Certain values and learnings simply stand etched in our hearts through childhood memories. One core learning which I follow till date is to “Persist undeterred, despite ridicule”. I feel this is an important learning for Gen Z and now, Gen Alpha, where children fall into the traps of peer pressure, constant compulsion to perform and herd mentality.

I was in my 7th standard. My parents had bought me a HERO cycle, usually designed and advertised for boys. I was tall for my age and the usual LADYBIRD which was sold to little girls, was too small for me. In school, I had to park in the boys’ side of the parking lot (even if I didn’t, the cleaning staff would do so, assuming some boy had parked it in the wrong side). I used to stay late till all the boys left, to pick my cycle and go home, in an attempt to save myself from comments and embarrassment. Our late PT master, Thangavelu sir always had a knack of finding out if a kid has a problem. He understood my predicament and told me “Kanna, nee school kulla cycle ah boys side vechalum girls side vechalum, road la needhane ottanum, appo enna pannuva?” (Darling, whether you park on the ‘boys side’ or the’ girls side’ inside the school, ultimately aren’t you the one who has to ride the cycle on the road?) The next day onwards I never bothered to even look if someone was watching me. I held my head high and was on my way to class, parking my cycle on the girls’ side, smiling at my PT sir.

This incident inspired me to not bother about obstacles and discouragement. I learnt to push aside unnecessary ridicule and comments from anyone and continue confidently on my own path. No one knows what the other person is going through.

Let’s spread kindness.