Make your wedding last forever...Pause for a coffee break to read few pages from my life...

Without a second thought I accepted to be a part of the team compiling a memoir in Malayalam, on the 50th anniversary of Dr. N. Radhakrishnan’s contribution to society.

He has been a protagonist in the story of my life in four different ways. I will share with you one after the other. Let me mention them as four significant pages of my life story. So, I will name them as Page 13, 14, 15, and 16. Wondering why I did not start with number one and started with number thirteen? There are two reasons. One reason is that I met him in my early thirties, so I am presuming I would have twelve pages to my life story before I got to know him, Second reason is that: Thirteen is my lucky number which I dedicate to the part/page when I got introduced to him transforming my life forever.

                               PAGE 13:

In 2006, when I shifted to Chennai, I received a call from an organization I joined in 1994. They explained to me about ‘Poets Conference’ to be hosted by them in Chennai, celebrating contributions of a world-renowned poet. Along with other poets they had invited an eminent personality, Dr. N. Radhakrishnan to deliver his talk on the occasion.

Due to an emergency, he was not able to attend the event, and I still believe this to be my good fortune, that I was requested to read his talk to the august audience. Without knowing much about Dr. Radhakrishnan, I accepted.

When I received the talk, I wanted to make sure I do not fumble when I read, so I read it five times and practiced the right voice modulations. The way he had written his talk made me think more and sort of opened my mind to a perspective of life filled with HOPE.

I received a standing ovation after I completed representing his thoughts to the audience.

                                PAGE 14:

Those days because of an accident, I had to quit my job as I was less mobile. This was the first time, I was not working.

One day browsing through the newspapers, I came across an advertisement to do M.Phil. stating that this will be the last year to be able to do M.Phil. in one year. Though I never met him personally, after the poets' confluence, I was in touch with Dr. Radhakrishnan on phone. I loved hearing his words of wisdom and his depth of knowledge. It always left me wanting to hear him more and more.

During one of our conversations, I mentioned to him about my interest in pursuing M.Phil. We discussed for long hours where he asked many questions to me and I asked him for more answers. The significance of this page is him recommending me to do my M.Phil. research on my mentor’s writings, a novel series which in those days had about 11 printed volumes in English. I shared with him that I do not know how to go about this and I still remember his words, ‘Just start reading with a perspective of a researcher, you will be able to do it’.

Thus with his valuable guidance, I completed my M.Phil.

This page is also interesting because I get to share with you all my first meeting with Dr. Radhakrishnan.

After confirming his availability on phone, I booked my flight tickets from Chennai (where I lived during those days) to Thiruvananthapuram. I stayed with the family of my father's friend. On a bright morning, I reached his office in Gandhi Bhavan and experienced something, which I want to share with the whole world. For all those who haven’t met him personally, you have missed this opportunity that I consider as my good fortune.

He came towards me with an enchanting smile, warmth, and compassion, so hard to find in these times. Reassuring me that I have found the best guide in this world for my research work.

During my frequent visits later for research work, I also had the privilege of experiencing how a husband expresses his care for a wife he is married to for many decades. I had a meal with this intellectual couple. I used the word ‘intellectual’ because his wife is equally knowledgeable as she contributed meaningfully to our discussion on my research.

                                PAGE 15:

A major turning point in my life.

After my M.Phil. I was encouraged by Dr. Radhakrishnan to pursue my Ph.D.

During our discussions, what he told me has been my greatest strength in my life till today. He said, “I want to hear your name as Dr. Nirmala Krishnan”. I will explain on page Sixteen, why this statement from him will remain the most significant one in my life.

Coming back to page Fifteen, his perseverance and guidance for me to continue my M.Phil. research work into my Ph.D. has made me today, the first person in the world to have done Ph.D. on this novel series THE NEW HUMAN REVOLUTION. For my M.Phil. he suggested I study the first nine volumes, which is a humungous task for an M.Phil. My Ph.D. engaged me with him to research the first ten volumes of the novel series. Because of his guidance, I am greeted across the globe as the first person to complete this research.

                                PAGE16:

After going through a divorce and starting my life as a single mother of two young children, I had lost my confidence. I avoided all social interactions because I was used to being introduced as Mrs.………

Referring back to Dr. Radhakrishnan’s statement: “I want to hear your name as Dr. Nirmala Krishnan”, this statement gave me HOPE. As mentioned on page thirteen: ‘The way he had written for the poet's conference, made me think more and sort of opened my mind to a perspective of life filled with HOPE’

I started dreaming again of a life where I will not have to shy away from the society referring to me as Mrs..……. Because of what Dr. Radhakrishnan told me, I was able to introduce myself with the prefix of Dr. Nirmala Krishnan more confidently.

In my concluding paragraph, I have few words and more sense of gratitude for this personality, who has TRANSFORMED my life by adding these four significant pages into the story of my life. I wish him good health and long life and seek his blessings filled with love for my children and me.

Quoting from Dr. Daisaku Ikeda,” To feel gratitude to one’s parents sounds like a trivial thing, but this is the mark of true maturity and growth as a human being.”

Expressing my humble gratitude to a non-biological parent through this tribute to Dr. N. Radhakrishnan.

Only because of him I sign off as....

Dr.Nirmala Krishnan

        this is my first attempt at writing a memoir
        If you enjoyed reading and feel inspired...... 
        spread the joy and inspire one more

If you are a man who has had a sister, mother, cousin, or friend, who has been leading a life of a single woman, you will want to share this page with her. 

If you are a woman who had to go through a divorce very young in your life, this page will inspire you more. 

Closing this with a small yet powerful prayer to 'MAKE YOUR WEDDING LAST FOREVER...'

* Click on the image (It's Coffee O'Clock) to read with the flavour of my coffee. Suggest reading on your laptop / desktop than on mobile phone.

#nirmalak13