Parenting Story – IIT JEE

IIT JEE – Story for Ambitious Parents

Fiction Short Story By Vikram Karve

PROLOGUE

ARE YOU AN OVERAMBITIOUS PARENT…?

Are you overambitious parents who desperately want your children to succeed…?

I have seen so many overambitious parents who are willing to do anything – go to any extent – make all sorts of “sacrifices” – in order to ensure that their children “succeed” in their academic studies.

In the Defence Services – I have seen parents “sacrifice” their married life for the sake of their children’s education – the “faujan” mother lives separately with her children in a city which has good educational facilities – while the “fauji” father lives as a “married bachelor” at his place of posting.

I remember a case where an officer even quit the military so that he could live in Pune and both parents could concentrate on their children’s education.

I have seen parents remove Television (TV) from their homes (and deprive themselves of their main source of entertainment) – since the parents feel that TV may be a distraction to their children and disturb their studies.

A lady quit her job when her son entered the 9^th class – so that she could devote all her time to him and ensure that he studies properly.

Most parents spend huge amounts on Tuitions and Extra “Classes” for their children.

Yesterday – I saw an overly ambitious mother “motivating” her son to study hard and prepare well for the IIT-JEE – the Joint Entrance Examination for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs)

“You have to get into IIT at any cost…” – she exhorted her son.

And – just imagine – her son was only in the 9^th class – he still had more than 3 years to go before the IIT-JEE.

The mother was telling everyone about all the things she was doing to ensure that her son clears the IIT-JEE with high rank and gets admission into a good IIT and gets a choice branch.

The desperation of the overambitious mother reminded me of a story I had written sometime ago.

Here is the story…

IIT JEE – A Story By Vikram Karve 

PART 1

Pune (May 1972)

At the height of the scorching summer of 1972 – two boys sweated it out in the dilapidated drawing hall of the College of Engineering Pune (COEP).

The two boys were appearing for IIT-JEE – the Joint Entrance Examination for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

From time to time – the antiquated structure vibrated and reverberated as a train thundered close by on the adjoining railway tracks on the south-east mainline from Pune to Mumbai (then called Bombay).

For two full days – Saturday – the 6^th of May 1972 – and – Sunday – the 7^th of May 1972 – the two boys sat in the sweltering heat – writing 4 papers – in English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry – analytical and subjective – each paper of 3 hours duration – 2 papers per day – one in the morning – one in the afternoon.

The papers were tough – and the two boys thought and thought – till their brains went blank – and they wrote and wrote – till their fingers ached – and finally – when it all ended – they collapsed in agony with the sheer mental and physical exhaustion of it all.

While the boys wrote the IIT-JEE exam inside – their fathers waited outside – for the entire two days.

The fathers had personally escorted the boys to the exam venue at COEP in Shivajinagar from their homes in Sadashiv Peth – and back – hiring auto-rickshaws – which was a luxury for the lower middle-class.

During the exam lunch-break – the boys’ mothers – Asha and Usha – came down from their homes bringing cool buttermilk and freshly cooked hot lunch for the boys.

At the end of the exam – both boys said that they had done well – and the parents were happy.

They all lived in Madiwale Colony – a middle class locality in Sadashiv Peth Pune – where most parents with bright sons had one ambition – their son should get into an IIT – and there he would strive for a 9+ point CGPA – a passport to the “land of opportunity” – for higher studies in a good university – the best way for a middle-class boy to migrate abroad – to realize his American Dream – and then – he would find a suitable “NRI” groom for his sister there – so that she could follow.

But in the story I am narrating – the two boys were the “only child” of their parents – and their parents had left no stone unturned to ensure that their sons successfully cleared the IIT-JEE.

Both the fathers worked as clerks in a government office.

They cycled to their offices every day on their old bicycles.

Both of them had sacrificed their dreams of buying a scooter – using the money to pay for IIT Coaching Classes for their sons.

The two mothers too had done all they could to facilitate the studies of their sons – in fact – for the last two years – as their sons were preparing for the IIT-JEE – both mothers thought of nothing else and they were totally were obsessed with their respective son’s studies.

The two families were next door neighbours – they were best friends and had developed a very close relationship.

