Welcoming a New Year

I remember being awake on New Year's Eve past midnight with my dad. Some folks would explode firecrackers.
New Year's Day, we would have some sweets as a celebration.

Joining IIT-Madras

In 1978 I graduated from Little Flower Junior College. That I would do well was a foregone conclusion. The main objective was to get into the IITs. I had studied hard for the entrance exam, took the coaching from Little Flower, and did numerous practice questions. I was ranked 524 in the JEE. I could have gone to IITs in the North to do mechanical engineering but decided to stay at IIT Madras and do Chemical Engineering. My father came with me to the interview at IIT Madras where I signed the paperwork. He took me to the bank and opened a checking account for me. We stayed at my Aunt's place in Madras. It was a great time in my childhood. My dad also took me to the CGWB office in Madras where I met Mr. Ram Mohan Rao, who was running that office.
I felt very homesick during my first two months at IIT. I wrote home saying that i wanted to come back. My dad and Usha Iyer convinced me to stay. I came home for Dasserah that year. It was great to see my school friends again.