Half Story

  

25 years ago when NASA scientists were celebrating the success of the first launch of space shuttle Columbia, one Indian space scientist’s home was also celebrating. He selected the day of autumnal equinox. “Wow, it’s a great world!”

But the same assertion did not last long when he understood the environment around him.

He started his schooling at the city where hare chased the dog, but his luck quickly took him to the place where Jesal is taking rest, who metamorphosed from a dacoit to a saint. He wanted to do everything fast, he liked speed. He wanted to become an air force pilot and so he learnt motorcycle at ten! He completed four classes in three years before coming to his birthplace once again.

That was a new world to him. He put himself on the list after failing for the first time. He made lots of friends and he thinks that they are assets of his life. Few days back he met one of his competitor of past and a good friend of present, after almost 15 years!

Sports were like in his blood and specially cricket. He was overjoyed when a Ranji Trophy player admired him after seeing his cricket ability and asked him to join cricket coaching. Though he could not make out, but he feels great when he has a bat and ball in his hand. He learnt swimming with the help of airtight Indian Oil can at natural pond and then learnt other swimming styles at swimming pool.

He almost burned his house’s bed when he was trying to segregate Hydrogen and Oxygen from water. He burned his eyebrow while experimenting with firecrackers. He just manage to survive his eyes thrice, two times while playing cricket and one time while playing Kho Kho! Fortunately, his both eyes are still his companions with the help of glasses!

His winning habit at science fairs and other competitions once inspired him to take part in Singing competition. After that great effort, he took oath not to sing in front of anybody!

He earned his first note by reversing his friend’s 18 in prelims to 81 in final SSC exam. He got chance to teach Biology and English to some students which he thinks is the funniest part of his life! He lavishly celebrated one Diwali with firecrackers worth Rs 3000 when he earned 10,000 in 15 days by selling firecrackers.

After schooling he selected to fight computer viruses over fighting with human diseases. There he met the cream of Gujarat of his age. One day in canteen his eyes got stuck at one magnum opus by God. He took a deep breath!!! He thought, “This is not my cup of tea!”

He started job and got chance to work for the organization where his root was. He was overjoyed when he got into one of his dream job.

Few months later, he received two wonderful gifts. As his friends say him “Pappu“, he approached one of these gifts in his own style but what happened next is still an enigma!!! But he thanks that wonderful gift for showing a mirror and for showing a way to live a life; “Follow your dreams, everything else will follow you”.

His dream was to give commands to aircraft machines and fly at  sound speed, now it is being mimicked by his commands to computers and speeding his bike on road.

Today when NASA is celebrating silver jubilee of their Columbia success, he is looking towards his remaining 25 years. He has taken enough rest at this mountaintop and now it is time to start climbing higher mountains with all the sweet memories of the last climb and courage from his family and friends.

As there is no meaning of a life without an impossible dream, he also has one impossible dream of his life. Let us hope he will succeed. Amen!!!

At the verge of his Half Story, I wish him a very Happy Birthday With Heart, as what his name suggests….