Foreword

A Journey Made Easy by Uncommon People 11

be given exemption from PhD coursework. I wish my effort to help had been effective. Both broke down when they were finally informed that ‘Amity University Haryana rules did not permit’. However, a year later UGC rule came to this effect. They could not find time from their busy time schedules to attend the coursework! Both have remained updated with the latest. They did not actually need the coursework. I felt deeply hurt, because, I still believe that rules need to facilitate and not come in the way to discourage! I remain in touch with both. Anita Gupta’s message touched me deeply, ‘I respect you a lot and above all I love you. You made me feel important. Thanks a lot. Kindly accept my regards.’ Naglatha still becomes emotional!

All those mentioned in the book and many more whose names have got inadvertently missed gave me strength for my daily needs. Large number of books that I was blessed to touch, read and feel helped me to learn different perspectives by becoming my teacher, giving me strength, positive energy and engaging meaningfully. These became my close companions after Devendra’s going away to the better world. The books provided me comfort.

Papa and Mummy passed the value of hard work, positivity, reaching out, staying away from gossip, never to take advantage of anyone’s problems and never feel jealous. We were also taught that it is healthy to compete with oneself and to keep improving by learning from others. They encouraged my brothers Anand, Ashok and me to stay close to nature, keep learning from travels which we did with them. We learnt that people had to be valued whether we liked them or not, we had to reach out when they needed us.

Anand, Ashok and their families provided so much of time, energy, positivity. They have been with us in every difficulty, sadness, illness, not only of my family, but everyone in my big family with a great sense of duty!

Devendra believed in me, had faith in me. He gave me space to grow with grace, time to mature and yet be childlike! He protected me from getting hurt from any unkind treatment with his love and strength.

My son Divyamanu, his wife Priyanka and their daughter Vaidehi have been a constant support, encouraging me to do what

12 A Journey Made Easy by Uncommon People

I wish to by never becoming demanding or imposing. They are my greatest blessing, I have freedom, I am never questioned, my difficulties are understood by both of them. Vaidehi’s love keeps giving me energy.

I have learnt that friends will never misunderstand. My childhood friend Vinoo and her husband Satya have always been generous and kind to me, concerned about my well-being. She had been understanding even when I could not visit her for years. Vinoo keeps telling me every time I meet her ‘Kiran, not everyone is lucky to have brothers like you!’ The moment we meet, there is so much to share, no embarrassing moment. There are many in the book who are equally understanding, expect no formalities and never fail to appreciate my limitations.