While this might sound like Julia & Julia, it actually has a deeper connect.
Sukrutha Mahendra, 80 yrs and Sukrutha Deshpande 22 yrs ...... the younger Sukrutha actually named after the first.
It's one more really uplifting Smile Foundation story, one that seemingly started way before even Smile Foundation did.
Let me tell the story.... in-between this Sukrutha and that Sukrutha, is Kavitha
Flash back around 40 years: .Mom was working in Andhra Mahila Sabha, and Kavitha was daughter of mom's maid. Kavitha would occasionally help out her mother at our house. I recall Kavitha, a skinny, but gutsy, fast and super efficient girl. The speed with which she spoke, or walked or swept would be noticed. In fact the speed with which she did the dishes would baffle us. She was a power.
She had dreams of joining the Police Force, as constable. We all felt she'd so fit the role. Sadly, circumstances at her home, (she was one of many daughters) the difficulties they came upon when her father got paralysed, impacted her studies, and she couldn't clear her 10th class. She missed by one subject. No encouragement from us could get her to try again. It broke her, and her dreams evaporated.
She gave up, got married and became a full time maid. When she had her first daughter, she named her after my mom.
That's the Sukrutha and Sukrutha.
Likely she'd shifted her dreams and aspirations to her daughter. A strong independent woman is what she saw in my mom, I guess.
Fast forward many years: Sukrutha was in school, Kavitha wanted her to go to a school that taught English, and that's where she connected back to us, to Smile Foundation. Sukrutha would come all the way from Kachiguda to Srinagar Colony, changing three buses, along with her father to collect fees from Smile Foundation. We saw her grow from a gawky and shy school going girl to a young and confident college going student. We could see Kavitha's genes in her.
Fast Forward to now: Yesterday morning I get a message
"Hi Di (short for didi), this is Sukrutha. I have good news. I got a job in ICICI". ( she went and met mom personally with the good news)
Sukrutha Deshpande, huge Congratulations, so so proud of you !!
Kavita: Kai bolu re......bahut bahuth badayee...deeper Congratulations to you....a dream that took a long time coming, but came true so beautifully. Very happy for you. Will come and give you a personal hug soon.
And Ma....so happy to have been on this journey with you.
It was phenomenal Di, thank you so much for describing my mother as a powerful woman. I'm so happy :) :):)
ReplyDeleteSukrutha, for all your commitment and effort you fully deserve to be 'so happy'. And yes, you must be as proud of your mother, as she must be of you. Enjoy the feeling... you've earned it !
DeleteThis is made me so happy that my friend mom is a super woman and her daughter cmplted her dreams😍😍❤👌👌 God bless u tum apne sare dreams pure kro
ReplyDeleteHi, your words touched me deep inside. Thanks so much.
DeleteI'm happy Sukrutha has such a wonderful friend. And may your dreams also surely come true sweetie.
Most of us have wonderful stories but rarely do we get a story teller like you Smitha. All of us under the sun who have been touched by you are so glad that we have you with us. Our bard, our storyteller, chronicler of our beautiful real life stories. Thank you God for bringing you into our lives and bless you. 🌹
ReplyDeleteGirija, to say my usual 'touched me deep' seems just not enough,as it did that and more. Felt that inner smile and a gladness, and inspiration and motivation...and more. Thanks for being such a dear friend. Hugs and Love.
ReplyDelete