You are an inspiration in the true sense of the word ma’am. I run a school in the name of Brainz Edu World in the city of Meerut and I was introduced to you and your work as I was finalising the reader book for our fourth graders. They have been reading your beautiful book — The Magic of the Lost Temple and are in love with the characters! They recently had such fun imagining what would happen next in the story and what would they do if they found a pit in the forest!
Watching your special appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati was inspiring for more than one reason. I am embarrassed that it took me so long to learn more about you! Your simplicity and straightforward approach to life has inspired me. Work is all that matters, be kind to those around you, give back what you have received from the society, and value time as more precious than gold — these are ideals that one often hears people give speeches about, but very few personify them and ma’am, you live them every day. Your excitement and enthusiasm is infectious — even through a television screen!
These days the word philanthropist is often attached to people. But, nowhere does it seem to fit more aptly than in your case. People often talk about power dressing and dressing to impress. It was for the first time that I heard someone talk about dressing to comfort, to make the other person feel at home! In hindsight, it seems like such an obvious thing to do, but as they say — common sense is rarely common.
Your books have been inspiring our students for years now, as has your personality. As we celebrated your birthday in school this year, many of our students (and few of our teachers too) were surprised to find out that you are the Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation! How could someone so accomplished in life be so humble, so down to earth, indeed so relatable! Your appearance, your work, and your stories — they all seem to be bathed in simplicity and rooted in honesty, which is why they touch everyone’s hearts.
Thank you for being such an inspiration, madam.
