My first day at the “Registan LC” in Tashkent felt like stepping onto a tight rope. I had agreed to teach a mixed-age math class (6 to 14) armed only with colorful worksheets, a handful of markers. Among curious faces, she sat at the back with an empty notebook and tired eyes. Her name was Nilufar, 12 years old, and according to rumors she once loved math her brother coached her until a family crisis pulled her out of her lovely learnig center where were her friends to my group I was teaching. She was so smart and understood better than my other students, but she lost interest to math because of depression and loneliness and her performance went down. In week 1, I skipped the formulas and handed out a treasure map. Each coordinate solved correctly led students to hidden "gold" stickers taped under desks. The room lit up with laughter, and for the first time, Nilufar looked up with a little interest. Week 2: I gave to every student "Math mystery" (interresting math questions wrapped in papers) like balancing water for a village, who wins races falcons against the wind etc. Nilufar stopped at a quadratic puzzle. I approached her and said: "Imagine your brother cheering." She wrote the answer firstly amoung groupmates and the class erupted in applause. There were days when Nilufar seemed isolated. She sat at the last desk, rarely looked up, and her math notebook remained almost empty. I felt that it wasn't a lack of ability, but something else. Several times I saw her standing at the window and looking sadly outside. One day, when everyone had already left, I approached to her and asked "Gulnara, do you have a minute?" She nodded. We sat down at the desk. I began, - I noticed that you're having a hard time in math class,but it seems to me that you're not just worried about numbers. - I miss my old school, - she said softly. - Everything worked out for me there. And now... everything is different. And math, too. - I understand. Changing schools is always difficult. It's like starting a new game with different rules, right? But math, you know, it's the same everywhere. It's like a universal language. We began to sort out the equations, which, according to her, were explained differently at the old learning center. I didn't just give her answers, I tried to show that the principles remain the same, but the approach can change. Every time she understood a new "version" or found the familiar, a very sincere relief appeared on her face. The midterm test was approaching (it was done my learning center to check the performances of student and top students were granted with a one-month free lessons). On the day of the test, most of the children were talking noisily, some were nervous. Nilufar sat quietly, but there was no previous concern on her face. She wrote intently, sometimes thinking for a second, but then confidently continuing. It seemed like she was just doing her job step by step. When I checked the works, I was surprised. Nilufar got a perfect grade, her progress was amazing. She overcame her confusion and showed that she is capable of learning in new conditions. There was a small note pinned to her work, written by her in russian: "Teacher, thank you for supporting and believing me". That evening, coming back to home, I realized that teaching is not just about academic knowledge. It's about helping children adapt, find their strengths in a changing world, and trust that they can handle any new "rules". By the end of the 2024, Nilufar was promoted to a higher group and had already started helping the new students who came to our group. She did it quietly, with special patience, explaining to them how "everything works here". Everytime when she sees me she hugs me and says "You are the best teacher I have seen!"

: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) today announced the appointment of Mr. Shreekant Patil as a dedicated Resource Person (Rp) and Trainer, reinforcing its strategic initiatives to embed quality and standardization across various sectors of the Indian economy. This appointment is a significant step in BIS's ongoing efforts to enhance awareness, build capacity, and ensure the widespread adoption of Indian Standards through comprehensive training, mentorship, and direct stakeholder engagement. With over 30 years of extensive diverse experience and being a Founder at PARENTNashik, Chartered Engineer, Valuer, Sr Consultant at NPC India, Subject Matter Expert, Advisor, Trainer and leading Startup India Mentor Shreekant Patil brings to BIS a rich history of contributing to nation-building through diverse government of India initiatives, particularly in education and entrepreneurship. A strong advocate for fostering innovation, he has been instrumental in collaborating with over 50 colleges and skill-Centers across Maharashtra to establish incubation centers, students clubs, Faculty Development Programs (FDPs), innovation councils, and entrepreneurship development cells, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As a seasoned mentor with various government platforms including MAARG, BHASKAR, and Startup India, he has tirelessly supported startups and MSMEs, including empowering women and SC/ST entrepreneurs to access schemes like Stand-Up India. His proven dedication to building a skilled workforce and a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem aligns perfectly with the Make in India, Viksit Bharat & Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, and his new role at BIS will further amplify these efforts by instilling a culture of quality from foundational levels in academia to large-scale industry adoption. