A Gift from God

My father is the greatest gift God has given me—a blessing wrapped in unconditional love and unwavering dedication. Though he never had the privilege of formal education, he possessed something far more valuable: a burning passion for knowledge and an unshakeable belief in the power of learning.

He became my first teacher, not through books, but through the way he lived his life. Every day, he demonstrated what it meant to be responsible, to care deeply, and to love unconditionally. His greatest dream wasn't for himself—it was for us, his children. He encouraged us to focus on our studies, to embrace education with the enthusiasm he never had the chance to experience fully. In doing so, he became my inspiration in love, in caring, and in being truly responsible.

One aspect of his character that never ceased to amaze me was his relationship with the English language. Though he never had the chance to learn English in school, I would often find him making notes in English in his pocket personal diary—a testament to his self-driven pursuit of knowledge. This always surprised and inspired me.

I still vividly remember a day from my childhood when I was studying at Rama Krishna Convent. He brought me to a political meeting in Gudlavalleru where he had to be present to provide electrical support for the event. The speaker that day was none other than Smt. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India. Throughout her speech in English, my father kept asking me, "Do you understand what she's saying?" He wanted to ensure I was comprehending every word.

This moment revealed so much about his aspirations for us. He expected his children to be fluent in English—not as a luxury, but as a necessity for success. This was something he would specifically mention to Swamy, the headmaster and founder of our convent. My father understood that the education he never received could open doors for his children that had been closed to him. And he was determined to make that happen.

My father's journey was nothing short of remarkable. He began his career as a helper in the Andhra Pradesh State Electricity Board (APSEB), later APSPDCL—a position that required no technical knowledge, only determination. But determination he had in abundance. Through sheer willpower and self-directed learning, he transformed himself from a helper into an assistant lineman, and eventually into a full-fledged lineman.

What made his achievement extraordinary wasn't just the title—it was the mastery he acquired along the way. This self-taught man learned to engineer running electrical lines and set up transformers for villages and mills. He became an expert in a field he knew nothing about when he started. He was, undoubtedly, a great achiever.

I still vividly remember watching him prepare for work each morning. While others might complain about commuting, my father would ride his bicycle 20 to 50 kilometers every single day—sometimes even more—to serve the communities that needed him. Rain or shine, heat or cold, he pedaled forward with purpose.

His work ethic was extraordinary, but what truly set him apart was his service-oriented spirit. He never forgot that his income came from the Government of India, and therefore, from the people themselves. This understanding transformed every task into a sacred duty. He always gave preference to the public and society, treating each call for help as an opportunity to make someone's life better.

As his child, I had the privilege of learning directly from this remarkable man. He taught me not just technical skills, but the meta-skill that would serve me for a lifetime: how to learn. He showed me that formal education is just one path to knowledge, and that curiosity, dedication, and practice can unlock doors that seem permanently closed.

The greatest lesson he imparted—the one that echoes in my mind even today—is to always be a learner first, and only then a mentor. This wisdom has shaped my entire approach to life and work. It reminds me to stay humble, to remain curious, and to understand that teaching becomes possible only when we embrace being taught.