Since my dad is illiterate in English!!

Sudhir was an IITian from IIT, Kharagpur. He completed his junior and high school from a small town known as Khargone in Madhya Pradesh. The school was not that flashy but the best one in the town. St. Joseph Senior Secondary School was the only English Medium School in the locality and Sudhir’s dad was very peculiar in making Sudhir to study in that school. Madhya Pradesh is a state located in central of India and not much of population compared to other states. People there are simple and believe strongly on the saying “Simple living, high thinking”. They are caring and not much prone to the language English. Since the language that people speak is Hindi and mostly their local language known as Malvi.  

Sudhir’s parents belong to the Middle class category of people in India and their basic income was not more than fulfilling their basic needs and education of Sudhir. Sudhir was the only child and they were saving every penny from their income so that they can give him the best education in the world. His dad was working as a central government employee and mom as well worked in government office. Both were not as educated but were lucky to get into the government jobs. They only spoke the national language and bits and pieces of English. When Sudhir completed his high school he decided to go into pursuing a career in IIT. He was a sharp student, good in communication skills and fluent in English. He got into IIT Kharagpur smoothly. His parents were more than happy when Sudhir got admission in IIT. They were living their dream through his eyes. His mom shed tears when sudhir left for hostel and dad tried to hide the tears. Thinking Sudhir will be a big and successful man one day and they will get him married once he is done with education.They wanted to live all their dream through Sudhir's eyes.  

After four years of hard work Sudhir got placed in one of the renowned company in Mumbai. He was excited to call his parents to see his office, his apartment on 23^rd floor and to take them to best places of the town. His dad after much influence from Sudhir to visit Mumbai booked the tickets and planned for a small visit for a week to his place. Sudhir stayed with 3 other roommates and all were from good families and parental richness holder. Sudhir’s parents reached Mumbai by a train and he came to receive them on the station. They were really happy to come to their son’s place and to see him successful in his life.

      

Sudhir decided to take them to the office the next day. They left early morning and reached office. They saw big building and highly educated people around them. Their head was high up with proud looking at Sudhir’s achievement in life. In the meantime Sudhir’s boss came and Sudhir introduced his boss to his parents. His boos spoke in English and Sudhir’s parents were unable to understand. They started talking in Hindi and Sudhir felt a little embarrassed. He started giving answer to his boss’s question and his parents were mum. They understood that Sudhir is embarrassed because of them. The conversation ended after ten minutes of talk and his boss said ‘Nice to meet you' to his dad’ and his dad replied ‘ Hamein bhi bahut khushi hui aapse milkar. Sudhir aapke bare main bahut baat karta rehta hai’ (Even we are really happy meeting you; Sudhir keeps talking about you to us). His boss left and Sudhir and his parents returned home.  

Sudhir was quiet since the time he returned home from office. His mom cooked food and dad finished the pending electronics work like fixing the bulbs, the washing machine dryer which was not working from many days, fixed the geyser so that Sudhir should get hot water since winter were arriving.

Dinner was ready and his mom called him for dinner. He said he was not hungry. Dad called as well, he replied the same again that he is not hungry. They waited for him to feel hungry so that they can have dinner with their son. He came after an hour surfing the internet. They sat for dinner and Sudhir burped out.

“Dad, you don’t even know this much of English that you can talk to my boss and say ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’? I felt so embarrassed today in front of them. I wish if I wouldn’t have taken you guys there”.

“Beta we don’t find the urge to learn English at this age. Humari toh umar ho gayi hai” his dad replied.

“But still dad now a days everyone knows English. I felt so ashamed today that my parents don’t know English”. He replied in frustration.

There was a silence for few seconds.

Mom tried to change the topic and asked Sudhir to eat first and then talk.  Dad stayed silent.

All three ate food in silence, and dad could not look into Sudhir’s eyes thinking he is not able to make his son happy. Mom as usual was trying to calm things down between his husband and son. But nothing worked.

Next day his parents left to Khargone. The trip that was for a week reduced to a day because of their son’s embarrassment in front of others. His dad didn’t talk to Sudhir for few days and the son didn’t make any effort as well. Sudhir was about to come home for Diwali.

He got a call one morning from his mom before he goes home for Diwali. His dad got a heart attack and was no more. Sudhir could not speak for a second and bursted out in tears. Just because his dad was illiterate in English he behaved like that with him!! Now he won't be able to see him for rest of his life. For all of his life he considered responsible for whatever happened. Just because his dad was illiterate, illiterate in English!    

P.S: Remember Kids are always ahead of their parents and parents are always behind their kids. One day we( our generation) will be on other side and our kids (the coming generation) will be on the other. 

Choose your words carefully before you speak, You never know if next you get a chance to correct your mistake!!




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