Now – after the ordeal was over – the parents were happy – the boys had said that they had done well in the exam – and they all eagerly awaited the IIT-JEE results which would be announced in early June.

PART 2

Pune (June 1972)

The IIT-JEE results were declared.

Asha’s son successfully cleared the IIT-JEE.

However – Usha’s son did not qualify in the IIT-JEE.

And – this changed the relationship between their parents – especially between the mothers – Asha and Usha.

Asha celebrated her son’s success in lavish style – she held a Puja followed by a lavish dinner – for which the entire neighbourhood was invited.

Asha was ecstatic with joy.

“I am so happy my son has got into IIT…” Asha told everyone.

Asha loudly boasted about her son’s achievement in the presence of Usha.

Asha made certain boastful remarks – which were perceived as sarcastic and insulting by Usha.

This perceived insult caused a fissure in their relationship which was beyond repair.

in due course – Asha’s son went for counseling to IIT Powai at Mumbai – and soon – he joined the same IIT for the B. Tech. Course in Electrical Engineering.

Usha’s son – who had failed to clear the IIT Entrance Exam – joined the local college for the First Year B. Sc. Course (FY) – and he would try for admission to the local Engineering College after his FY.

Those days – you joined IIT after your Pre-Degree (PD/Class 11) – for the 5 Year B. Tech. Course.

And – you joined other Engineering Colleges after completing your First Year B. Sc. (FY) for the 4 Year BE Course.

The next year – Usha’s son got admission in the local Engineering College.

After completing his B. Tech. – like most IIT graduates – Asha’s son migrated to the US to complete his MS at a prestigious University – and thereafter – he stayed on in the US to realize his “American Dream”.

After finishing his BE – Usha’s son took a job in the local industry in Pune.

As Asha’s son flourished in America – like most “Parents of NRI’s” – their lifestyle changed – and after some time – Asha and her husband relocated to a posh apartment in the upmarket locality of Deccan Gymkhana – which was bought by their NRI son.

For Usha and her husband – nothing much changed – and they continued to live in Madiwale Colony in Sadashiv Peth.

The ‘emotional distance’ due to the fissure in their relationship – and the ‘physical distance’ between their homes – resulted in Asha and Usha losing close contact with each other.

Even on rare occasions when their paths crossed – Usha scrupulously avoided Asha – and on seeing this – Asha started doing likewise – so – even when they came across each other – Asha and Usha did not talk to each other.

A few years later – Usha’s son bought a flat in a distant suburb near his factory.

(Those days – decent housing was quite affordable in such remote suburbs of Pune) 

Usha and her husband vacated their rented home in Madiwale Colony and moved to live with their son and daughter-in-law as a ‘joint family’.

After this – Asha and Usha totally lost contact with each other.

PART 3

43 Years Later

Pune (June 2015)

By now – both Asha and Usha were old widows in their 80’s.

Asha’s son was now well-settled in America.

Earlier – Asha frequently visited her son and daughter-in-law in America for ‘nanny duties’ – but – after a few years – when her grandchildren grew up – and with her son and daughter-in-law busy in the careers – Asha felt bored and ‘unwelcome’ – and so – she stopped her visits to America.

As I told you earlier – Usha lived with her son and daughter-in-law in a suburb of Pune – and over the years – this once remote suburb had now become a much sought after locality.

Whereas Asha’s ‘American’ son had achieved spectacular material success – Usha’s son had a reasonable career in the industry and would happily retire in a few years – and they all lived together as a ‘joint family’ – Usha – her son and daughter-in-law – and her grandchildren who were now in college.

One evening – Usha ran into Asha at a wedding reception at a hotel near Deccan Gymkhana.

In the presence of the newlyweds – to keep up appearances – Asha and Usha exchanged fake smiles of forced geniality.

After the event was over – Usha’s son saw Asha struggling to walk with the help of a walking stick – so went up to help her.

Usha’s son offered to drop Asha home.

“Thanks – but it is okay – I will go by taxi – the reception will call a taxi for me…” Asha said.

“Why call a taxi…? I will drop you in my car. You live in the same place in Deccan Gymkhana, isn’t it…?” Usha’s son said.

“No – I don’t live there anymore…” Asha said.

“Oh – so you have shifted to a better house…?” Usha asked.

