My Mai - The Original News Junkie

 It's the early 1940s, and life is throwing curveballs faster than you can say "textbook." My mom, bless her heart, finds herself smack dab in the middle of this whirlwind, with circumstances dictating that her education wraps up at the seventh-grade mark. Yep, you heard that right – seventh grade was where the  school journey ended for her.

Now, fast forward a few decades, and here I am, strutting my stuff in the bustling world of journalism. And wouldn't you know it, my byline finds its way onto the pages of none other than India's premier tabloid, MidDay! 

You see, despite her own educational journey hitting a speed bump back in the day, becoming a widow at 35, poverty hovering around our door and having three children on tow my mom's pride knew no bounds when she saw her kid's name in lights, or in this case, in print. It was like winning the lottery of parental validation! 

But here's the kicker: that moment of pride wasn't a one-time deal. Nope, not even close. From that day forward, until the end of her days, you could bet your bottom rupee that my mom never missed a beat when it came to reading newspapers. Whether it was MidDay or the local rag, she was all in, devouring news like it was her favorite comfort food.

And let me tell you, her dedication to staying informed was something to behold. Rain or shine, busy day or lazy Sunday, you could always find her with a newspaper in hand, soaking up the latest headlines like a sponge. It was her way of staying connected to the world around her, a lifeline to knowledge that transcended the boundaries of formal education.

Looking back, it's funny how life works out sometimes. Who would've thought that a setback in the 1940s would pave the way for a lifetime of pride and dedication to staying informed and get her children educated? It just goes to show that you can't keep a good spirit down, and you certainly can't underestimate the power of a mother's love and pride.

So here's to you, Mai– the original news junkie, the eternal optimist, and the proud supporter of all my crazy dreams. Thanks for teaching me that no matter where life takes us, a little bit of pride and a whole lot of dedication can go a long, long way.

Cheers to you, Mai. Hope you are smiling from up there!


Written in 2021

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