In the tapestry of my life, my sister's story wove a brilliant and emotional thread that shimmered with the radiance of her achievements. It had always been about her, right from our childhood. From the earliest moments, I had heard tales of how my sister had made everyone around her proud. She was the embodiment of an ideal student, daughter, and sister. Eight years my senior, she was a prodigy in every sense of the word.
Let me paint a picture of her for you. She was tall, fair, and beautiful, with a steely resolve that shone through her smart, headstrong personality. Engaging in a conversation with her was no easy feat. She effortlessly dominated her academics, consistently ranking as the district topper in both science and math until her 12th grade. She pursued her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in engineering, earning recognition as one of the three Indians selected for a prestigious fellowship at Alabama University in the USA. But she didn't stop there.
Her academic journey continued with a Ph.D. in Aerospace from the renowned IIST in India, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship at IISC. However, amidst her academic triumphs, she navigated a parallel life filled with its own challenges, trials, and triumphs.
Let's rewind the clock and break her life into a timeline. But please indulge me as I weave in some assumptions, for this story is my perspective, cherished deep within my heart. She is my beacon of inspiration, someone I look up to for everything she has achieved and continues to accomplish.
For three decades, she maintained a consistent pursuit of academic excellence, as if it were a daily ritual. You might wonder about her personal life. This is where I implore you to pay close attention, for hers was not a life of unearned fortune. She faced hardships, but she fought valiantly to make things right. At the tender age of 24, as she embarked on her Ph.D. journey, she also embarked on the path to marriage. This chapter of her life wasn't smooth, with numerous challenges to overcome. Yet, together, she and her partner weathered the storms, continuously working to support and uplift each other.
Does she believe in love? Undoubtedly. Her truest source of comfort is my mother, but her son, my dear Kannan, personifies love in her life. He brought immeasurable beauty into her world and became her guiding light.
At the age of 33, she faced a harrowing diagnosis of Lymphoma, casting our entire family into a shadowy abyss. But we stood resolute, forging an unbreakable bond as we fought, cried, prayed, stumbled, and persevered together. During this challenging journey, I gleaned invaluable lessons I feel compelled to share:
- Life is ephemeral, and we know not when it will end. Pursue what brings you happiness and fulfillment.
- Understand the world around you, but never forget to understand yourself and protect your loved ones at all costs.
- Surround yourself with those who accept you for who you are. Spend less time conforming to others' expectations.
- Love yourself, care for your body, explore the world, protect your dignity, and savor the beauty of life between birth and death.
- Offer guidance only when asked, and fear not speaking your truth while respecting your values.
- Some events in life are beyond our control, and the universe operates by its own mysterious rules.
- Belief in something greater than ourselves can provide strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Returning to her journey, my sister endured a year of grueling chemotherapy sessions, with hospitals becoming her unwelcome second home. Needles punctuated her days, and her physical strength waned. But her indomitable spirit and radiant smile persisted. She drew strength from within and relied on the unwavering support of her loved ones.
She fought with unparalleled determination, and in the 12th month of her diagnosis, a miraculous pet scan opened the door to a semblance of normalcy. She took her time to heal, replenishing her body and soul with newfound realizations and experiences. With her son Vasu by her side, she returned to us and embraced life once more.
During this period, she received news of her appointment as a professor of Aerospace at IIST, an achievement she had pursued even during her sixth chemotherapy session and a week before her second biopsy. It was a dark time for our family, but her resilience shone through.
Later, she was recognized for her contributions to the Chandrayaan 3 satellite launch mission, a project she had worked on even during her battle with cancer. What an extraordinary woman she is! I am grateful to have her as my sister, though I had never wished to see her endure tears and mysteries. Now, she has emerged as one of the strongest people I know, second only to our mother.
One profound lesson I would like to leave you with is this: When you've stared death in the face and emerged victorious, not even death can intimidate you anymore.
To my adorable and most beautiful sister Dr. Parvathi (Paroooo)
-Love
Ammu
