We are back with the second part of Madhu Priya’s story, Crossing Lines of Social Status. So do read this inspiring story. If you haven’t read the first part, we suggest you go back and read it first; otherwise, you won’t understand the story. Let’s continue listening to the story.
Madhu Priya – My Story
As a kid, I always used to ponder these things because my mother never came to school as long as necessary. Even at the parents-teacher meeting, she used to turn up late. She never attended my school functions, and she kept her identity hidden from everyone.
In class, my classmates would narrate the stories of their exotic vacations, and I’d listen silently because I didn’t have any stories to tell. We never went on family vacations as my parents couldn’t afford to close the shop. One of them had to stay back even if we would attend a family function or marriage. Usually, my father would stay, and three of us would participate in the function. My parents had utterly given up on their lives. They stopped living at all.
Surprisingly, I had no clue about it. I was too young to comprehend their circumstances. But I did understand when one of my best friends told me that she could not be friends with me because her father disapproved of our friendship because my parents sell vegetables on the street. I felt humiliated because she framed her words with so much disdain. I couldn’t face it. I had faced it before too, but this time it was different because it pinched me so hard that I couldn’t stand my ground.
To avoid this feeling, I began to skip school frequently. I’d take up a leave without any reason to stay back at my house. My sadness was visible on my face. For a while, I slipped into depression. Things reached so far when I decided not to attend school for the last three months. My mother doubted my condition, and I couldn’t keep it away when she asked me. Her reaction was sad but not surprising.
She said, ‘I always knew it would happen because that’s how people behave with lower-middle-class families. That’s why I avoided coming to your school and meeting your friends. That’s why your father would wait outside whenever he visited your school. He wears traditional attire (dhoti), so people would judge him. We didn’t want you to get embarrassed in front of your friends. But don’t take these things on your heart. Work hard to change your reality. You are beyond your social status, and you have to prove it to them. So don’t lose hope and fight back to accomplish your goal.’
Her words changed my perspective and filled my heart with a new energy that still bursts through my veins. That day, I thanked God for giving me such great parents. I realized that they are my true wealth, and I should flaunt them, not a piece of paper.
I cleared high school and enrolled in college to pursue graduation in English. This time, I studied hard because I wanted to prove that I was beyond my class. Money doesn’t define me, but talent does.
My results came, and my hard work paid off as I was in the top 3 among 50 girls in college. Then I continued to be a topper in college for three consecutive years. It was a wake-up call to prove myself, and I was ready to put enough effort into my studies. I went for the master’s degree in which I achieved 7th rank in class.
My college life was less challenging. However, our financial circle was still the same. We followed the exact routine. My mother was constantly trying to hide my actual identity, and she didn’t wish to display our financial background.
In college, people were ordinary, not as wealthy as my school friends. I had friends who loved my company and made me feel comfortable. Even the fees and other expenses were average too. Nothing my parents can’t afford. So it passed smoothly. However, my sister was studying engineering, so we were still in debt.
After education, I wanted to become an English professor, so I volunteered to teach in a government school. It wasn’t a paid job but something I loved doing. Then I started working as an HR with a corporation called Murugappa group. It was a new and different experience for me.
I was working with a team while sitting in an AC room that was well furnished. The job offered financial security, and people respected my job. I was their employee until a few years ago. I couldn’t continue due to my pregnancy. Now, I have moved to the IT sector, and the company is based in the US.
Recently, I’ve purchased a car and rented a home near my parents’ house so I can look after them. Still, they are in the same profession, but they feel proud when they see their daughters growing and living a respectful life.
People believe that wealth and prosperity are true blessings, but it is my parents in my case. They have sacrificed their life for me, and I truly respect them for it. I want to give them the entire world and shower love, and I’m proud to have such parents. Destiny, the God, couldn’t have given me anything better than this.
Finally, I want to tell everyone, ‘Look at the person for who they are. Don’t judge them based on their social status, class, race, or religion. It doesn’t matter where they are coming from. What matters the most is what they can do, how they see life, how they treat others, and what they think. So don’t believe in these baseless judgments. Be a good human being and learn to accept others.’
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