chapter 7

Finally, the D Day arrived.My students were excited for their Annual Day!I waited for my Chief Guest as I invited the favourite student of Taara Mam. His name was Pushpendra.Pushpendra gave a welcome speech in the honour of our Chief Guest, Taara Mam. He started his speech with a Sanskrit Shloka,"Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnu,  Gurur Devo Maheshwara,  Gurur Sakshaat Param Brahma,  Tasmaya Shri Guruve Namaha!"(Guru or Teacher creates and sustains knowledge and destroys ignorance like Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. I salute to Guru who guides us towards the righteous path in our lives.)Taara Mam is not only our teacher but she is our true inspiration to do something for the the society and make this world a better place.I can share the example of my own life with all of you. Years ago, I was married to a girl called Khushbu. It was an arranged match as our parents knew each other very well. After sometime, when we decided to become parents, Doctors revealed that I suffer from a medical condition which will make it impossible for anyone to ever become a father.Khushbu left me citing my medical condition as her reason for doing so. She challenged me In front of our family and friends that I will never become a father in my whole life and I broke down in front of everyone like a small child.I decided that I will become a father one day as I felt that my life was incomplete without a child.I went to see Taara Mam and shared my dream with her.She said to me,"Pushpendra, there is no need to be disappointed as I believe that you don't have to give birth to a child in order to become a father or mother in this life.Look at me, my whole life was spent among children like you. I always believed that all my students are my children. They always share their problems and achievements with me without any inhibition or fear."I got inspired from her life and decided to adopt someone who needed the love and support of a father in this world.After some days, my mother who works in a hospital told me that a woman has given birth to a little girl. She wanted someone to adopt her as she was separated from her husband few months ago.I met her and she agreed to look after the little girl if I was ready to adopt her as a guardian.I asked her to marry me but she said that she was still in love with her husband. I admired her and adopted her little girl who called me, "Father" in her sweet voice and helped me to fulfill my life long dream of becoming a father of a sweet loving child!Taara Mam has inspired many students like me and I would like to present this honour of being a Chief Guest and a small Trophy for being the Major Influence in the lives of all her students to our most loving Teacher, Taara Mam!"Taara Mam accepted the trophy and thanked all her students from the core of her heart.After the programme, she asked Pushpendra to come for lunch at my place with his daughter and her mother.He accepted the invitation for the lunch and called the mother of his daughter, on his mobile phone,"Hello, Sugandha..."