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Patricia Wallace's avatar

It is such a pleasure to experience your joy in these students and I love it that the part of you that is open to and feels that joy is something you write about (along, of course, with many things that are not at all sources of joy). I am sure you communicate your own openness to the students, and that might be just the happiest thing of all.

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Amitava Kumar's avatar

Too kind, too kind. ❤️❤️❤️

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Aneela Z Babar's avatar

Oh emulating the template started WAY before the book came out. It was 1999 when "Safdar" met Mona and a young woman reading about it told herself let me watch how this turns out and by the time the book turned a year old she was convinced. Thank you for the gift of your words. Both the boy and I have something to write about when we are next quizzed about our "happiest day" .

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Amitava Kumar's avatar

❤️✍🏽🙏🏽

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Is this anything?'s avatar

My happiest moment, Amitava, was when Amit invited you for your first appearance. You won't believe it, so let me tell you one from my childhood in Lucknow.

My happiest day was when I fell on my back on the basketball court and lost my voice for about 15 minutes because of the trauma.

I was never invited to the cool kid's table because I was (am) more interested in listening to music than bonding with people. At times, the desire to be called to the cool table did raise its head. I was called to play basketball on this day because one member was short in one of the teams. There was so much cheering on the court, and everyone was genuinely interested in everyone else's success. That was the best day of my life for a long time.

How I lost my voice? I think I was a proud recipient of a kick from someone in the court who thought they should kick me. Imagine being kicked by cool people.

Thank you for your writing, drawing, being yourself, and appearance on Amit's podcast.

Gratitude.

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Amitava Kumar's avatar

I am grateful to you—and to Amit! 🙏🏽

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Sadie Horton's avatar

I once attended an author event at my son's (privileged, all boys, Nyc) school where the celebrity alumni author spent quite a bit of his time on the stage regretting how much the school had changed (for the worse) and recollecting his own better student days. How refreshing to read your observations - and rather than impose judgement on these young people, you see what you can learn from them.

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Amitava Kumar's avatar

Thanks for reading. 🙏🏽

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Beth Adams's avatar

This was fascinating and somewhat disturbing to read. I don't want Indian students to be buying into the capitalistic dream any more than I want students anywhere to do that - but I suppose it infects them no matter what. I was intrigued to read about the questions you asked and how you handled your interactions with the two age groups. They were lucky to encounter you. Like you, I never met a writer, architect, or many other creative professionals in my youth -- and so much wish I had.

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Amitava Kumar's avatar

Beth! You became such a fine artist, nevertheless. Things can turn out okay.

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Beth Adams's avatar

Thank you!

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Priya Ramani's avatar

Still waiting for you to share your prem kahani on India Love Project

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