The year was 2004. I scored quite well in my 12th boards and had gained admission in a prestigious institution in Coimbatore. My father got the student loan process initiated at his bank. And for very unclear reasons, the bank was unwilling to sanction the loan. Perhaps because the hoity toity bank manager perceived my dad to be a small businessman who had barely completed middle school and spoke broken English. We’ll never know what the real reason was. Anyhow, my father took me to the bank with my mark sheets and amicably asked him to reconsider, he didn’t. I was sad but I knew we’d figure out another way. A week later, the Manager called and asked us to meet him. And this time around, I was in shock.
 
As soon as we entered the bank, everybody who was an ‘officer’ there stood up in respect, welcomed my dad and took us to the Manager’s room. The Manager was extra friendly with my dad and took him outside to meet someone. I was there in the Manager’s room simply looking around and my eyes fell on the letter in front of me. It was addressed to the Bank Manager, from the then Finance Minister. It referred to me and my dad and carried an ultimatum that if my educational loan wasn’t sanctioned at the earliest, severe action will be taken against the branch. I didn’t know how to react.
 
Turns out, after our earlier ‘unfavourable’ meeting, my dad wasted no time. He sought help and wrote to the finance minister. And a week later the tables just simply turned. I was happy yes, but also felt this unexplainable sense of pride for this man who ran a small business, who had barely completed middle school and spoke in broken english. The way he didn’t waste time haggling, instead aimed for where it really mattered and took a shot, and won – was. unbelievable. I could see the fear/respect (we’ll never know which) the people in the branch had for us that day. And that is why my father will always be my lamp. He showed me that when the going gets tough, the toughest get going, and it was my life’s first and biggest lesson.

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