Father & Son : A letter.

I wrote a letter to my father. No, more of a note, really. He commented on the paper at various places with his bit in the end. I liked it and thought it was worthy enough of being here. The Italic part is what my dad wrote, the rest is mine.


You asked a plan of me for what I would like to do with the next two and final years of my schooling.

Here is a brief overview of what I have thought.

You’ve taught me to make my decisions and then live with them. You have also said that the best thing you could give out is your advice. That advice is what I want on the following plans I’ve made.
Great pitch! You have me listening.

I today resigned from the football, hockey and athletics teams in school. I have told the Captain’s of the respective sports and the sports in-charge that I shall not let sports compromise with my studies. I am telling this useless fact to you as I suspect that you shall muse that I weakly might have blamed it on my parents not allowing.
I’d say a great move. You need to believe too.

I have studied enough till tonight to get a 25% scholarship for the Institutes entrance exam to be held on Sunday, In the 3 days I have, I believe that I’ll be able to make it to the 40% rung. I concede that 50% or 60% would be beyond me looking at my previous exam results and the short span of time given to me to prepare.
So! You believe……now prove
I do not want to give this exam, though. I would like to sit for the SAT I and SAT II examinations this year. I know that you’d want a reason for me making this move.
Right! Just do it. Choose later.
If I join the Institute this year it will be mentally and physically impossible for me to cope with school work, the studies at the institute and prepare for the SAT.
Don’t feel weak or undermine yourself. You have the strength if you have the will. Others do it & you are better than others! Believe it and do it!
I would reach home at 3pm and will have to be at the classes between 4pm and 9pm, 4 days a week. It is important for me to get a good score in the SAT as the score is taken in consideration for the admission and scholarship. If I give this exam while preparing for the PMT and the school work I will not be able to get a worthwhile score. This would mean that my preparation for the SAT would be fruitless and it at the same time would compromise with my other studies.
I would rather join the one year program next year.

Of all the blogs and sites I have browsed through, all ex-PMT examinees claim that the course is 50% of the year 11 NCERT book. This would make it necessary for me to understand, perform and not take studies lightly this year.
Sites & Blogs from those on a weak wicket. Not those who’ve made it.
If I were to join the Institute this year, then my tuitions for the subjects would be there only. Having attended group tuition earlier I know for a fact that a private home tutor is a much better option. This is because it is easier to pose questions without the risk of embarrassment, understand well and have the teacher’s undivided attention. Considering all these facts, I have aimed for a minimum 65% result in all school examinations.
Agreed! But get over embarrassment; learn from other students besides one sole tutor.

The plan:
• Sit for the SATs this year.
• 65% in school examinations at the least.
• A minimum 40% scholarship for the institute next year.


Doubts will always be an enemy. Rise above known strengths, above perceived limitations, above commonly stood for understandings.
You’ve followed Superman, Lord of the Rings, that My Chemical Romance boy! Not just nonsensical fantasies – where they become more than just an impossible fairy tale or true tale. They are motivators for young minds. They give hope for the impossible.
Aim for the stars, work to attain them, and for sure, you will surpass all others by reaching the moon.
Do not use your weaknesses as an excuse – review them so as to overcome them.

You can! You can study at the Institute and do the SAT. You must see it as an opportunity not as an exercise.
You can learn to be kind and do! Not just be perceived to be.
You can adapt change just so to see if a difference is worth it. Not simply deny.
You can, because you are young and because you have elders who care.
You cannot like me, when you have to care and provide. Your choices and options will only get limited with responsibilities.
So far, your responsibilities are limited to allow you to choose where to excel. Realize and train to broaden your scope, your bandwidth, your stretch – so you can choose. Push hard – yourself – and be proud how high, how far and how deep you can go.
Find, reach and excel your own limitations. Surpass these boundaries you set yourself.

Yes, moments of doubts!
Many moments of wondering your very meaning! All moments towards maturity and personal growth.

I am glad you expressed yourself. A sign of sharing and a willingness to assimilate and learn.

You are my son, you will analyze possible defeats, plan to pre-empt, and act on it – in the process, you will learn you are better than all else! And you may still fail – you will never be comfortable with losing – but you will relish knowing you did the best possible for the moment (and still wonder if you could have pushed yourself more).

Take adversity as a challenge, not as a reason to back out.

P.S. – Your sister respects you! Continue to do what you do.