Timid and stammering speech, wasn’t it? Something so normal, wasn’t it? Well, it takes a lot of guts to speak the truth, stark and naked reality. It takes some time to realise the effect of the happening present. That’s why we have reminiscences and regrets, about the past. Remember the day you proposed, or received a proposal? That feeling of love? That’s what I exactly felt. I was expressing my love in the most simple words I could.
I had learnt how different atmospheres of students are. I had learnt to adapt myself, and my speech to students. Everyone of you is unique. I had learnt to sleep at 4 and wake up at 8, and still make my most productive days. This would not have been possible without the inspiration called you. A few of you should not have been studying science, a few should have been ‘learning’ science, and a few of you, well, though you don’t realise what you’re doing, you’re doing it well. I had been letting you know all these in person since an year, and if you still want a suggestion or comment, you know me.
I had learnt, in a very precise manner, how parenting affects a child. I had never realised this significance before. Maybe, one reason more I felt I had to be in India is that I had not been around with my parents for 6 years since. I had changed a lot, almost everything from what I had been 6 years ago. I felt the desperate need to connect back with my roots, wherever they are. You were all my experimental subjects, and may be someday down the line, I’ll be helping someone else, in a better way because you shared your stories with me. Don’t be surprised if you meet me someday, maybe as a parents counsellor, somewhere, when you’ve got kids to bring up.
I had learnt physics with a clear mind than you. I too never understood most of the great science back then. I had to mug it up. It just took a lot of practise and considerable observation before the clouds cleared off, and the sun shone bright. So will it happen with everyone of you. Right practise and allocation of ample time towards anything will take you to its own Everest. Some might realise that right now, some a year later, and some, maybe, a decade later. If I had been an appeasing wind, pushing the clouds away, even by the slightest amount, I would be highly delighted to having been there. The process of learning should never end, and till the last correction in calculations in SE-3 today, I had been learning. Thanks for clearing my thermodynamics, fluids and more, every single subject of which I had failed someday in my career. If my college degraded my intellect, it is you people, the handwork you have put into it (all my good students especially) and the dedication you have showed towards the subject, that has revived my love towards physics. So, in case I love physics, the reason is you.
I had understood how significant the people around a person can affect them. Your friends form an integral part of your life. You don’t realise how can a good group around turn a playful you into a hardworking good student, or a bad group around can make a random cheapo flirt out of a hardworking good student. Neither do I. But, I think parents tell you this, very precisely. Listen to them for once, you’ll only understand what big difference can these tiny points make, only after 20 years from now. If they’re telling you that some X is a bad influence, then keep away from X. Simple. It may take you a month or two to come out of that feeling, but it is worth the pain. EVEN IF X IS EQUAL TO A RELATIONSHIP.
I had always been a man of concept and handwork. It doesn’t matter to me what answer you get, as long as your procedure is right. I don’t care about the 99 you get, I’m more worried about the 1 you lost. If you had worked hard enough for 100, there is not a simple complaint I have against you. If may not pay you like an IIT-B, it may not take you into MIT, but, as and when needed, it’ll make you stand high above your peers. And on the contrary, even if you manage an MIT but do not give your best every day, every moment, someday shall come when you’ll collapse like a pack of cards. In Hindu mythology, it is known by a concept called ‘Karma” Know it this way. Whatever you do to the universe, it’ll return to you. Something like our law of conservation. So, do good, and leave. It’ll come back when it needs to. Maybe, like your really surprising farewell. I was so stunned by the way you had planned it. Whoever was the mastermind behind this, a special thanks to you.
I’ll tell you a delight about freedom from people. It’s a dime, the one you feel when your parents go to work and you’re free to turn on your system for fun. It’s a coin, when you’re alone and free and get to hang out with your friends, or maybe your bae. It’s a 100 dollar bill when your parents go on a vacation for a week, and leave you at your bae’s place. It’d be a stack of those bills, the moment you get to your college hostels, like literally, you would be feeling it in your pockets. It’ll be a case of those stacks the first day you pick up a job. You can make a thin bed of that money, and sleep on it, if you wish.
But, not any of it is comparable to this joy I feel, for all the love you had shown. Along human course, we have developed a beautiful understanding of the universe called Mathematics. It gave us, amongst many other revelations, numbers, which helped us to quantify most of the things in our life. We can give a price to everything around today, including human kidneys, eyes and even life. But, just like physics has an end when someone why does the universe exist, the Math also has an end when we ask it to quantify human emotion. May be some gifts are more about the affection they carry than about their prices. May be, some gifts are worthier than most other salaries. May be, a farewell day’s love is more enchanting than a full year handwork you put to deserve it. May be that’s what John Green meant, some infinities are bigger than other infinities.
“I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful.”