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) today announced the appointment of Mr. Shreekant Patil as a dedicated Resource Person and Trainer, reinforcing its strategic initiatives to embed quality and standardization across various sectors of the Indian economy. This appointment is a significant step in BIS's ongoing efforts to enhance awareness, build capacity, and ensure the widespread adoption of Indian Standards through comprehensive training, mentorship, and direct stakeholder engagement. MSME Help: BIS ISI Certifications, Compliances In his new capacity, CE Shreekant Patil will be at the forefront of several crucial endeavors, serving as a vital link in the BIS mission: Training and Mentorship for Government Officials: CE Shreekant Patil will lead efforts to train government officials on the nuances of Indian Standards, the critical role of the BIS Care App in consumer protection, and the strategic importance of quality benchmarks for economic growth. This includes enhancing awareness through key initiatives like “Quality Connect.” Capacity Building for Industry and Public: CE Shreekant Patil will design and deliver training programs for a broad spectrum of industry stakeholders and the general public, focusing on the practical application of quality assurance and standardization principles. He will develop specific training modules to cater to diverse learning needs. Empowering Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs): Central to his role is the direct support to MSMEs. Shreekant Patil will assist these vital businesses in navigating compliance procedures, ensuring easy access to quality standards, and facilitating their utilization of resources such as testing facilities and reduced marking fees, thereby strengthening the “Make in India” initiative. Promoting Certified Products and Consumer Rights: Shreekant Patil will actively champion the use of BIS-certified products (e.g., ISI Mark, Hallmark) and engage with communities to promote consumer rights, empowering individuals to make informed purchasing decisions based on quality standards. Strategic Industry Collaboration: He will foster strong collaborations with industry stakeholders, offering expert guidance on standardization, conformity assessment, and quality assurance best practices. His contributions may also extend to representing India's interests in international standardization forums. “I am excited to take on this challenging yet immensely rewarding role at BIS,” stated Shreekant Patil. “My focus will be on bridging the gap between standards and practical implementation across all levels — from cultivating quality thinking in future engineers through Standards Clubs, to empowering MSMEs with compliance knowledge, and ensuring government officials are well-equipped to champion quality. I look forward to contributing to India's journey towards global excellence through robust standardization and consumer empowerment.”

NASHIK – Shreekant Patil, Startup India Mentor, Founder of PARENTNashik and MSMEHelp, Nashik, Committee chairman at NIMA, MACCIA, MH State VP at IBSEA, and Senior Consultant at NP Council - India (under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India), as a chief guest, spearheaded a thought-provoking seminar today, May 19, 2025, in celebration of National Technology Day 2025. The event, hosted by MET's Institute of Technology - B. Tech (Institution's Innovation Council) and part of the MET Bhujbal Knowledge City, highlighted India's remarkable journey of technological advancement and self-reliance - Atmanirbhar to over 75 enthusiastic students & faculties name Dr. Ganesh Kawale, Prof. Samir Shaikh, Prof. Vishnu Kale, Innovation & Startup coordinator, Prof Amit Karwande, and event coordinator, Prof P.P. Badgujar etc. After felicitation by Principal Dr. R..Narkhede, keynote speaker CEngg. Shreekant Patil addresses students & captivated the audience by recounting the historical significance of "Operation Shakti," detailing how India achieved its nuclear capabilities in 1998. He further elaborated on "Operation Sindoor," illustrating India's remarkable progress towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' by 2025, emphasizing the nation's reliance on indigenous weaponry, cutting-edge anti-drone systems, DRDO's AkashTeer, and ISRO's NAVIC. CE. Shreekant Patil showcased India's rapid adoption and successful implementation of the UPI system, proudly noting its adoption by approximately 15 countries globally. He delved into the critical importance of emerging technologies for engineers, discussing the concepts of T-shaped and V-shaped employees, and exploring "The Shifting Engineering Landscape: Engineering Then & Now." The session also underscored "The Need for Sustainable Solutions" and traced the "Revaluation of Industry 1.0 to Industry 5.0," including an overview of Japan's Society 5.0. A significant portion of his talk focused on "How Government of India Acts as a Catalyst Supporting Tech Innovation in India," particularly for students. He provided valuable guidance on "Future-Proofing Students' Careers by Upskilling Essential Skill Sets to Become Future Engineers" and highlighted "How India's Ecosystem Enhances Employability" through various government initiatives. The seminar concluded with an engaging question and answer session, where students actively participated. Following this insightful session, CE Shreekant Patil officially inaugurated a Poster Presentation competition and a crossword quiz, fostering an environment of interactive learning. At the culmination of the event, Shreekant Patil announced the winners of both the quiz and poster competition, awarding certificates to recognize their achievements.

