Congrats.. You got a good teacher.

Dear Ethan,

You participated in a group dance performance on Independence Day, held at the amphitheater of our apartment society. Over 500 residents joined the celebration, where people of all ages—from tiny tots to senior citizens—showcased their talents. The event kicked off at 8 AM and continued until noon. The morning climate was nothing short of perfect, with that classic Bangalore charm. But as the day progressed, the sun's might grew, and people began seeking shade. Yet, despite the rising heat, the passion and energy of the participants never waned. That was the most inspiring part of the day.

Now, let's talk about you. You, along with many other children, dedicated close to two months preparing for this performance. Twice every week, you attended dance class on your own, showing incredible commitment. I only joined you for the last two days of practice before Independence Day, and what I witnessed was truly spectacular.

The final rehearsals were intense, lasting an hour each. I was lucky to be there and watch your teacher, Czon, in action. His teaching style amazed me. He focused on every detail, ensuring that your performance would be flawless. Since the performance was for Independence Day, he chose a patriotic theme and taught all of you the importance of awareness. The participants, ranging in age from 5 to around 10, were naturally restless, but he had a way of capturing your attention and making you focus entirely on the performance. He emphasized sharp movements, serious facial expressions, and acting—all crucial elements of the dance.

I was astonished to see how such young children, especially those as young as 5 or 6 including you, could concentrate so deeply. On the final day of practice, before wrapping up, Czon delivered a powerful message: "Tomorrow is the day of performance. This day will not come again in your life. So practice at home, be on time, be sincere, and give your best." It felt like a scene straight out of the movie "Chak De," with Shahrukh Khan's motivational speech. All of you were fired up, ready to give your all.

When we returned home, I did my best as a father to support you. I played the music repeatedly, encouraging you to visualize each step to every beat, a technique I learned from the legendary Shiamak Davar during my time at his academy.

Then the big day arrived. All of you gathered in your uniforms, ready at 8 AM sharp. You waited patiently for your turn, and when it finally came, you delivered a performance that left everyone in awe. The dance centered around the Uri attack, and what you all presented on stage was nothing short of spellbinding. The sharpness of limb movements, the intensity of facial expressions, the energy, and the acting—all of it was on point. At the end of the event, everyone agreed that the performance of the group was the highlight of the day and you also produced a spectacular show.?

While the credit goes to all of you, the real credit belongs to your teacher, Czon. I wasn’t surprised by the excellence of the performance because I had witnessed the dedication and hard work that went into it during those final two days of practice. Czon taught you something invaluable—awareness and the power of being in the moment.

My respect for him has only grown. He is now preparing all of you for Ganpati and Dussehra.

As Teacher’s Day approaches, I want to share something important with you. We often take pride in our successes, attributing them to our hard work, sacrifices, and intelligence. While that’s true, we mustn’t forget the crucial role that great teachers and mentors play in our lives. In Hindi, we call them “Guru.” They pass on their brilliance to us, helping us develop our own. It’s essential to find good teachers, though it isn’t always easy. I recently watched a video where Mukesh Ambani mentioned that he still stays in touch with his teachers from Stanford, one of the world’s best universities. Surround yourself with great teachers—that’s the best advice I can give you.

Seek out not just one, but many such great teachers. It’s your responsibility to do so. But remember, to attract such great teachers/mentors, you must elevate your own character. Only then will they come into your life.

All the best, my son.

With Loads of Love,

Papa