Reflections of the Past

asked her to prepare ‘roti’ as well. On some days, the ‘roti’ was so stiff in refrigerator that it was cut in pieces when I used to hold it a little carelessly. Sometimes, I had to add some drops of water to make it eatable and I ate it, ate it and ate it for seven years and still counting.

I never spoiled the food until it was absolutely necessary; this is the way my parents brought me up and it is the case generally in our society and I was no exception.

I never bogged down, never gave up and never thought I won't make it, got graduation with Honor Cum Laude (got GPA of more than 3.6) and secured 1st position in my MS. But, the lift I needed with scholarship for PhD did not happen. But, I feel very satisfied that I never led my circumstances come in my way to do the job I was supposed to do.

I never cheated in all my 18 academic years. I remember I was going to Hajj when I was in 9th class. I had to just go after taking my 2nd final subject exam, when the invigilator got to know, he offered all sorts of help, but I refused. After coming from Hajj, I had to take practical exam for chemistry. Usually, they ask to write the summary of one of the practical exercises. I had memorized three. He knew that I came from Hajj, he said: “do any two” and went out of the room. I was alone in the room and did the ones I had memorized and I didn't look at my practical book.

After 1st year exam in the college, one responsible person in college administration asked me to share the cost of buying a position in annual college exam. The college was new and they wanted positions to grow, I refused and my friend who was given the same offer also refused. When results came, I got only 69% and was not even asked by the college administration as to what happened and why I got low marks. The friend with his integrity got better marks and he was at least praised and given recognition despite him also turning down the offer. In the final result after second year exam, I got a better percentage than all three of the fellow students in the same league who were above me in grades in the first year.

In final year college exams, the invigilator who was my teacher incidentally, came to me and told me that my answer is wrong, he turned over the question paper and solved the question in the right way. I told him that I know other questions as well and I have choices and can attempt them, but I will not since I could not identify the mistake myself.