Shreekant Patil, C.Engg and founder of PARENTNashik, has received a prestigious mentorship appreciation from IIT Bombay E-Cell during “Eureka 2024 – Road to Enterprise”. The recognition acknowledges his significant contributions as a mentor to national startups. The award was presented by Mr. Amey Patil, overall coordinator at IIT Bombay, who commended Shreekant's continuous efforts to foster innovation and entrepreneurship across India. CE Shreekant Patil, who is also a key player in various government of India's initiatives such as MAARG, BHASKAR, Startup India, WEP, STPI, BIRAC, AYE, MeitY Startup Hub, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, and Sr. Consultant at NP Council, under ministry of commerce & industry (Govt of India), has been instrumental in policy making, mentoring and guiding emerging entrepreneurs. His work through national & international platforms has played a pivotal role in advancing India's startup ecosystem. With over 30 years of diversified experience in industrial innovation, Shreekant Patil's involvement with higher educational bodies, including NCTE, AICTE and UGC, further enhances the connection between academia and industry. His impactful role in initiatives like NMM, Vidyanjali and Manthan continues to influence the development of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country. On the national front, Shreekant Patil has been actively engaged in supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through his roles in organizations such as IBSEA, MACCIA, NIMA Startup Hub and MSMECCII. His deep understanding of the challenges faced by MSMEs has helped create strategies that empower these businesses to scale and thrive. Shreekant is also involved in multiple government-backed schemes that assist MSMEs in achieving global competitiveness, connecting them with resources, networks, and funding opportunities that drive growth. Internationally, being active international advisor – consultant, Shreekant has extended his support not only to startups but SMEs & MSMEs by collaborating with global institutions like Euro Exim Bank, African Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union's Cluster Collaboration program, International Trade Council – Business for innovation & technology- ITC, member, reviewer, mentor at Asian Council of Science Editors, IFERP, Global Harmonization Initiative, Cluster collaboration- European Union, mentor at MentorMe program of European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), Sustainability Ambassador for UNSDG – SPSC- UK. Through these collaborations, he has helped facilitate international market access for many Indian MSMEs, promoting their products and services worldwide with export promotional councils like EEPC, SEPC, APEDA etc. Working with DGFT as chartered engineer, his efforts are enabling these businesses to expand into foreign markets, improving their visibility, and fostering cross-border trade and innovation. This award reflects Shreekant Patil's relentless commitment to shaping the future of Indian entrepreneurship, bridging critical gaps, and inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Shreekant Patil Drives Innovation and Support for Startups During National Startup Innovation Week & celebrates National Startup Day 2025 in Nashik Under the leadership of Shreekant Patil, Chairman of the Cluster & Startup Development Committee at MACCIA and Startup India Mentor, a series of impactful events were organized to celebrate National Startup Innovation Week (January 10th to 18th, 2025) and strengthen the startup ecosystem in Nashik. Startup Investor Meet — January 10th 1. Startup Investor Meet (January 10th) Held at MACCIA Nashik, the event attracted local entrepreneurs seeking investment, with Qatar-based investors Mr. Abhishek Kute and Mr. Pramod exploring funding opportunities. Vice President Shri Sanjay Sonawane & under Shreekant Patil, committee Chairman — Cluster & Startup development, led a session, offering guidance to startups on scaling their businesses. The event highlighted MACCIA's ongoing efforts to nurture a thriving startup ecosystem in Nashik. National Startup Day at KBT College of Engineering — January 16th 2. National Startup Day at Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj's Sharadchandraji Pawar College of Architecture & KBT Engineering College (January 16th): As a keynote speaker, Shreekant Patil shared valuable insights into the startup ecosystem, emphasizing the creation of a Startup Innovation Cell at the college level. MACCIA pledged to offer mentorship, industry connect, and funding to support students' entrepreneurial journeys. National Startup Day at Sir Dr. M. S. Gosavi College of Commerce — January 17th 3. National Startup Day at Sir Dr. M. S. Gosavi College of Commerce (January 17th): As the chief guest, Shreekant Patil guided students on utilizing government schemes and subsidies to start their first businesses, helping them understand the resources available for new ventures. National Startup Day at Government Industrial Training Institute (Adivasi), Trimbakeshwar — January 17th 4. National Startup Day at Government Industrial Training Institute (Adivasi), Trimbakeshwar (January 17th): Shreekant Patil addressed ITI students and professors, educating them on the startup ecosystem and the government schemes available through DIC to support small businesses in Trimbak. These events reflect MACCIA's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs. Through the leadership of Shreekant Patil, MACCIA continues to create opportunities for aspiring startups by providing mentorship, funding, creating startup ecosystem in Nashik region and vital industry connections.

