I just got back from a vacation in Sikkim, Northeast India. The mountains, snow, and the people who look very different from us down here in the South taught me many humbling lessons. But what stood out most to me was how it reminded me of the magician in my life. The entire trip, we were in different cars with different drivers and each time when I first conversed with them, their question invariably was – ‘(in Hindi) You’re from Chennai? Then how are you so fluent in Hindi?’

While the statement is biased, it’s also somewhat true that in the South we are taught to read and write Hindi pretty well, but conversational Hindi is a bit tough to master considering that not a lot of people speak the language. The statement reminded me of my school days, to a memory that remains vibrant in my mind.

Until 5th grade, I was very average in Hindi. It was an alien language because none of my folks spoke it, nor did I have people around me who did. I was failing miserably.

One fine day, my school brought in Mrs. Jyothy. Our new Hindi teacher, from Ahmedabad. Her first rule made me cry, her dictation made me cry harder – we were allowed to speak only in Hindi during her class, and the teaching was always dictated, and we had to write to her speed of delivery. I was devastated and felt like an absolute loser.

Few days went on in misery but just like that, very unceremoniously, without even my own knowledge, my Hindi got better. I could write faster, understand better and start conversations. I scored remarkably well in my 10th boards, in Hindi. I wondered what magic that was. Years later, when people ask me about my Hindi, I am reminded that it wasn’t some magic that pushed me hard beyond my limiting boundaries, it was my magician. My teacher. I never thanked her for it because I didn’t know it then. I don’t even think she expected gratitude. I wish I can someday tell her about the dramatic effect she has had in showing me that real growth is always outside of one’s comfort zone. #MyMagician #thankyou

Have you taken a pause to acknowledge your magicians?

Can you be a magician for someone today?