be in a position to write this article and I very well know that you people will agree with me at least in this turning point...

My second tryst with a life defining incident was my very poor marks in my first year PUC (11th grade).For your information ( and not for my self-flattery) I was in the top 3 in all my school years and due to that had got my seat in one of the best colleges in Bangalore. But I don’t know what struck me at that year, but I fared poorly in all subjects. I saw such low marks that I had never dreamt of. And to add to all these my final exam maths marks was an all time low 35.Phew I missed that failure by a whisker!!. And above all I was now worried about the reaction at home. They too would not have expected such a poor display of form from my side. Expecting the worst I told my marks to my parents and surprisingly they acted as if it was normal and 1st year marks was not at all a big deal. Had they shown their disappointment that day, I would be further demotivated and depressed and who knows I would again have not been in a position to write this article.Devara varavo punyada phalavo kaanenu (By gods grace), my father was transferred to chikmagalur and I had to take the risk of changing the college for II PUC, a risk many would not feel worth taking .But my marks in I yr made me so eager to change the college no matter what risk. I simple would not be able to sit in between 90% scorers for another year (After claiming that I had scored 94% in SSLC and showed no promise in Ist yr).I changed the college, went to CKM ,got into some random college and was able to get 5th rank in II PUC at college level. Now it was time for engineering and it meant changing college to meet new challenges which I dreaded so badly. But talking lesson from my previous experience I vowed to never let that happen again and went for the kill from the first day in Engineering .From there for the next four academic years there was no looking back. The rest is history for which I am still proud of :-)

If the first one came during my birth and the second case during my academic life, the third one came during my initial years of professional life in my first company. < I removed whatever was written here as I am still living my professional life though in a different company.Also I feel it has reached the intended audience. In case you did not read this and are eager to know what was here do mail me ;-) Sorry for inconvenience caused >

Friday, August 1, 2008

All roads lead to Rome

Recently I watched the much hyped dasaavataaram and more than the film the concepts in it are lingering in my mind.The movie was about chaos theory and the butterfly effect.It said that everything which happens in the world are for a reason.Pondering over it I recalled one incident which completely interlinked with each other and here is the series of incidents :

Scene-1 :
Year :1998
Place : Cordial High school Ground
Situation: Annual day
I was watching the annual day with my family and friends.everything was as usual : the speeches,award ceremony ,cultural programmes etc. At the end of the ceremony they announced that from that year a new award was being given to the student who has shown allround performance in the school in 10th standard.And was awarded to some "BEST STUDENT". My mother casually told me ," Praveen,I want you to win the award the next year". And I jokingly replied " Surely".
End of scene-1

Scene-2 :Year : 1999 (1 yr since scene -1)
Place : In my house on my bed
Situation : Dreaming
I was sitting in some auditorium and some event was going on.Suddenly in midst of all that ,they announced that Praveen Nellikeri had won some award. Surprised and elated,I walked to the stage ,received the award and came back to my seat.All the while I could hear a huge round of applause.
End of scene-2

Scene-3 :
Year 1999(1 day since scene -2)
Place : Our school ground
Situation: Some rehearsal for sports day where we they choreographing some Mass PT stuff. Everyone was yelling ,making noise..I was standing silently in the line thinking of the previous night dream.Seeing this one of my teacher ,Sujata madam, called me in front and told all others to take me as example and maintain discipline. Filled with pride I said " Oh ,then ma'am ,this years best student award should go to me only".She stood silent for a moment and then smiled and left.
End of scene-3

Scene-4
Year 1999 (1 month since scene-3)
Place: Decorated school ground and Stage
Situation: Annual day
No suspense. "The Award for this years Best student goes to Mr.Praveen Nellikeri for his outstanding academic excellence and equally good all round cultural activity participation.........". My mother was clapping,My friends were clapping,Sujata ma'am was clapping ...and yes everyone present there were clapping.It took a minute to realize what had happened and then I walked to the stage ,received the award and came back to my seat..
End of Scene-4 and the whole cycle of award co-incidences

Epilogue
Year 1999 (1 hour since scene-4)
Place: School ground
Situation: Appreciation from everyone
Everyone was appreciating me.I was elated.Just then Sujata ma'am came to me and asked..." . I was surprised when you told you wanted the best student award this year.Because at that time only we had finalized that you will get this years award.And it was to be a secret. Did U really know it beforehand?? I just replied "No"..

But it seems everything was planned by God 1 yr back only ,right?? and probably told me too :-)