A Child of Destiny An Autobiography

T HE BRIEF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL account presented in this volume is an attempt to show the significance of circumstances in shaping one's destiny. Volition has an important role to play, but intentions are insufficient to determine the outcome. Wisdom consists in taking advantage of the circumstances to move the events in the desired direction. Volition is the driving force but needs guidance for an appropriate outcome. It is hoped that this brief autobiography is sufficiently illustrative of this. I grew up in a rural setting, economically backward and socially uninspiring in some ways. Yet it had other advantages that could be exploited to realize one's true potential. Rural living has its own nobility; it instills unadulterated values without any sophisticated encumbrances, and can help to drive the inner spirit toward self-realization. A judicious rural-urban mix could be a boon for one to blossom and harvest full inherent potential and talent. This exercise is a description of the play of destiny in my own life. This has several lessons for me, and I hope it has something to offer to others. My tryst with destiny is in many ways memorable and satisfying. There were many who were instrumental in materializing these events. My family had been and continues to be an important source of support and even inspiration. My beloved wife for 69 years traveled with me all the way sharing the spring days as well as the chills of life. Now she left me blissfully and peacefully breathing her last in her sleep at 2.00 a.m. on 03 May 2019. She was though less abled during the last few years, she was a joy of my life; now I feel orphaned and lonely; but she would not have wanted me to get sick and tired. So, I go on with my life, even though I find my evenings uninspiring and lifeless. My children live continents apart, on the other side of the globe. With the communications revolution in place now, the physical distance matters very little. However, now that my wife was gone, my children want me to spend more time in the US. Used to an active life in Visakhapatnam, I hesitate to spend my time in semi- retirement. I am now in search of a golden mean. I thank Dr. Rositta Joseph for copy-editing the manuscript of this book with her characteristic care. It is not inappropriate to say how fortunate I am to have such wonderful people around me to help. Rafi is with me wherever and whenever I need him. I have excellent facilities in my office at GITAM as well as great help at my home. I acknowledge my grateful thanks to all of them, who continue to support me. Their loving service sustains me and keeps me going with undiminished energy and enthusiasm.

**Contents and Sample Pages**