I am visiting my Grandma’s place in Solapur just after I quit Trilogy and before joining Google. Solapur is typical small town Maharashtra, with a lot of older folks, whose children have gone to the big cities for work. A couple of my Grandma’s friends are also visiting.

My Grandma introduces me to her friends.

Grandma: “This is my grandson. He is a software officer.”
Me : “Hello! Software engineer, actually”
Friend #1: “Jeete Raho beta! My grandson is also a software officer. He works for Internet Company.”
Me : “Internet Company? Really? That’s very interesting!”
Friend #2 (to Friend #1, ignoring my last remark) : “Yes, yes. Internet. I have heard of it. Is your grandson a ticket salesman? My son, who is in America, was telling me that they buy aero-plane tickets in Internet. He must have bought it from your grandson.”
Friend #1 (kinda offended): “No, my Grandson is a software officer. He has gone to Florida now. For 6 months.”
Friend #2: “Florida? Where is that? Is it far from America? Maybe I can give my son, who is in America, his phone number.”
Friend #1 (looking at me): “What’s the name of your company, beta?”
Me : “I’m going to work for Google”
Friend #2: “Gogol? Is it a small company? Why don’t you work for a big company like Infosys? They sent my son to America 5 times! Yes. 5. How many times have you gone to America?”
Me : “I’ve been to the US once, for 2 weeks.”

Friend#1, Friend#2, simultaneously, somewhat shocked: “THAT’S ALL?!?“

I’m starting to feel a little embarrassed, though I don’t know why.

Me : “Yes, unfortunately. I work for a product company. There is not much reason to go to the US.”
Friend #1 (somewhat sympathetic): “It’s OK beta. The important thing is to work hard, and not wait for the fruits of your efforts. If the Lord so wishes, you can go to America once more.”
Me : “Err…OK…Thank you!”

I excuse myself, and walk out of the room. Outside, I can still hear them speak.

Grandma: “His mother is very smart. Father too. He only needs some time, that’s all”
Friend #1: “Yes, don’t worry. My grandson had to work 2 years before they sent him to America. You just have to work hard. Destiny will automatically reward you.”
Friend #2: “Yes. If you do a pooja for him at the Lakshmi temple, your grandson might even get sent to America this year!”
Grandma: “Let’s hope so”

Related Posts