He always hated being called ” bacccha “!!.Whenever , we would go anywhere , and i wanted to tease oe ruffle his feathers , i would bring in the wor “bacchaa”. It would happen very often in restaurants !! I would order something and look at the waiter and say ” aur bachaaein se pooch lo kya khanaa hai usko”. He woulld grit his teeth and say ” Dad .!! Dad!” . He never felt comfortable being addressed as a “bachaa “.
On the 9th of June when i got up , i realized that it was his graduation day. I also realized that it had been ages since i had addressed him as a “bachaa”. I also vowed , that i would no longer call him so ,since he felt uncomfortable with the title , and that legitimately he was going to occupy his place as a man in the world of human beings..We were going to the Toronto University to see him accept the crown of a “man “.!!
It was a busy morning .We got up early and left our apartment at 8 am .We wanted to be amongst the first to be able to get the front rows – after all the graduation day of your only child comes once in a lifetime . When we reached , there was already a small queue .We managed to get the seats in the 3rd row .It was fine.We were right up there . .Soon the Convocation Hall had started to swell up, and finally it was packed .
And then the graduates walked into the Hall .People started clapping .Everyone was looking for their ward .We also looked for Pratique .We finally found him as he made his way to this allotted seat.
The ceremony itself is formal .The members of the Senate walk into the Hall and everyone rises .The Chancellor and the President occupy the prominent seats on the dias .
There were speeches – each one of high quality .I was particularly impressed by a speech by Pratiques Director – Stephen Toope .Stephen Toope is taking over as the Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University . He is a alumni of Harvard and McGill University .He is a brilliant man and speaks brilliantly .
Then they announced the name .” Pratique Kain”. It had been decided that Sangeeta would take the photographs , while i would record the video !!.He walked up .We stood up and we applauded !. He shook hands with the the distinguished members on the dias .There were thunderous claps and applause .What happened to me is indescribable. I dont even want to try putting it on paper !
Once the Convocation was over – , we gathered on the lawns with the other parents .Lots of cameras were clicking !! Lots of emotions were spilling over .
We were invited to the Munk School for cocktails and lunch .The crowd was very classy – you may be able to gauge that from the photos on my facebook page .We were able to talk to Stephen Toope – a very fine and humble man .He had been to Jaipur and that too in the month of May when Jaipur was sizzling .He made sure he told us that !!
We ended our day with dinner at a pub – Duke of York !!
Pratique pulled out his credit card and paid up .The man , had finally become arrived !!
