It was the ultimate aim for any bright boy at that age, as it still is today. He was then only sixteen years old. The D-Day came. He came to Bangalore, stayed with some relatives and appeared for the entrance test. He did very well but would only say 'OK' when asked. It was the opposite when it came to food. When he said 'OK' it implied 'bad', when he said 'good' it implied 'OK', when he said 'excellent' it implied 'good'. His principle was never to hurt anyone.
The IIT entrance results came. He had passed with a high rank. What a delight for any student! He was thrilled. He went to his father who was reading a newspaper.
‘Anna, I have passed the exam.’
‘Well done, my boy.’
‘I want to join IIT.’
His father stopped reading the paper. He lifted his head, looked at the boy and said
with a heavy voice, 'My
son, you are a bright boy.
You know our financial
position. I have five
daughters to be married
off and three sons to
educate.I am a salaried person. I cannot afford your expenses at IIT. You can stay in Mysore and study as much as you want.'
Indeed it was a difficult situation for any father to say 'no' to his bright son. But circumstances were like that. It was common then for the man to be the single earning member with a large family dependent on him.