I am Mridula Chirmule

I walk down the memory lane

Every now and then...

I feel I am Mridula Chirmule

When I wear a sari and tie my curls in a ponytail

When I drive my scooter wearing a sari

When I wrap the pallu of my sari on my left hand while driving the scooter

And I drive away in dignity with a straight posture and firm expressions, but with a smile

I feel I am Mridula Chirmule

When I say "I don't like dishonesty, I don't tolerate indiscipline",

Specially, to my juniors

Yet, mentor them with affection

And they warm up to me in return

I feel I am Mridula Chirmule

When I don't care about my career progression

But do not compromise with my work

When I put my foot down firmly on what I believe

No matter what people say, workaholic, level headed, upfront, overreacting...

I feel I am Mridula Chirmule

My Mridula Chirmule is a beacon to me

And I look upto her any time and always

I am fortunate for sure, for I have her

Because God smiled on me

And I try to emulate myself to that beacon's persona

This I say with a glee not visible evidently

But with a sparkle of immense satisfaction in my heart

[14 September 2020: Teachers Day passed and Mother's Day passed. Every year they come and go. This is an ode to Ms. Mridula Chirmule, more of a mother figure, a teacher and a friend to me and less of a boss to me. Technically, she was my teacher and my first boss when I entered this wonderful profession of librarianship at India's premiere research organization, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.]

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