Ding-Dong! “Stand clear of the closing doors, please” blasted the announcer's voice across the station. Jonah had heard this everyday since he could remember. “3 stops till Kingston” he thought, carrying a backpack full of books that he dreaded carrying for hours on the commute to and back from school. Jonah kicked his feet back and forth, his feet grazing the ground just slightly. He stared at the creases on his shoes who's brand he couldn't recall. They were some off brands anyways, no reason to remember which ones. The subway screeched to a halt, the faces outside the car that were once blurred stare back at Jonah. People start to push and shove the minute the doors open. Running up the stairs to leave the station, a mirage of conversations, mumblings and people talking flood Jonah's senses. He can't really make out what they're saying, he doesn't really try. “Jonah! How was school?” Jonah's finally made it to his destination. A small deli run by an older Korean man and his daughter. The sign outside reads “Ray's Delicatessen” but most people here call it “Ray's”, “Mr. Park's”, “the Park/Park” or “the Deli”. For Jonah, he calls it “home”. “Fine Mr. Park! Same as always!” replied Jonah Mr. Park shook his head and chuckled as he continued to tend to other customers, “As long as you're not getting into trouble” It's become a routine, Mr. Park asks how he is and Jonah replies with fine no matter what. Jonah tries to not stress him out, he always hears Hannah, Mr. Park's daughter, complain about her forehead wrinkles, crows feet and smile lines. Jonah doesn't see a problem but still tries to avoid making them worse Jonah slips behind the checkout counter, he sits on the blue crate right under the cash register and starts his homework on his knees like usual. History, English, then Science and Math, hardest to easiest. Jonah loves closing up shop and definitely not just because he gets to eat some of the unsold bagels and sausages. “Ai *tsk* Jonah, you know you mustn't sit here” exclames Mr. Park. Jonah doesn't move, Mr. Park doesn't really care. Time passes, business has been slow these days but it only means more time for Mr. Park and Jonah to talk. The deli was not just a place to get a quick eat for Jonah after school, it was his place of refuge, one of love and community. He had somewhere to be and all Mr. Park asked for in return were English lessons and to use some of Jonah's beginner-level novels to practice his reading skills. Jonah knew Mr. Park stopped needing those lessons a long time ago and for those textbooks, Mr. Park still reads them. Even though he completed all of them, cover to cover, hundreds of times, it still gives those literary works a second life. And Jonah would never mind when Mr. Park read them outloud to him either, even when he pretended to hate it. Bed-time stories were for ‘babies' and not 8 and a half year-olds. Still, “Maybe these books aren't so bad” thought Jonah. For without them, their friendship would be lost in translation.

LION OF THE PEN When it rains, it pours!! These last few days epitomized this, with no less than four family members being rushed to hospital, two requiring urgent operations! The usually effervescent energy of the family chat group quickly shifted to a somberness that weighed heavily on the chest, often causing laboured breathing! The lighthearted posts were replaced with constant updates from the hospitals, messages of mutual support, and prayers ... lots of prayers... Then.. this afternoon, the dreaded news... I remembered that Saturday morning when he had called, requesting that I attend the Maritzburg unveiling of his book, "Mandela In Focus" at the Nizamia Hall. I remembered being in awe as he addressed the audience. I had attended primary school at Nizamia, as did my parents, uncles, aunts and many cousins. And so did he, as I surprisingly learnt from his speech! But never before had I encountered the history of the school as he told it! Even the school governing body later commented on the need to document it! After his speech, he made a bee line towards me, with the visible joy of one reconnecting with a long lost relative. He even stated that he now "recognized the family forehead"! He then quickly rearranged the row of chairs where we sat, into a circle and promptly summoned and introduced me to two other relatives, who had accompanied him to the unveiling. The last we had met was when I was a little girl, on holiday, at my uncle and aunt's home in Durban, where he was a frequent guest, up until my uncle's passing. Our paths never crossed again until January this year, when he had approached me with an invite, to be a guest on his talk show. It was only after providing a short bio for the show, did he make the connection and delightedly stated, "We're family!" Even after the unveiling event, the handful of us stood out on the school grounds as he continued exuberantly chatting, clearly explaining exactly how my grandfather was his uncle, and my mother his cousin. He pointed across the field to the house in which my grandfather once lived, next to the mosque. He said he had spent a lot of time there and could still clearly remember every detail of that house... every fruit tree in the garden... everyone who lived there... and everyone who visited... He spoke of how my grandfather "presided over the community" and how we needed to co-author a book about his life. His love for my late grandfather was visibly evident. By this time, Kevin Joseph, the photographer of "Mandela in Focus", and the school principal had joined in the conversation. He introduced me as his niece, to which Kevin quickly inquired: "Another one?" "No! This one REALLY IS my niece!" he emphatically proclaimed. I later discovered that he habitually adopted people as family. All the cars in the parking lot had by now long dispersed, except for ours... Over the coming months, I received regular phone calls... a caring uncle watching over me... a seasoned mentor... I thoroughly enjoyed listening to tales about