One day, when I went to watch a movie in the nearest multiplex ( and to do some window-shopping) with my parents and my cousins, we ran  into my dad’s ( ex) class-mate and best friend, who happens to be a successful  lawyer.
They were absolutely shocked to their wits, and greeted each other warmly( and loudly too!!!) He saw me and said “ I had come to your house when you were a tiny tot. My…you have grown so tall!!! Anyways, which grade are you studying in?”

-    “10”! I replied.
-    “So, have you decided what to do after class 10?”
-    “Nope. I haven’t.”
-    Do you want to become a doctor like your parents?”
-    “Not really. You see, I’m working very hard and sweating it out for my board exams, so unless I’m not done with my ultimate tests, I cannot say anything.”
And this friend went on and on about his brother’s son, who joined the IIT in Kanpur, which is believed to be the best of all the IITs in India and his sister’s daughter, who has written the AIPMT and scored 98%. I felt uncomfortable and wanted to get out of the place a.s.a.p (as soon as possible).
-    “Mum, shall I get popcorn for all of us?”
-    “Ok. Please come back soon.”
-    “Yes, mum”.

On another fine day, my mom’s cousin, or, my aunt, came over to our house.
Both of them were chatting away merrily. She saw me and asked, “You are in class 10, right?”. I gave a nod.
-    “So, what will you do after class 10”.
-    “I don’t know...”
-    Will you become a doctor like your mum?
-    “Well, not really. I want to take up any subject other than science or math.”

And then she told about her dad’s friend’s daughter who has secured the first position in the EAMCET tests held recently, and someone else who has secured the second position in the AIEEE.


-“Mum, Dad, isn’t there any other option than IITs and medical colleges? Engineering and medicine are not the only options in this world. There are many other careers which we can take up. Why do people fail to understand this?”
-“Listen. Don’t you care about others? We don’t think that you must become a doctor like us both. You can take up a subject of your choice. As for others, you can’t change their thinking. We had very limited choice in our times. But you have many options to go for. So, choose that career that you are most interested in.
I wanted to become a doctor, because somebody else expects me to become one.  I worked hard, and I am a successful doctor .But I sometimes feel guilty for not having taken a career of my choice.
But, we want you to take up a career of your choice and work hard to achieve your goals.
 Mum, Dad,I want to become a journalist.”

“We are with you. Now stop worrying, and let’s have dinner. I’m starving.”
“I made something good and tasty for all of us. Oh...my cousin who lives in Bengaluru is coming over to our house with her kids.”

“OH, NO!!!”

My message to all my peers is- When you grow up, don’t you go to an engineering college or a medical college just because somebody else wants you to go. If you are interested in some other fields, do not shy away to tell your parents. The most important thing is – DO WHAT YOU WISH TO DO.