The best weapon for a child is education.

 

The best weapon for a child is education.

After successfully securing admission for my son in one of the top colleges of NIFT Bhubaneswar, I breathed a sigh of relief. Despite facing protests from my family members, I felt that I had done my best to provide my son with a quality education. It was difficult to endure the separation, but I knew it was for a good cause.

A few days later, my father visited me for two days and was noticeably unhappy not to find his grandson, Raghu, at home. Raghu was his favorite, so my father was quite worried. I tried to calm him down and explained that Raghu had chosen to study fashion communication at NIFT and had successfully made it into one of the best colleges.

My father then inquired about the fees I had paid and the cost of living there. I informed him that I had taken a loan to cover the expenses. There was a deep silence, followed by an outburst. My father questioned my decision, wondering why I was spending so much money on one son and why I hadn’t saved for my other child. He called me immature and criticized my choices.

I reminded him that I had learned the importance of education from him. I recounted how he had secured my admission in the renowned and expensive Christu Kula Mission School, despite opposition from my grandparents, mother, and relatives. He had faced emotional challenges and financial constraints but had remained resolute in his decision. He had sacrificed his own comforts, even selling his bike and adopting a simple dress code, to ensure we received a good education.

My father’s unwavering dedication and sacrifices to provide us with a quality education made him an admirable and unique father. As I grew older and became a mother myself, I began to truly appreciate his sacrifices. I shared with him that I had learned from his example and that education was indeed the best gift we could give to our children.

Overwhelmed by my words, my father teared up and asked if I genuinely believed he had done something good for me. I smiled, squeezed his hand, and reassured him that he had gone above and beyond to make my life beautiful, and I was striving to do the same for my children. I had learned from my beloved father that education is the most valuable gift we can provide to our children.