his friendship with Muhammad Ali and Barbra Streisand, the lavish dinners, the times when her home was filled with people, at the height of fame... and other things... He always ended his calls with a bit of parting wisdom... He also spoke about the book he was writing, documenting his experiences as a journalist and activist. He mentioned the title he was considering ... "The Man They Couldn't Gag" ... and asked me to write a short poem for the foreward. I obliged with "Lion of the Pen" Lion of the Pen He feared not the hunter's bullets in his quest to be heard And a deafening ROAR it was From his written word AdielaAkoo At the time of writing this poem, I never once thought that barely six months later, I would be writing this piece! It's only been a few hours since that dreaded news, and it still feels so surreal. The reality of lifelessness in one normally so full of life, is quite jarring! From the influx of messages being posted on social media, the positive impact that uncle Farook had on the lives of so many people, is clearly apparent. Combined with this, was his wonderful talent of making each person feel uniquely special! He will, undoubtedly, be sorely missed... Part of my own treasure trove of memories is this autographed copy of his book, "The Goodwill Lounge", in which he wrote this message in bold letters: "TO ADIELA, WHO OWNS THE SKY" And that is exactly how he made you feel! Like nothing was impossible! You could take on the world, like he did! They say that when an elder dies, a library burns down. These words have never rang truer than in the case of my uncle, Farook Khan. May you rest in peace, Lion of the Pen! (10 September 1944 – 3 October 2019) by Adiela Akoo

THE TEACHER There was once a small school, located right within the heart of a small yet endlessly flowery prairie. It was not something flamboyant, only a timid marriage of rocks and bricks, happily constructed and designed to serve as a cover for our heads, when it was raining or when the sun was attacking us with his love rays. That school only had one teacher, and its sole students was me and another girl. We were not always the best example of students, usually coming without having done our daily homework, or with albeit adequate preparation for our courses; though we always wanted to attend, because the teacher always had something new to present to us. He had his special way to make us feel right at home, his speech was magical, his manners were impeccable, his presence being monumental to our very souls. I can still remember the day he told us that we humans, are equal to the other beings of nature, and that we are the only ones who have the need to go to school, because we have to train ourselves to be polite and generous, whilst the other animals are being grateful from birth. At first, I was scratching my head when I tried to decode his message, but now that I am old enough, I know he was right. Another day, we were trying to do an exercise in mathematics. The girl right next to me, was excelling at it, and proudly answered with haste his questions, smiling cheerfully to his beaming visage. I was not doing so good, stuffed with stress and anxiety that I would probably fail. In the end, I also answered, but what surprised me was him announcing us that we both passed with flying colors. “But, we made very different choices and picked diametrically opposite answers mr. Alex” I told him. “How can this be possible?” The teacher left us speechless. “Every answer is a matter of perspective, my boy” said the teacher. “For example, your colleague wrote that 1+1 =2, which is correct, I ‘ll wager. I have to admit, though, that you, son, advocate that I+I = II, which is also right. Either you write that as 2, or as 11, I am only interested that you support your thoughts with zeal and reason. That is the meaning of life”, he pointed at us. Some other day in the calendar, he took us up to the hills that were overlooking the great blue lake of our village. His eye color was identical with that of the lake. The vista was mesmerizing, both in his eyes and in the scenery, and his teaching was so soothing in our hearts. He told us that we must love our family, and honor our mother, for she was the towering of our future, and would always be there for us. We took heed and as we walked back to our class, he stopped us and kneeled in front of us. “Take a flower from me, and put it each in your pockets, and when you go back to your mother, give it to her as a present, as I can't do that. Please remember that she is the garden with the roses, and you are the raindrops of water that this garden so desperately needs to flourish”. That afternoon, we returned home filled with joy, and sadness as well. Joy because we realized that the teacher was right, and we hugged our mother like octopuses that stick to a submerged anchor. She also seemed delighted to see us act like that. But, as our hands reached our pockets, we realized the roses were not actually there, at least in physical form. That is, because our teacher, was ethereal, invisible. What that means? In fact, he was not a teacher, but a captain. That was his real-life profession. But having sailed over all the corners of the earth, he always had great deeds to tell us. And, because our school needed a teacher, he gladly offered to be our teacher. Well, our school, that harmonious amalgamation of stones, bricks and a handful of concrete, in reality was our home. The girl next to me in class, my colleague, was my sister. And what about that captain, then? Who was he? That moustache wielding champion, was our father, who passed away years ago. However, his ethics and lessons were still following us, and his presence was right next to us, watching us over. His reign as a king to our hearts will still live on, and we will never forget him, as he captained our lives with wisdom and honor. A teacher, is a beacon of light and hope. We all need a teacher. We all need a father. Our father. And he was the best teacher of them all.

