Started to Live :-)

It was a great experience and most fulfilling for me. I was invited to speak at Pavai Engineering College at Salem, Tamilnadu. It was an inaugural fuction of a department's association. I prepared few topics that are bit technical (Linux and Open Source). I wanted to revolve around the concept of Open Source Software and how the students can build their career using Open Source Software. There were quite a few thoughts came to my mind. Another topic was in Linux - Basics. So, I was all set for the function thinking that I would speak to the students on these areas.

Two days before the function, I was told that I needed to give an inaugural speech. Though I didn't feel that I was competent to be a chief guest, I didn't want to turn down as it might spoil the entire game. I was sitting with other dignitaries. Except me, all were highly accomplished in their careers and served for the society which was equivalent to my age. I was moved by their presence and their very presence motivated me. I felt that it was my responsibility to pay back the students with due respect and so I decided to devote my entire day with them.

After few speeches (Welcome address, oath and address be Chairman of the college), I was invited to speak. When I was about to start, I could see the entire conference hall was full of students and I could see sparkles in everyone's eyes. The students were hoping to get something from me, since I was from IT industry and they thought I knew more (which is not true). I didn't want to give a monotonous talk but thought I could touchbase with the students. I wanted to hear from them what they wanted from me. For the next 2-4 minutes, the room was in a pin drop silent and with little bit of motivation few voiced their thoughts. Being from rural background many of the students were so closed and even if they were willing to open, they were mouth-tied. On a contrary, I was talking like a guy with oral diarrhoea.

All the dignitaries were helping students to open up and I triggered a question "What do you think you can't do?" There came an intelligent reply from a boy, "I can do anything". My question was "Can you give birth a baby?". The answer was obvious. Slowly and gradually nearly 10 percent of the gathering open their voice and told they can do this, they can do that. Then we discussed about IT industry, the future (why they get job?) and what it takes to come to IT. The first leg of the function got over with a small mind game.

The second half started with a workshop and various technical topics so that they could pursue their areas of interest along with their classmates. We formed 8-10 groups containing 8-10 students in each group. The students talked about various technologies. I really liked and learned a lot from this activity and this activity ran for 2 hours and then we parted for lunch. The post lunch session was on Linux Architecture and actually the prepared one. I covered 4 slides in 90 minutes and stopped the presentation as many students were very new to operating systems.

During my inbound journey back to Chennai, I thought about the differences in India even among the students who are doing PG courses in Software Engineering and Information Technology. The exposure that the village students have is very little. We, the so-called Tech Leads, Architects and everyone working in IT, have the social responsibility. I am not here to preach and ask you do. I feel, serving for the country is very personal thing and no one asked M.K Gandhi to become Mahatma and no one asked Dr Kalam to become lifelong teacher. I wish to follow their footsteps. May God bless India Next Generation.

Overall, after the event, I felt that I started to live and there is a meaning for my existence.