Scholarship for Mom

Yesterday, Anjali my daughter requested something that seemed little strange to me. She wanted me to recite some tale(s) of my childhood and her nani. I thought a bit and shared the one appropriate for her age. Anjali went asleep, but left me in the ocean of past memories. One I pick today to share.

Mom tried her best to keep her children involved in various activities and competitions since childhood. There used to be a district level scholarship exam for the fifth grade students. On that basis selected students were to be awarded with some annual or monthly incentive for their studies. Mom filled the scholarship form and worked hard to teach me math, general science and social science. Three subjects were to be asked in sequence; if a candidate could not clear the first one - was not allowed to sit into next. This was their filtration criteria. Social Science was considered toughest and hence the last paper. With mom’s unending efforts I reached to the last level and did well. The result was about to be out by five in the evening. We all were waiting in anticipation, Then came the announcement and my name was called for. Of course, there were tears were in mom’s eyes. Undoubtedly it was hers victory.

Story did not end here. She applied my name for Navodaya Vidayalaya as well. With this my education with all expensive till senior secondary were to be funded by government in a boarding school. I appeared for the all India level exam and got selected. The complete procedure took around few months. I joined boarding in October 1988 in sixth standard. Before that I was in local school where my scholarship had already started from April 1988. As per the policy the scholarship ended in October as I moved to Navodaya Vidayalaya. In my absence, Mom got the money for the months from april to September.

To my surprise, Mom sent me the all money - around 135 rupees by a Money Order in boarding. That was the moment - when I signed the received slip in the principal’s cabin carried by the postmaster and he handed over me the amount. Thank you mom.