Nadiad is a small city in Kheda district of the state of Gujarat in India. I heard the name in 1986, when driven by my father to find a direction in life, I was instructed to write to someone living there. Being a boy interested in poetry, religion and cricket, but not wanting to antagonise people at home, I reluctantly wrote an essay on why I wanted to take up the course. I was pleasantly surprised when I received along with the application forms and brochure, a thin pink almost translucent piece of paper with lots of words written on it in cursive hand. The gentleman had replied. What was amazing was that holding so many key positions, he still had read my letter and replied. Later I came to know that all applicants were replied similarly.
Many years later, by the quirk of fate I was posted at Nadiad. Nadiad has a correlation with the number 9. It has 9 roads with nine step wells and 9 villages on those roads. Another thing worth mentioning in relation to me is that it has 9 people with the initial letter of their name as 'J' who were helpful to me during my stay there. I call it a stay, even though it was 9 and a half years.
Dr. J.K was the person mentioned above who will be remembered by many for the way he has touched their lives. My administrator, Late Mr. Jagdish Singh Rawat was a much travelled and experienced man who ran the place like a kingdom. Dr. Jaswin Vaghela was my teacher who has taught me most of the things I know about my subject. Johnson, Jonita and their daughters made the festival season more meaningful. Dr. John and Dr. J.C. Shah taught me what it means to be dedicated and humble. Jolif was like a family member, who left us untimely. I also must mention Jaimin and Balvir who are my closest friends. Last but not the least, Mr. Diwan Singh Bisht and family, my family away from home. These are people without whom I would not have survived in the place.
Thank you, two words. Sometimes you do not realise the right moment to utter them, at other times your heart is so overwhelmed with feelings that the voice fails you. It has taken me many years to realise that. Thank you.
very funny , belated congratulations for your posting .good calculations and corelations(anyother correlations!).very lucky to have lessons from seniors and so many good people surrounding you ,to not u feel lonely out there from home.realisation that matters ,no matter when .like the titile.
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