My dad - the rebel

I've always wondered why I am so rebellious and don't like to do things the way I'm told and all. Well now I know. It's in my genes. This is a letter my dad sent to his parents and sister (Neelam) after his first year of college. He was stopping in Delhi and then going to Pune, where his parents had just moved. And his parents had instructed him to meet someone while he was in Delhi. Read on ...

"Dear Papa, Mama and Neelam,

I just received your letter. Thanks for sending it without any address or phone number on it so that I won't know where to send my reply. [note: letters were by post back then]

I will be going to Delhi next Thursday. I will be travelling by THIRD class and won't be using the first class ticket you bought me. My train will reach at 7 45 am and not 5 45 am since I'm travelling by a different train. I think the train name is Chakra Rail or something.

I will decide MYSELF what to do in Delhi. I may even choose not to meet the relatives you asked me to meet. I am old enough now for you not to treat me as a 6 month old baby. You can't control me from 2000 miles away. If I meet my relatives it will be out of my own choosing.

There is a big performance in school tomorrow. I am not going.

See you all soon.

Love,

Sanjiv."