It was when I was in ninth standard, that I realized that I was short. Suddenly all the guys in my class became taller than me. Frankly, at that time, it was a panicky situation for me. I felt sheer sense of discomfort and also a complex. I had always been among the taller boys in class and now it was no longer that.

When we were growing up, one’s personality was strongly attributed to one’s height. It was felt that taller guys had a more impressive and intimidating personality. I also felt the same and therefore I felt my shortcoming very keenly.

My friends advised me to join a gym but my mom was completely against it. She strongly felt that hard core working out at a gym at such a tender age was not healthy. Now I know how right my mom was but at that time, my rebellious and scared mind was stubborn to join a gym. I argued, fought and threw tantrums. But my mom was firm on that point (thank you mom). Instead she encouraged me to do more exercises and physical work. She advised me to cycle more, to do skipping and to go for jogging.

At that time, my mom didn’t ignore me. Infact she took extra care of me. I still remember having long talks with her at night when I told her how the guys in the class made fun of me. She used to always love me and tell me that everything is going to be alright.

I worked hard. I remember doing 800 skips in one go everyday. I built up my stamina and really in six months I gained height. I was once again amongst the tallest guys in class and the entire class shut their mouth.

I didn’t stop exercises. I made it a way of life. Infact those early years of being fit have kept me happy so far. I read somewhere that if you work upon your body and keep it fine for first fifty years of life, then it will sustain itself in the next fifty years. Body is like a temple- this is what my mom always said.

Height never became an issue after that for me. Luckily my kids have taken after me and my wife and are both on the taller side. It’s good for them but I really want them to appreciate the other side of life.

Let me take your leave now. Please take care. Bye.

The ‘common man’ always told his kids that they should never forget that an individual’s personality is about his or her values, ideas and desires. He also told them to value people and not appearances. This was afterall the long and short of life.