Relativity!

Einstein's theories of relativity (special and general) are often cited as examples of something that's extremely complex; but there's yet another, more complicated form of 'relativity' that makes me apprehensive about attending marriages and other social functions. I always run into someone who takes pleasure in conducting interrogation sessions by linking family genealogies.

"So you are related to Girish.... That makes you cousin of my sister's niece. Right? Arre, atleast do you know that your father is related to my uncle's younger cousin? अरे, तुझी मावशी म्हणजे आमचे साडू आहेत ना त्यांची मोठी सून. ...."

When it comes to decipering relations, I am dumber than anyone else. It is only with tuition from Arti that I can differentiate between a भाची and a पुतणी and am yet to learn by-heart the chemistry between a जाऊ and नणंद. And, these relations are not symmetric. For example , if Gauri is my आत्तेबहीण then conversely I should be Gauri's आत्तेभाऊ, right ? No! I happen to be her मामेभाऊ!!

B. Sc.

He was depressed. 
Blame it on the pathetically low number of engineering colleges in his small state, or the meager of seats available for his category, the fact remained that he would have to forgo his dream of pursuing computer engineering. His worried parents sent him to meet his high school headmaster. 


Walking towards the cabin, he avoided looking at the Roll of Honour on the wall. It featured his name in the list of Meritorious students of SSC... Thinking about it made him even more guilty.

"Sit down, it's good to see you after a long time," welcomed the elderly headmaster.
"Couldn't make it to engineering, sir," said the boy, "Have enrolled for B.Sc. I am useless, totally ashamed of myself."

"Son," said the kind teacher, "I am also a B. Sc... So, I guess you think am useless, and are ashamed of me as well?"

When the boy left the cabin a short while later, he was determined to value knowledge as something over and above just a degree... And he still does.


(Based on a true story)