Goa to Growth

This article won the Writing Contest organized by NTT DATA.

I am uncertian who in the world likes me,  but I do know one thing for sure – the fate has a serious crush on me, constantly throwing in unexpected twists, connections, experiences, and opportunities in my life. (It's like the universe's way of saying, "evolo adichalum thanguran, iva romba Nalava da...")

One such connection between Goa and my journey with NTT DATA have made an impact and transformed my life.

It all began during a much-anticipated family trip to Goa, a needed escape after the dark cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I soaked up in the warm embrace of the sun and relished the joy of being with my loved ones, a call from HR brought the news of my eagerly awaited offer letter. Fate had a funny way of aligning the stars, as my joining date happened to fall on the infamous 13th of June. Superstitions surrounding the number thirteen danced in my mind, but I couldn't resist the synchronicity of the situation. Despite my playful plea to change the joining date, it remained unchanged. And so, my journey with NTT DATA began on 13th June.

I embarked with a new project, presenting a myriad of challenges, and learning opportunities. Bullets of adversity seemed to rain down from every direction, testing the limits of my resilience and determination. Yet, I pressed on, surviving, and surpassing each trial. Through this journey, I realized that every struggle was moulding me into a stronger, more capable version of myself.

Day after day, I embraced the exhilarating dance of growth and evolution. I discovered that there is no such thing as an ordinary day. Every single day is a chance to learn, adapt, and thrive. This realization transformed my perspective, infusing a renewed sense of purpose into my work and personal life.

And did I mention about the connection between Goa and NTT DATA? Well, it lies in the journey itself—just as Goa surprises with an exquisite beaches and vibrant nightlife, my journey with NTT DATA has been filled with unforeseen twists and late-night coding sessions fuelled by countless cups of chai, innovative ideas that blossom amidst collaboration with talented colleagues, and the triumph of overcoming challenging goals—all these moments have contributed to the journey of my enthralling experience.

And yes, just like a sun kissed Goan sunset, we always emerge stronger, innovative, and ready to conquer the countless adventures that still lie ahead.

The Joyful Bond and Harmony of Siblings

Younger Child: "You are a trial and test piece."

Elder Child: "You have been rescued from the garbage"

Growing up as the firstborn, it's natural for the older sibling to feel a tinge of envy as the attention shifts entirely to the younger one upon their grand entrance into the world.

"Share your toys," they say.

"Compromise for your siblings," they advise.

And the highlight – you get scolded and beaten even when your sibling is the one pulling off the greatest mischief! It's like a Vedic mantra at your home: "Because you are the elder one!"

Then life rolls on. As an elder sibling, you start earning, and suddenly the family responsibilities decide to set up camp on your shoulders. If you are a girl, restrictions on dress-code take a permanent station at your doorstep. But then your sister gets the golden ticket for all things mini skirts, t-shirts, sleeveless and jeans because these are normal in colleges now.

Ah, fish with this technology! Back in the day, you say you had your marriage album in a DVD copy, and the struggle to view albums was like waiting for a snail to finish a marathon. You had to rent a DVD player, and the anticipation felt like waiting for the season finale of your favorite show.

Now, enter younger sister, the tech wizard. She's got a photographer on speed dial, the photographer shares instantly through some mystical "Shareitapp," and poof! It's on WhatsApp faster than you can say "generation gap." It's like elders' lived in the era of dial-up internet while younger's in rocking 5G speeds.

But, hold on a minute – let's talk about the silent battles of the Younger child, you may say –"the pampering baby of the family" – but wait, let me tell the unspoken pain that accompanies being the last in the sibling chain.

Firstly, let's address the real fashion stuff: the sleeveless and jeans. We might have one or two dresses of ours, but wait – our wardrobe is filled with your used dresses, and mom may say "vintage" fashion is back. So, we have always been a recycling machine.

Let me pen down another bitter truth. When you, my dear elder sibling, got into marriage and parenthood, I wholeheartedly embraced the role of the playful aunt or uncle to your little ones. Oh, the laughter, the games, the elephant ride, circus drama, sleepless night stories with you kids.

But as I stepped onto the path of marriage and have a child of my own, I search for an aunt to play with my kid. But hey, my dear elder sibling, you are entangled in the web of family commitments. So here we are, my child and I, navigating and playing alone.

You not only took our parents' energy but also that "aha, the first grandchild of our family" moment. As a result, our parents, fatigued from taking care of my childeren, unintentionally leave us feeling isolated. Amid the chaos, we ache for companionship.

Well, I can forgive the sibling chaos, tolerate the borrowed clothes, and even endure the epic battles for the TV remote, but when relatives and neighbors pop up, asking, "Is XXX (uses elder child name) mom there?" – hold on a minute! Why don't they ever ask, "Is YYY (Younger child name mom there?" Am I just some creature in the family jungle?

Hey, our mom has a name! Her name is not some top-secret information to be hidden. Why dont they address with her name? Can I also get a little recognition for just being the last kid?

Certainly, thanks for the journey. Whether as the younger or elder child, both of us encountered lessons uniquely, where we had to summon strength and confront battles differenlty, regardless of their nature. We've faced challenges head-on, and our resilience certainly deserves recognition.