MB#30: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙀𝙭𝙝𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙈𝙮 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧'𝙨 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙.

[MemoirBlogthon#30] My father feared my extracurricular activities were ruining my career. But in 1975, as president of the Jaycees Youth Club, I organized a major philatelic exhibition, JYPEX-75, inaugurated by the postmaster general. This memoir talks about the high-stakes event, the media coverage, and the important moment when my father, who was a stranger at the show, finally validated my work with three simple words: "Wonderfully done." It marks the end of his constant warnings and the beginning of his acceptance of my unique talents.

MB#30- JYPEX-75-The Philatelic Exhibition

During my B.Com years in 1975, I was the elected president of the Vijayawada Jaycees Youth Club, dedicating most of my time outside of class to social service and leadership development. This dedication came at a cost: my father was deeply concerned, frequently scolding me for neglecting my studies and comparing me to my academically high-achieving siblings. He openly expressed low expectations for my career and even stopped my pocket money to discourage my "deviant" activities.

The Power of Organization

To mark the Silver Jubilee of India's Republic Day, I decided to organize a high-stakes event: JYPEX-75, a major philatelic exhibition. Without disturbing my father, I simply placed the printed invitation card on his table. It was a professional card announcing the Minister for Law as the Chief Guest and the Postmaster General (PMG) of the Andhra Pradesh Circle as the inaugurator.

The event, held over three days, was a mammoth success. The PMG officially released a Republic Day Stamp and endorsed the "special cover with cachet" I had designed, granting three days of special postal cancellation. The Indian Express ran a state edition article the next day, highlighting the "philatelic treasure on display."

"Wonderfully Done"

My father, likely driven by a mix of curiosity and pride, visited the exhibition not as an organizer's parent but as a stranger, standing in the long queue with the thousands of other visitors. He was eventually spotted by my club secretary, who rushed him to the VIP lounge. When I finally found the courage to approach him, he didn't scold me for my studies; instead, he put his hand on my shoulder and said these words that shifted our entire relationship: "Wonderfully done."

The crucial contrast between his past warnings and this moment of public validation was profound. The event's success was later cemented by an official letter from the PMG, Sri P. S. Raghavachari, who wrote that the exhibition was "one of the best exhibitions of its kind" and had "more than amply fulfilled" the purpose of kindling a taste for constructive ventures.

This event proved that my extracurricular diligence was not a distraction but a demonstration of organizational excellence that would eventually serve me well, even if I only achieved a "pass" grade in my B.Com.

MB#30: Quiz

MB30-Question: What were the three simple words the author's father used to finally validate his son's work and talents?

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• A. "Keep it up."
• B. "Wonderfully done."
• C. "Well organized."
• D. "This is good."

MB#30: Quote

"Validation is not an acknowledgement of your existence, but an appreciation of your worth."