Asha looked at Usha – then she looked at Usha’s son – and – after a pause – Asha said:

“No – I haven’t shifted to a better house – I live in an ‘Old Age Home’…”

“Old Age Home…?” Usha’s son asked, surprised.

“Yes – it is quite far away – please call a cab for me…” Asha said.

“No – No – we will drop you…” Usha said.

They all got into the car – Usha and Asha in the rear – and Usha’s son and his wife in front.

After a long time – Asha and Usha talked – about their sons – their grandchildren – their husbands – and about themselves – about the 43 years gone by.

When they reached the ‘Old Age Home’ – Asha said to Usha:

“Do you remember how happy I was when my son had got into IIT…? Now – I sometimes wish that he had not got into IIT…”

“What are you saying…?” Usha said.

With tears in her eyes – Asha said:

“Yes – those days – it was my life’s desire that my son clears the IIT Entrance Exam. 

I wanted my son to do well in IIT – and then – I wanted him go abroad to America for higher studies – and get a good job in the US – and permanently settle down there in America to realize the “Amercian Dream” .

Yes – I was so happy when he was selected for IIT. 

But – nowadays – when I feel lonely – waiting for death in the “old age home” – sometimes – I really feel – it would have been better if my son had not passed the IIT Entrance Exam.

Yes – it would have been much better if my son had not got into IIT…” 

There were tears in Asha’s eyes as she was speaking.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved) 

Link to my source blog post in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve:  http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2019/03/iit-jee-short-story.html

This Blog Post is the Revised and Abridged Version of my Story IIT JEE written by me Vikram Karve on November 25, 2015 and and posted online by me Vikram Karve in my blog at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/11/iit-jee.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/09/a-story-for-ambitious-parents-iit-jee.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/01/overambitious-parents-and-successful.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/06/iit-jee-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/01/iit-jee-story-for-overambitious-parents.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/12/12/iit-jee-a-story/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/are-you-an-overambitious-parent-do-you-desperately-want-your-children-to-succeed/ etc

Why I am going to Boarding School – A Small Girl’s Story

No small child likes to go to “Boarding School”.

No parents would like to willingly send their children to “Boarding School” – especially at a young age.

There is always some reason why parents send their small children to Boarding School.

In my case – I was sent to Boarding School in the 1960’s – at the tender age of 9 years – because my father was posted to remote places where proper schooling facilities did not exist

(In the early 1960’s – Kendriya Vidyalayas had not proliferated all over India as they are today)

So – we had many “Defence Brats” in boarding school – children with “military” parents in transferable jobs to remote locations with no schooling facilities.

In another case – parents were undergoing “non-amicable” divorce and fighting a bitter custody battle for their only son – so they thought it was best to send their small son to a Boarding School till the divorce/custody case was decided.

Some parents feel that Boarding School will inculcate a sense of discipline their children – so they send their indisciplined “spoiled brats” to Boarding School to get disciplined.

Recently – someone suggested that Boarding School was a good option for children of “career couples” (especially those in “long-distance marriages”).

Boarding School has both pros and cons.

Yes – there are advantages and disadvantages of studying in a boarding school.

The main advantages is that it gives you uninterrupted education.

In case of transferable parents – like those serving in the Defence Services – you do not have to change schools every 2 years because of your parents’ posting.

And – of course – Boarding School makes you independent and tough.

But there are disadvantages as well – you lose out on family relationships – and you have to make a special effort to learn your own mother-tongue and culture.

So – when a “Techie” couple asked me whether they should send their child to a Boarding School – I was reminded me of a story I had written long back during the days of the “IT Boom” in Pune – a story narrated by a small girl who is being sent to a Boarding School.

Dear Reader: Here is the story…

WHY I AM GOING TO BOARDING SCHOOL
A SMALL GIRL’S STORY
Short Fiction
By
VIKRAM KARVE

NB: I wrote this story long ago – around 20 years ago – in the 1990’s – during the days of the first Information Technology Boom (IT Boom) in the end 1990’s – which transformed Pune from a laid back salubrious Pensioner’s Paradise – into a bustling cosmopolitan metro. This is one of my favorite stories – A Small Girl’s Story – narrated in her own words…

WHY I AM GOING TO BOARDING SCHOOL

A SMALL GIRL’S STORY – Short Fiction By VIKRAM KARVE

It all started when God took my baby brother away.