It has been a wonderful journey with all you people, and maybe, a surprise farewell speech couldn’t suffice it. Maybe, a few more things to be said. The day I had joined Meccademia, I had no idea about what I was getting into. I had no idea of how deep impressions I could make, or how significant I’m going to be. I never knew the feel of it before. As the time passed by, I had learnt how to teach, more practically. If there is one strength I consider in myself, it is my capability to connect with you, speak (try to) a language which you consider yours. Thanks for teaching me that. Thanks for teaching me how to teach. I’m a good student and you better know how well have I learnt my job.
I had learnt how different atmospheres of students are. I had learnt to adapt myself, and my speech to students. Everyone of you is unique. I had learnt to sleep at 4 and wake up at 8, and still make my most productive days. This would not have been possible without the inspiration called you. A few of you should not have been studying science, a few should have been ‘learning’ science, and a few of you, well, though you don’t realise what you’re doing, you’re doing it well. I had been letting you know all these in person since an year, and if you still want a suggestion or comment, you know me.
I had learnt, in a very precise manner, how parenting affects a child. I had never realised this significance before. Maybe, one reason more I felt I had to be in India is that I had not been around with my parents for 6 years since. I had changed a lot, almost everything from what I had been 6 years ago. I felt the desperate need to connect back with my roots, wherever they are. You were all my experimental subjects, and may be someday down the line, I’ll be helping someone else, in a better way because you shared your stories with me. Don’t be surprised if you meet me someday, maybe as a parents counsellor, somewhere, when you’ve got kids to bring up.
I had learnt physics with a clear mind than you. I too never understood most of the great science back then. I had to mug it up. It just took a lot of practise and considerable observation before the clouds cleared off, and the sun shone bright. So will it happen with everyone of you. Right practise and allocation of ample time towards anything will take you to its own Everest. Some might realise that right now, some a year later, and some, maybe, a decade later. If I had been an appeasing wind, pushing the clouds away, even by the slightest amount, I would be highly delighted to having been there. The process of learning should never end, and till the last correction in calculations in SE-3 today, I had been learning. Thanks for clearing my thermodynamics, fluids and more, every single subject of which I had failed someday in my career. If my college degraded my intellect, it is you people, the handwork you have put into it (all my good students especially) and the dedication you have showed towards the subject, that has revived my love towards physics. So, in case I love physics, the reason is you.
I had understood how significant the people around a person can affect them. Your friends form an integral part of your life. You don’t realise how can a good group around turn a playful you into a hardworking good student, or a bad group around can make a random cheapo flirt out of a hardworking good student. Neither do I. But, I think parents tell you this, very precisely. Listen to them for once, you’ll only understand what big difference can these tiny points make, only after 20 years from now. If they’re telling you that some X is a bad influence, then keep away from X. Simple. It may take you a month or two to come out of that feeling, but it is worth the pain. EVEN IF X IS EQUAL TO A RELATIONSHIP.
I had always been a man of concept and handwork. It doesn’t matter to me what answer you get, as long as your procedure is right. I don’t care about the 99 you get, I’m more worried about the 1 you lost. If you had worked hard enough for 100, there is not a simple complaint I have against you. If may not pay you like an IIT-B, it may not take you into MIT, but, as and when needed, it’ll make you stand high above your peers. And on the contrary, even if you manage an MIT but do not give your best every day, every moment, someday shall come when you’ll collapse like a pack of cards. In Hindu mythology, it is known by a concept called ‘Karma” Know it this way. Whatever you do to the universe, it’ll return to you. Something like our law of conservation. So, do good, and leave. It’ll come back when it needs to. Maybe, like your really surprising farewell. I was so stunned by the way you had planned it. Whoever was the mastermind behind this, a special thanks to you.
I’ll tell you a delight about freedom from people. It’s a dime, the one you feel when your parents go to work and you’re free to turn on your system for fun. It’s a coin, when you’re alone and free and get to hang out with your friends, or maybe your bae. It’s a 100 dollar bill when your parents go on a vacation for a week, and leave you at your bae’s place. It’d be a stack of those bills, the moment you get to your college hostels, like literally, you would be feeling it in your pockets. It’ll be a case of those stacks the first day you pick up a job. You can make a thin bed of that money, and sleep on it, if you wish.
But, not any of it is comparable to this joy I feel, for all the love you had shown. Along human course, we have developed a beautiful understanding of the universe called Mathematics. It gave us, amongst many other revelations, numbers, which helped us to quantify most of the things in our life. We can give a price to everything around today, including human kidneys, eyes and even life. But, just like physics has an end when someone why does the universe exist, the Math also has an end when we ask it to quantify human emotion. May be some gifts are more about the affection they carry than about their prices. May be, some gifts are worthier than most other salaries. May be, a farewell day’s love is more enchanting than a full year handwork you put to deserve it. May be that’s what John Green meant, some infinities are bigger than other infinities.
“I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful.”