I consider my life’s journey to be very worthy and fruitful as far as my career is concerned. My
personal life? I don’t know.
When I was a little girl, I just wanted to be a housewife, look after children, cook, knit and just relax.
I did not want to be a career woman. I was very quiet, introvert. My father – the deciding factor of
my life was very sure that I would be married off like my two older sisters after completing high
school. I too would have been quite happy if that had happened. I just wanted to lead a quiet life.
But my school results brought me to the spotlight and changed everything.. My father agreed to
send me to college and figured that all I would be able to do was perhaps do a quiet job at the bank
where I would not be required to talk much. My father’s best friend, a school principal forced my
father to make sure I would become a doctor. But I was not very happy. I never wanted to become a
doctor – or anything for that matter.
Yes, I loved teaching. When I was in school, I taught my siblings, my neighbors and I started my
teaching career even before my graduation results were out. After teaching for a year in a school, I
decided to do my B.Ed. thus fixing my career path. Then I got married and thought, Okay, I don’t
need to work now. I can be the housewife I wanted to be. But then the entire responsibility of
running our home fell on my shoulders. I was forced to take up a job while my husband pursued his
Masters and struggled at running his dental clinic.
Then we went off to Kuwait. Again, I was happy being the housewife. Was it me? Perhaps! Because
soon I started taking up Math tuitions. I knew I was a good teacher. That period in my life was good.
I was happy running my home, entertaining guests, going to restaurants, picnics, and just teaching
for a couple of hours in the evening. I think that was the happiest period in my life.
But then things changed – we went to UK for my husband’s fellowship. I was forced to leave my
children in India – although the separation lasted for just 3 months I was devastated. My children
suffered, I suffered. I realized how selfish my husband was – he separated my little children from me
because he wanted me to work – to earn – while he studied for his fellowship. I did all kinds of
secretarial jobs all over London, worked in supermarkets, hospitals…I hated it and cried continuously
for being away from my children. I didn’t want to do jobs. I wanted to be home with my children.
That painful period ended and we were all back together in Kuwait. I continued with taking up
tuitions and was happy being at home.
I think it was our (both mine and my husbands ) middle class mentality. No, it was not me – it was
my husband, who thought I should take up a job. We had a full time maid and so he thought it is
better I take up a job. Yes. I am sure, It was not my idea. We went around looking for jobs. I think
somewhere at the back of my mind I had the thought that I too was smart and could take up a job
like this other lady who worked as a Bank Manager. Yes, I too wanted to do a job. I applied for a
Bank job and got selected. But due to my visa status I could not take up that job
Then I took up a secretarial job in a textile company – My boss was the best. He made me feel so
good, so efficient. I really learnt a lot working with him, starting with using the typewriter, then the
telex machine and then the basics of computers. He bought a computer and a whole set of books. I
taught myself to work on all these different softwares and did very good work maintaining the
inventory etc.
Yes, I enjoyed my work there. I must give myself the credit of upgrading my level through constant
hard work and the desire to master all these programs that came up – Word, Lotus 123 etc.
I continued training myself, taking up various courses – cobol programing (in 1980), Database III Plus
etc, when most people had not even seen a computer. Was I proud? Yes. Very.
I think during this period I was happy working – but was I working for myself. No. Perhaps I was
working to impress the people around me, or to have some standing for myself – because I felt – if I
will continue bringing in money, I will be appreciated by my husband, in laws, parents, friends.
Then we came to Dubai. Children grew up and again I was asked to separate from my girls for their
college education. I refused. This time I put my foot down.
But it did not work. Did not last long. I was bitter – finally divorced and came to India with my
daughters. Again I had to fend for myself and my girls. I took up the Montessori course and started
my school – again I had to work.
I think I get it – this whole thing about not wanting to work, but still continuing is what is making me
bitter now.
I feel. I just want to relax – why should I continue working now? I worked enough all my life. Right
from the age of 20 to 68. I still find myself doing something or the other to earn some money.
Perhaps it is my insecurity as far as money is concerned. Do I have enough to survive – I think so.
Present situations
Will it make me happy if my course takes off and I get busy training teachers – a roomful of them, all
busy, learning to be Montessori teachers. Will it make me happy? – Yes.
Will it bring me money – yes . What will I do with the money – I don’t know. Does it make me angry
that I will have worked so hard and then I leave my hard earned money for my thankless daughters –
who are not at all interested in what I do. Perhaps my youngest one does.
Perhaps they all do, but they are caught up in their own situations. They don’t interfere does not
mean they don’t care. Perhaps I should not be bitter towards them.
Another concern for me is living in India. Am I okay here? Yes. But I was very happy living in
Sharjah/Dubai. I do have the thought of going and settling again – running a training centre – but I
am not at a stage in my life where I can begin setting up a home all over again. I think I will continue
living in Bangalore.
Very soon I will be shifting to my own home in Bangalore. I had a flat which I sold off because I was
supposed to settle down in Australia. This was before the Covid. But I have ruled out that option. I
might as well live in Bangalore.
What now – I think I want to make my training course work – work very well. Yes, I want it to work
well. I want to train lots and lots of teachers and Entrepreneurs.
The Montessori schools running now have a huge requirement for teachers.
Teachers working in Montessori schools without being trained will have to continue working and
take up their online course. They will attend a bimonthly offline session in one of the Montessori set
ups with whom I will collaborate.
Educated Housewives with grown up children who are looking for a profitable business startup will
be ideal for the MSE (Montessori school establishment) program.
Heads of Preschools looking to take up the Montessori Method – many of them find that what they
are doing is really a waste of time and are really looking for a systematic approach that they can
follow – that is the reason they go looking for franchises. Franchises provide them monthly
programs and they feel comfortable with it.
Our program – they don’t need to pay the franchise owners. They will themselves be able to create
their own systematic syllabus.
Who should I choose? What should be my niche has been a challenge for me from the time I started
my journey with Uability.
I tried hiring a marketing agency in Dubai – but it did not work – They hired someone in Punjab to do
the marketing. Within 15 days I figured out they had no clue what they were doing. I lost a lot of
money with them.
Uability is my last hope –
It was like my prayer was answered when Divya and Shreya got on a call and said Divya will take
over. Shreya I think was over burdened. She told me once that she has to look after 400 people so
she cannot remember what is happening in my case. That truly upset me. At that time also, I
approached Atul and asked for another support. But they refused. They said it is not in their policy to
change AMs. I needed someone to truly hold my hand during this journey. I have been working hard.
I know once the flow begins things will be different.
I am sure Divya and I will be able t nail it. I am following his advice. Reading my Sloshed everyday,
reading pscyo-cybernatics. I watched Sam Owens video – it’s really good. I will be watching it again
today.
My past is my past – It should not play any role in my future or present.
I have to give up the thought that I was forced to work all my life. Now – this is my life – and I Want
to train teachers. This is what I Want to do. Nobody is forcing me to do it.
When I am with teachers / with children. I am happy. Montessori makes me happy. I believe in the
method and I want it to reach hundreds / thousands of teachers.