Poor thing – my poor baby brother – poor little thing…

God took him away even before he was born.

And – Mamma was never the same again.

She changed forever.

We were all so happy then – before God took my baby brother away.

A happy family – My Papa – My Mamma – My loving Granny – and – cute little Me.

We all lived in a cute little house in a place called Madiwale Colony in Sadashiv Peth in Pune.

In the morning – Papa caught the company bus to his factory in Pimpri – and Mamma walked me down to my school nearby on Bajirao Road.

And – in the evenings – we would all go to the “Talyatla Ganpati” Temple in Saras Baug – play on the lush green lawns – and if Papa was in a good mood – he would treat me to a yummy Bhel prepared by the man with the huge flowing beard at the Kalpana Bhel stall at Parvati Chowk on Tilak Road – on our way back home.

On Sundays – we would go to Laxmi Road for shopping – eat Misal at Santosh Bhavan – and have Amba Ice Cream at Ganu Shinde – and – maybe – a Marathi movie at Prabhat, Vijay or Bhanuvilas.

And – once in a while – Papa would take us on his Bajaj scooter to Camp – or a ride on the Jangli Maharaj Road – or to picnic spots like Khadakwasla and Katraj lakes – or hiking up Sinhagarh Fort – and once we even went all the way to Lonavala – Papa, Mamma and me – all 3 of us riding on our beloved and hardy scooter.

It was a good life – and we were happy and content.

Two things are a must for a happy home.

First – you must love your home

And – you must always want to go home – because – your home is the best place in the world for you

Second – your home must love you

Your home must want you to come home – beckon you – yes – your home must welcome you and wait for you to come back – and – just like a pet dog – your home must be happy when you come back – and – your home must always want you to live at home.

Our cute little house in Sadashiv Peth – with all the loving people in living in it – was indeed a happy home – we loved our home – and – our home loved us.

And – I had lots of friends all around.

One day – they all said Mamma was going to have a baby.

Being a girl myself – I wanted a baby sister to play with – but Granny scolded me – and she said that it must be a baby brother – so I said okay – I would manage with a baby brother.

And suddenly one day – when Mamma’s tummy was bloating quite a bit – they rushed her to hospital – and God took my unborn baby brother away.

Yes – God took my unborn baby brother away.

It was at this moment that Mamma changed forever.

I sat beside Mamma in the hospital and consoled her:

“Don’t worry, Mamma. God will send another baby brother…” 

And on hearing this – Mamma started crying.

She said she would never be able to have a baby again – and I was her only baby.

My Mamma looked pale – and she had a sad look in her eyes for many days – even after leaving hospital.

And most of the time – Mamma would sit alone – brooding by the window – or moping all alone in her room.

“She will go crazy sitting in the house all day. Your wife must do something…!” everyone said.

But – Papa was adamant.

“Who will look after the house, my mother, my daughter…?” he asked.

“Don’t worry – I will manage everything…” Granny said.

So Mamma joined a Computer class nearby.

And soon – she started becoming normal and happy again.

“She is a natural programmer…” my Mamma’s teachers praised her.

And when she finished the course – my Mamma was offered a good job in a top IT software firm.

“No way…” said Papa, “I am the breadwinner. I don’t want my wife to work. I want her to look after the house.”

“MCP… MCP…” everyone said to Papa.

I did not know what MCP meant – but it made Papa very angry.

“Let her work. I will manage the house…” Granny said.

“Don’t worry, Papa. Please let Mamma work. I am a big girl now and I can look after myself. I will study regularly and come first in class…” I promised.

And so – Mamma started working.

And when Mamma brought home her first pay cheque – she gave it to Papa.

My Papa did not take the cheque.

Instead – he said proudly:

“I will be the last person to touch my wife’s money. I would rather starve – than live off my wife’s money.”

So my Mamma gave the money to Granny.

And Papa did not say a thing – he just sulked for days.

Life was hectic now.

Mamma got up very early – cooked the food – did the housework – got ready – and then both Papa and Mamma caught their respective company buses to their faraway workplaces – he went to his factory in Pimpri – and she went to the IT Park at Hinjewadi.

And after that Granny made me ready – I walked down Bajirao Road to my school.

