Page 20 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

INTRODUCTION

1. In front of the Rabbit Hole

I was born into a farmer's family. My father used to visit nearby

district headquarters in connection with his land records. He told
me that I should learn typing so that immediately after passing the
examination, I could get some job. He also suggested me that
alternatively, I could work with a "Document or Deed Writer" at the Tehsil
Office whom he knew well and had seen his table drawer filled with
currency notes by the evening. Obviously, he was doing a roaring
business. But I wished to pursue my studies further.

I got tenth position in Matriculation from Punjab University with a merit
scholarship. I requested my father to let me continue my studies further;
firstly, because I was only 16 years old then and could not get a job for
another couple of years and secondly, the National Merit Scholarship
could get me almost free education up to Post Graduation in the same
city without any unreasonable financial burden on the family. He was not
convinced about the utility of higher education but some of my relatives
persuaded him and he finally agreed. I feel deeply indebted to my father
who agreed for continuation of my studies against several odds.

I continued till I completed Masters in Chemistry. I now desired to do
Ph.D. I was fortunate enough to get a seat in the area of "X-Ray
Crystallography" in Physical Chemistry under the Professor who had
taught me at the same university. I returned home quite happy and told
my parents about it.

They also were happy but my father asked me promptly, "How many
years of education have you completed so far?" I replied, "I have

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