She wanted to become a doctor. With her merits she got admission in one of the best colleges of the city. She was happy as she could now pursue what she wanted to do.
She went to the college in her best outfit, the best she was comfortable with her. A perfect pair of Levis' jeans and tee. Entering the class she realised there is something wrong with her. Everyone was staring her.
In a class of people with a same dream suddenly made her feel the odd one. The Dean saw her and shouted, " You cannot wear this. It is against the rules!"
She was totally confused. "Yes! If you want to be a doctor from this college you will have to traditional Indian wear, a salwar kameez." he said.
She rejected the idea then and there!
The simplest question which should have struck all the hundreds of people sitting there struck to her, "What difference does clothes make from me being a doctor? The treatment I would give once I study from here is what will matter!"
She was standing alone. With no one on her side, she was afraid but then she stood strong.
She stood with her perspective which she believed is right.
Standing alone was hard.
She explained to her Dean and the faculties but no one was ready to listen to her.
She stood strong to what she believed.
She dint go to the college for next SIX months.
After that the Dean called her up, the reason she still dint know about and met him.
She joined the college again, went there in the traditional Indian wear. She told to the Dean that she wasnt wearing it because she is accepting what he and the faculties believe is a rule but just for respecting him and it wont be a daily thing.
The unusual happened. There was a board meeting called with all the faculties and management. The only agenda was one girl who is not wearing the traditional form of outfit which a student in their college had to wear.
After a lot of talks and brainstorming, the Dean came out and told to the girl, " I dont know what made you stand so strong but we believe what you said has nothing wrong and you can wear decent outfits not necessarily a salwar kameez.
It can be western too."
A rush of happiness and self confidence, with her head held high she told her batchmates who now were not only happy but also had respect for her.
The same mates who considered her to be foolish to fight over such a small thing now believed though small she was a person who stood for something that was right!
She along with her other friends went to college the next day wearing her favorite jeans and tee!
A small act, a small step and a leap of faith by a girl
we know as Palak Jalan.
Thats what I call, The Power of One! :)
