Finally the Day has arrived – the day for which I fought with my parents, the day for which I agreed to disagree with my annoying relatives when they said that a girl should be married by the age of 25 and the day for which I quit my highly paid job. The day I achieved one dream and start on another. My Convocation Day. As I drape my beautiful blue sari my thoughts wander to the day I announced at home that I am quitting my job for higher studies. My father shouting at me for being stubborn, my brother trying to console him and my mother crying, seems like it happened just yesterday. My father was retiring that year and so he wanted to see his daughter married and in his words, settling in
life. My father always supported me, even when I decided to take a break from studies after 12th standard. This was the first time he said no to me. It hurt but I knew I had to stick to my decision if I wanted to achieve something in life. Being the stubborn child in the family I joined this college and I have never regretted the decision.
When I look at the mirror now, I see a more matured woman. A woman who still has the ‘forever alone’ tag but who did exactly what she wanted and succeeded. Life could not be any better. After getting ready I walk out of the hostel towards the main building. I see many excited faces around - my classmates, my best friends, friends I sang with, danced with, fought with and worked with in the worst times. All of them in their gowns looked perfect and professional. The 15th batch to graduate waiting to make a mark in the IT world. All the long hours, umpteen number of coffees, arguments on various issues, cursing the professors for the workload, everything seems trivial now. Everything is worth it. Finally we are going to reap the fruits of our labor.
We assemble at the front of the main building and then are led to the hall by a proud Director
and beaming professors. While walking to slow music I cannot believe that it is happening. I have butterflies in my stomach and my heart is pounding. I see my family searching for me and when their eyes find me I see the look in my father’s eyes. The look I have been waiting to see since a long time. The look of pride. My mother and brother are smiling like never before. I smile and wave back. A camera flashes and captures the picture perfect moment. After we take our seats the function begins. Lighting of the lamp is followed by an invocation song by the juniors. Then the speech by the Director and the chief guest inspires us to move forward from this point on and never look back. At the prize distribution my friend receives the best student award. She deserves it. As per the ritual she gives a speech. She mentions all of us and the time she had here. I realize that I am tearful at the end of the speech. I am not able to stop myself from hugging her when she returns to her seat.
The main part – conferring of the degree - of the program is announced. I am tensed at the thought of going on stage. My stage fear has reached the heights and I make a mental note to work on it. And then I hear the name - my name - being called out. I jump up from my seat and almost run to the stage, tripping a little on my sari. No one noticed. I would not care if anyone did because I now had in my hands the paper which depicted all the tension I went through. My MTech degree.
The ceremony comes to an end with the thank you speech. After many photographs and throwing the hats high up I meet my parents for lunch. My mother asks if I am now happy and if it is finally time to meet prospective grooms. I smile and say something in reply. My father rolls his eyes when he hears the words ‘planning a Startup’.
The main part – conferring of the degree - of the program is announced. I am tensed at the thought of going on stage. My stage fear has reached the heights and I make a mental note to work on it. And then I hear the name - my name - being called out. I jump up from my seat and almost run to the stage, tripping a little on my sari. No one noticed. I would not care if anyone did because I now had in my hands the paper which depicted all the tension I went through. My MTech degree.
The ceremony comes to an end with the thank you speech. After many photographs and throwing the hats high up I meet my parents for lunch. My mother asks if I am now happy and if it is finally time to meet prospective grooms. I smile and say something in reply. My father rolls his eyes when he hears the words ‘planning a Startup’.
