He was a normal child on all counts – normal in all his playful activities – with a naughty streak of mischief in his behavior. He was excellent in his studies; he was amongst the toppers in class. He was competitive too. Early on, he learnt Karate, swimming, table-tennis and was good at each of these. He had a large group of friends and playfulness and laughter were his constant companions. He completed his high school with outstanding grades and secured admission in one the most prestigious engineering schools to study Engineering.
At college too, he always scored above-average grades and finished his graduation standing second at the University exams. He had very engaging sophomore days, participating in a lot of college activities, treks, picnics, cultural meets, and excursions. He was offered the best jobs in the Engineering Industry on completion of his graduation. After a couple of years designing Quality Control Systems for an Oil Engine Major, he turned his attention to Programming. He obtained a qualification in Advanced Programming and Computing - topping the class amongst 150 Computer Analysts! He worked as a software consultant in various cities along the West Coast of the USA.
Life sailed on along predictable waters; the success and glory resulting out of accurate and precise responses to various social, psychological, and economic stimuli. He seemed a harbinger of good tidings; whatever he touched turned to gold. And then, suddenly one day, he announced his decision to renounce all his material achievements to his family. He would remain celibate and he would henceforth not participate in any social occasion – celebration, initiation, communion, or absolution of life. He would follow the ancient path of self realization. They were dumbstruck. He was considerate and patient with his explanation, but resolute in his decision. The well-wishers had to accept that he would not relent.
His life now is the scent of the blossoming flower, the aroma of the earth on the first showers after a sweltering summer, color of the springtime, and the melancholy of the sunset. It is an intensely personal journey and a soul-searching sketch, which nevertheless assumes a larger dimension given that the primordial yearning in mankind transcends time and space.
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