One day my Mamma’s boss came home with Mamma.

He said the company wanted to send Mamma abroad to America to work onsite on a project.

My Mamma’s boss had come to our home to convince Papa to let her go to America.

I thought that Papa would argue – and I hoped he would not let Mamma go to America.

But surprisingly – my Papa meekly agreed – probably thinking it was futile to argue – and Mamma went away to America for three months.

Then there was an “IT Boom”.

IT… IT… Software… Software… Everywhere…

(I am sure you know that “IT” means “Information Technology”…) 

Yes –  there was an “IT Boom”.

The “IT Boom” was a turning point in our lives.

Mamma started doing better and better – becoming more and more successful – doing more and more projects – and earning more and more money.

Papa felt jealous that Mamma was earning more than him.

So – he took Voluntary Retirement (VRS) from his job – and he started a business.

I don’t know what he exactly did – but his business was something to do with software and hardware.

My Papa got so busy – that he came home late in the evenings.

Now – Papa had no time for me – but his business seemed to be doing quite well.

And then – a competition started between my Papa and my Mamma.

Soon – they both were making so much money that – one day – they said that Sadashiv Peth wasn’t a good enough place for us to live in any longer – as it did not befit their new found “status”…!!!

So we moved to a luxury apartment in a fancy township in a posh suburb of Pune – and I was put in a famous elite school known more for its snob appeal than academic accomplishments and studies.

Our new house was in a beautiful colony – far away from the city – with landscaped gardens – a clubhouse – a swimming pool – a gym – and so many facilities.

It was so luxurious – and the people living here were so highbrow and snobbish – that Granny and I were miserable.

“It’s like a 5 star prison…” my Granny would say.

She was right in one way.

For the whole day when we all were away – Granny was trapped inside the apartment with nothing to but watch soaps on cable TV in airconditioned comfort.

I too missed our cute old house in Sadashiv Peth – the Bhel – the trips to Saras Baug and Laxmi Road – and – most of all – my earlier friends who were so friendly – unlike the snobbish people here.

Oh yes – this luxury apartment was indeed a better HOUSE.

But – our cute old place in Sadashiv Peth was certainly a better HOME.

But Granny and me – we managed somehow – as Mamma increased her trips abroad to America – and Papa was busy expanding his flourishing business.

And one day – suddenly – God took Granny away.

Mamma was abroad in America on an important project – and she just could not come home immediately.

She came back after one month.

And then for days and days – Papa and Mamma kept discussing something.

I sensed that they were discussing about me – because whenever I would come – they would keep quiet or change the topic.

And tomorrow morning – I am off to an elite boarding school in Panchgani.

I do not know whether what has happened is good or bad for me – or what is going to happen to me in the future.

But – one thing is sure:

If God had not taken my baby brother away – I would not be going to boarding school.

Yes – if God hadn’t taken my baby brother away – Mamma wouldn’t have taken up a job – and – I wouldn’t be going to boarding school.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

This Story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved) 

Link to my source blog post in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-small-girl-tells-her-story-why-i-am.html

This is a revised updated version of my Fiction Story WHY I AM GOING TO BOARDING SCHOOL – A SMALL GIRL’S TALE Written By Me Vikram Karve more than 20 Years ago in the end 1990’s and also posted online earlier a number of times on my creative writing blogs at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2010/08/why-i-am-going-to-boarding-school.html  and  http://creative.sulekha.com/why-i-am-going-to-boarding-school_58256_blog  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/06/why-i-am-going-to-boarding-school-story.html  and  https://www.quora.com/profile/Vikram-Karve/Writing-by-VIKRAM-KARVE/Childrens-Day-Story  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/03/why-i-am-going-to-boarding-school-small.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/09/a-small-girls-tale-blog-fiction.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2011/07/my-favourite-short-stories-part-7-why-i.html  and http://creative.sulekha.com/my-story-a-small-girl-s-tale_52171_blog  and https://karve.wordpress.com/2007/02/05/my-story-a-fiction-short-story-by-vikram-karve-2/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/03/why-i-am-going-to-boarding-school-small.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/04/a-small-girls-story-why-i-am-going-to.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2018/03/a-small-girl-tells-her-story-why-i-am.html etc