Before I get on to that part, I must share something very crucial. An incident took place in June at one of the schools where we went for admission. Dad and I visited the school in the heart of Chennai. We asked permission to meet the principal and were ushered into her office. She was a stern-looking woman in her 40’s or 50’s – wasn’t able to guess! She had this ‘no-nonsense’ look on her face and no smile! Daddy wished her and explained why we were there. She heard him out and then just asked him curtly, “Where is the result sheet? I need to know how good your daughter is at academics.”

We exchanged glances and then dad told her that we didn’t have the result as it would be released in August. She was quite irritated by now and almost yelled at daddy. She was astonished that we had expected to get a seat without the result of the previous grade. It was still okay and I nudged dad to say that we should leave. Dad tried one last time to convince her that his child(myself) would prove an asset to her school and excel in academics. She was not impressed. Her next statement was a shocker! She remarked sarcastically, “Why should we give preference to you North Indians? I may as well admit students who are South Indians. We know what Mumbai city is all about. Girls are very forward in their ways and hence we cannot give your daughter admission here. You may leave.” How could anyone think of such discrimination?

That was it! It was as if the ground had slipped beneath our feet! We mustered our wits and walked out of her office and the school gate. I was sure now that there was no way that I would live there. I was going to tell dad to send me back to Mumbai asap(this phrase did not exist then).