I saw him sitting in a metro station and studying in that street light. I was hardly in class V to understand how much dedication it needed to study like that. In my school, I used to hear the story of Iswarchandra Vidyasagar who used to study in the street light. Was this child a Vidyasagar in the making? He was of my age or maybe a little older. He lived in that roadside shanty his parents have built. I had no idea of child trafficking etc. at that age. I only thought of how disadvantaged that child was. I used to study in a posh school in Esplanade locality and while commuting, I used to see him every evening. Metro was new in Kolkata in the '80s and hence we used to love travelling in Metro. He used to be available at the entrance of the Metro station every day. One day it was news in local Kolkata newspapers, too. Everybody was amazed to see the dedication of a child who is deprived of everything else in life. Everyone was saluting him too. Chintoo. That was how others around him used to call him. He was going to a municipal school, thanks to a local NGO. The books he used to read was donated by them. But all those were in Bengali. I asked him if he wanted to study English. He was very eager but didn't know how he could do that. As studying in mother tongue itself was a big challenge for him. I was from an English medium and in class V we were writing small essays in English. I was privileged enough to have my food all four times a day, to have teachers to teach me all subjects and also the schooling of an elite school. I realized that the only reason he was not having any of these was he was born in an extremely poor family. But the question to me was, even Vidyasagar was born in a poor family too. If he could become revered and honoured as he is today, then why can't this little boy. So I thought if I could do something – I have cut down on my play time by one hour every day and decided to teach him English. I could not tell this to my parents as they would have objected to it. I have taken my old English books and two Bengali story books to him and given them to him. I can never forget the joy I saw on his face that day. He was beaming with joy. His sparkling eyes told thousands of things together but he could not express his feeling properly. He grabbed them, hugged them, kissed them and later broke down in tears. I was watching him all through. In those days there used to be no police near Metro gates. But one policeman suddenly came from nowhere and started asking me a lot of questions. I told him that I gave my old books only and my parents asked me to do that. Well, I felt so good at telling a lie that day. For the next six months, every day I used to come that way I used to teach him English basics. He told his NGO aunty and they have shifted him to a school where he could learn English. In the meantime, one newspaper reporter caught us in action. He wanted to know my name and take our photo, I told him not to report my name as my parents did not know. I told them lies about my being late. But his report did come in local newspapers without my name and photo. My parents were praising the boy but didn't know it was their baby, who was grown up by then. My need for being his teacher ended as he was shifted to another school where he got good English teachers. I remembered the experience for long. I continued to give him my old books so that he could read and I continued to feel the joy of giving. Today he is working as a company executive in Chennai. His parents died in the late '90s due to a road accident. He is a graduate today. When I see him today, I feel we all have a Vidyasagar in us. Only we need to recognize that and get a proper opportunity (or maybe less of it but with a lot of enthusiasm) to awaken that spirit. Do I call this honesty? I was honest with the boy but not to my parents. Was it kindness? Some may say yes, but that time I felt it was my duty to give my books to someone who wanted to experience the joy reading rather than letting the books sold off to local vendors after some time. Was it for compassion? Maybe, I don't know. I only know I was amazed by his dedication. Respected for his desire to learn.