The Ray of Hope

I was about to give up, when I met him for the first time………….

In our daily lives we come across many people, strange, beings crossing us from all borders of life and angles… Life seems to be just a fine rhythmical river which takes it own path as it comes and so do we flow with it in times of joy and sorrow.

I read a quote once, “Fate decides who walks into your life, You decide who stays”, well that’s true indeed, I look back and I see some of the most beautiful times I have spent with are people who have lived for a short span of time with me, yet the footsteps we shared together are like carvings on a rock wall, they seem to stand so green and so invincible leave behind.

For me, one of those most memorable times was University, and I just can’t have enough of it… Some of the best friends made some of the most priceless time I have earned and some of the most remarkable people I’ve met.

Here’s a man, I want the world to meet, his name is Dr. D. Arivudainambi, Ph.D and he’s the man who has changed a part of me; for good, forever. If he hasn’t been there in my life that day, I wouldn’t have been what I am. Thanks to his hope and wisdom, I am a man of who I always dreamt to be.

Presenting my priceless Teacher a word of thanks from the bottom of my heart:

Dearest Sir,

You were one of my most influential mentors I have ever met in my life. Brilliant and encouraging, you led me through the rigorous yet the most satisfying days of my life in University--no simple feat. The very Math class which turned out to be my nightmare changed into glory because of you, and it so happened that your class was one of my favorite classes. Under your masterful and entertaining tutelage, even Math was immensely interesting. I just loved hearing you talk and never missed a class. Every day, when you strayed from the topic and just bantered on, I hung on to your every word. I took more notes on your life musings than on anything on which I would be tested.

But it was your confidence and your convictions in me that left such a lasting impression. When I'd answer a question in class and you would say, "Vasanth” you give me great hope for the human race," I wanted to jump from my desk and hug you. No one had said words like that to me. Those where days when I never wanted the class to end.

I loved the way you were a professed Anglophile and you'd come strutting into class on the gloomiest, humid days, but always enter the class with a distinct smile, and enthuse, "What a beautiful day. Just like the way it used to be, back in my beautiful village." With your spot-on Tamil accent—it was one of the most memorable voices ever to be heard.

I studied just one subject called “PQT” under you. Even though I hated that subject so much, I studied only because of that pure and raw hope you had on me, and you believed I can always do it, and I worked for it because your respect meant the world to me. Although you were probably just 8 or 9 years older than I was, your inter activeness with the students and people like me, made me fall in love with you--with your brilliance, your wisdom, your glorious mind. You illuminated with your wisdom and knowledge.

Of course, most of my classmates thought you were the most difficult teacher in the Math Department which is why it gave me such great joy to produce work that pleased you. It was both a challenge for me and a triumph.

I hope you remember the day I wrote my very first email to you, saying that I have passed my paper with distinction, which was one of the happiest moments of my life sir. Even though I failed and failed again, the hope you had on me, was the most priceless thing I have earned out of you, and I am sure I will keep it safe for the rest of my life.

I was an insecure and a helpless student and you changed my world in ways you'll never know. I think of you often and hope by the Lord’s blessings you're doing well. I hope you would be very proud one day of the person I've become.

With Love and Admiration Always,

Your Most Devoted Student

Vasanth G.Benjamin

* PQT (or) Probability and Queuing Theory is a subject which comes in 4th semester for the Engineering students of Anna University, and is till date considered the most challenging subject ever listed on the University syllabus and when it came to existence for the first time in 2002, about 73,000 students failed miserably all over the state. And by the time I had finished engineering, I had already failed 5 times and the highest mark I had got was 12 and had just one remaining chance to pass it. That’s when I met my savior, under his confidence and hopes I studied just a month under him and got 78% with a distinction rank, making him one of the most respected people I have ever had in my life.

Dedicated to the man, I call; "God Himself"........

May God Bless Him :)