Madras, 41 Mangal Bhaya Op

Kadri House Chimatpada Marol Andheri,

Mumbai, Chennai, 400059, India.
March 15, 1945

Vydia Venkatraman
Bombay, 617392, India

Dear Vydia
You know that I’m not a man that have a great intelect, but I think this letter worth it. I am
writing this letter to you because I hear that you want to drop out of school in exchange for
marrying Raman and I, as your father, tell you not to do that, for various reasons, that I think you
are not considering. First, you don't know how affected your father and I would be if you didn't
finish an academic degree, I don't know if you remember that we didn't live in the best
conditions, and sometimes expenses affect us and we barely have enough for basic resources.
Also think of us who do our best to have an education, I’m sorry for not giving you the best
education, believe me that amma and me do the best possible but the situation we are
experiencing right now does not help us much, so at least we ask you to put dedication to the
school.

I will tell you to think about the future, if you finish your degree and start to get a job, whatever
you get, believe me, it would be quite good for us considering that we are your parents. Also
think about yourself, you could be a person admired for your actions, let's give an example. You
want to be a doctor, female doctors are not common, they are always or the majority are men.
Believe me that if you decide to be a doctor, the country will be revolutionary in terms of health,
since you would be one of the first women doctors to be recognized nationally and perhaps
internationally, and you would earn a lot of income, we will not ask you to spend all that money
on us, I know that by then you will have your own life and you will use that money for other
things, but I want you to take into account everything we have done for you, but all this could
not happen if you do not finish school, which is your obligation.

I know you love your friend Raman very much, but it is a very hasty decision to get married at
that age, you don't know the serious consequences you would suffer, but I don't want to tell you,
but get an idea of that. Excuse me for telling you like that, but I as your father is demanding a
decision of yours, of my daughter, I do not agree and I don’t give you the authorization to carry
out with this terrifying decision. If I write you this letter, believe me that it is not with the
intention of making you feel bad, is because I care a lot about you, do not forget that you are my
daughter and I know that you are capable of achieving great things in life and if you change as a

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person, I promise that I will try to improve my intelectual habilities to be a better father with you,
I admit that sometimes I say things that didn’t have a lot of sense, and sometimes didn’t tell the
truth to you and treat you as if you are not my daughter. We are not passing good moments right
now, but I’m sure that together we will come forward.

Please, I want you to reflect well after you have read this letter and make a better decision. By
the day of tomorrow, finish your degree, get a good job, make big changes in India. And if God
allows me, see you succeed and make your father proud of you. You are the best gift that God
could give me.

You know I love you a lot.

Appa.