I was born in 1970 into a loving family. Both my mother and father were educated at Maharaja Sayajirao University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country. My grandparents were also educated and spoke even better English than I do now.
I had one brother and one sister. We studied at the same school and travelled there and back together on the city bus. We had lots of fun at the bus station and on the bus when we were all together. I had a wonderful childhood, playing with my friends every evening. Because of my parents’ good nature, my friends stayed overnight at our home. During exams, we all studied together, which helped us pass.
My mother, who had a Bachelor of Arts degree, used to teach me, my friends and my siblings when we were younger. My father worked in the semi-government sector and supported seven family members, including himself. I grew up, enrolled at the same college where my parents had studied and studied pharmacy.
In the final year of my bachelor’s degree, my father passed away and my mother had to take over as the earning parent in the household. She joined the company where my father had worked. In those days, widows were given the opportunity to work at their late husbands’ companies to support their families. On her own, my mother raised me and my two siblings, made us self-sufficient and saved enough money for all three of us to get married.
I got married while working as a junior officer to gain work experience. I married an engineer who is kind, understanding, hardworking and emotionally strong. His job was far from our hometown, so we met once a week when he came home at weekends. I took responsibility for my in-laws and my two children while my husband was away for work. We went through many struggles, both financial and within the family.
I have now been working at the same company for almost 30 years. My children have grown into wonderful, mature adults who help me with day-to-day things. My husband still comes home every weekend, and we enjoy the moments we have together as a family.