Our New Beginning

Trouble is only opportunity in work clothes.

The best way out is always through

Is it true that one can always find opportunity even in trouble? In an essay, support your position by discussing an example (or examples) from literature, science, technology, the arts, current events or your own experience/observation.

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It was the winter of 1997, when my father had been faced with a dilemma. Being only two weeks old, I clearly do not remember anything of that stretch, but I have heard this inspirational story couple of times.

Coming from a typical Hindu family, we follow a number of practices and rituals for various occasions and festivals. One such occasion was the time of my birth. We, as Hindus, celebrate the 21^st day after the baby’s birth, as a great celebration and it is the time when the baby is given a name. It’s a time of joy, happiness and a feeling of pride within the family.

As of which, the arrangements for my grand day had started within the first week of my birth. Calling relatives, setting up the venue, arranging the catering for the delicious masala dosas, buying jewelry for my tiny self…you could say, there was as much drama as you’d find during a wedding.

So, everything was going all well until two days before the celebration. My father, who was then working for a local company, had received a call from Qualcomm, head quartered in San Diego. Back then, getting a job offer from America was considered to be very lucky and a rare opportunity. Qualcomm had told him that he had done exceedingly well in the written examination and asked him to Bangalore for the interview…. the day of my celebration.

There was less than 48 hours to go. The invitations were already all sent, the arrangements were almost set up, people had started to arrive and Qualcomm firmly said they wouldn’t reschedule. My family didn’t know what to do. And that’s when my dad laid out his preferences. Either we celebrate or he goes for the interview and if he bags it, we’d settle in a much happier life. After an hours thought, he decided.

He was going for the interview.

Then what about the celebration? After asking our grandfather, the head of our family, and a number of temple pandits, we decided to postpone the celebration to two days later. It was still quite havoc, but it all worked out.

And the epilogue you would ask? The celebration went amazing, with people all over the place blessing me for an amazing future ahead. And my dad got his job, and we were off to San Diego in the next three months, all to start a new beginning…