Page 29 - My Father-Final Book

His Influence on Me and My Work
Now, let me turn towards my migration to countries outside India and my stay in those countries. During my last years of University education, I was obsessed with the idea of studying in the USA. As described earlier, I had applied for and was offered admission with financial assistance to PhD program in two universities. But, my visas were rejected on the ground that my father had no property and that my interest would be to stay in the USA beyond education. In my opinion, it was totally unfair treatment, but I accepted it with happy face after one week of disappointment. My father’s prediction about the job in Tatas instantly put an end that disappointment. And, I got busy with my job.
After two years of employment, my employer offered me to go to New Zealand to work there. I called my father in Pune who told me to accept the offer. My father had come to the airport to see me off. It was a feeling of joy that I got a chance to go to an affluent country and my wish of going to the USA was fulfilled in some ways, if not exactly. By now, I had forgotten about my past obsession with the USA. At the airport, my father held my hand after I touched his feet with my head and told me “do not think this is your only travel abroad. After some time, you shall go to the USA and you will travel to many countries in the world”. I listened to this but did not think about it much later. I had to focus on the work at hand and all challenges appearing. But, inside my heart, I knew my father’s word has to come true. After two and half a years, I visited India for 5 months, during which I studied with the world famous Yoga Asana Teacher, Guruji BKS Iyengar. After this period, I migrated to New Zealand. After another couple of years, I visited the USA for vacation to visit Disneyland near Los Angeles. During this visit, I renewed my
29