My sojourns in the west wants me to refer “June-September” time frame as “Summer”, though my current location refers
to it as “Monsoon”. Nevertheless, a
lot of things happened this summer making it a memorable one in a long time.
When I look back at the summers from my school days I am reminded
of Math and specifically algebra lessons. 30 years later, I saw an uncanny
resemblance between my present and past. It inspired me to look beyond my
immediate life and expand my vision and boundaries.
I cycled with a gentleman twice my age who regularly cycles 50 kms every day and on my return
flight from Dubai I sat beside a youngster half my age who spent his summer
teaching English to Syrian refugee children in Egypt.
So, my 2018 Summer = Y/2
+ 2Z.
Can the emotions and inspiration be summarized by a mere
algebra equation?
Equation 1: When
I registered for the 40km timed cycling event organized by NEB spots, I thought
it was just a time and distance relationship. But seldom did I realize I was going
to meet some inspiring cyclists along the journey.
I was among the first batch cyclist who were able to convert
their enthusiasm into pedal power without much transmission loss. Because of
which I left behind a friend who came along with me for the event within in the
first 500m. Though my intention was not to leave behind people, but the timed
event reminded me of the proverb “time and tide wait for none”. Nevertheless, along
the way I kept cheering my fellow cyclists and many youngsters who were exploring
long distance cycling for the first time. And most of them were half my age
that inspired me to develop another algebra equation.
So, If X is my age, then X = 2Z.
As I was starting my second lap I noticed an elderly
gentleman on the other side of the track steadily pedaling towards the U-turn
point. He wasn’t panting or puffing but wore a pleasant smile and made cameras and
tongues go gaga over his enthusiasm and energy.
When I enquired about this elderly papa who turned cameras
and onlookers into paparazzies my fellow cyclist told me he was an octogenarian
and regularly participated at marathons and cycling events. Wow! This is
someone who I want to meet and wannabe when I get to 80. He finished 40 kms 7
mins after me and I waited at the finish line to welcome him with a hug and cheer.
X = Y/2 (age)
X finishes 40 kms in 120
mins
Y finishes 40 kms in
127 mins
As soon as I shook hands with Mr. Bylahalli Raghunath
Janardan, I confessed my admiration for him and enquired about the secret aphrodisiac
he was taking. I quickly convinced one of those paparazzies to click a picture
of us that I can use to remind me of my fitness goal.
Read his interview that appeared in the Deccan
Chronicle from two years ago where he says his aim is to cycle the distance
between moon and earth in his lifetime. By now he must have achieved that goal
of 384,400 km.
Readers, Mr. Janardan picked up cycling at the age of 63 and
covered 1900 kms every month. So, it is not late for you to get on the wheels
and set your ambition.
Equation 2: We
rarely get interesting co-passengers on long-haul flights. Most of the time
fellow passengers either fall asleep or plug in their headsets to binge-watch airline
entertainment as they get fed at their seats. This was the case during my first
leg of the journey from San Francisco to Dubai. But on the second leg from
Dubai to Bengaluru, I was on the aisle seat and I traveled next to a youngster
returning from Egypt seated next to the window. He flashed a smile that said I’m
ready to start a conversation, how about you? Our conversation revealed that he
was not one of those selfie obsessed or binge-watching youngsters. And he wasn’t
returning from a vacation in Egypt but returning back from a teaching internship.
Wow!
I couldn’t mute the journalist in me and I fired question
after question to understand the drive, purpose and determination behind this 21-year
old.
Z= X/2
During the 3-hour flight, he reflected on the learnings,
experiences and choked recollecting the last day at the camp site with the
children. At his age, I boarded the aircraft to pursue my MS in the US and
never thought about a teaching internship in Africa or elsewhere. I am sure
this experience will go a long way in making Abhishek a Superman.
We are on the last day of September and here in Chennai it
still feels like summer. And a fortnight ago, I grew a year older inspired by
these two gentlemen.
So, now let’s test your algebra skills. From the two equations, can you guess my
age?
