My personal voyage started in 1970 in the vibrant and charming Indian historical city of Mysore amidst the culture and traditions of a Kannada family. Unaware of the adventures of life, I remained an unsuspecting protagonist walking through life, watching time changing, sometimes slowly, sometimes drastically, and I carry those nostalgias and bring them to life through the turning pages in this book.
With its palaces and air filled with jasmine, Mysore turned into the unpainted canvas on which my earliest memories were created. My early years were soundtracked by the rhythm of traditional music and rustic markets, shaping my life's beat. In its palatial symphony, my home witnessed me growing up amidst the warmth and love of an extended joint family.
In my initial days, the world beyond Mysore's boundaries underwent transformations. In India, the Bank Nationalization Act of 1970 promised to redefine the financial landscape, and the atmosphere was growing conflicting as the Indo-Pakistan war was casting its shadow in the subcontinent.
The 1970s saw a number of world events that eventually decided the course of human history. The Vietnam War left a lasting impression on public perception; the Nixon administration authorized the Cambodian Incursion on April 28, 1970.
A spectacular event took place in India as change was running in its pace. Under the leadership of Dr. Verghese Kurien, India launched the largest dairy development initiative in the world, known as the "White Revolution,"
The nation that lacked dairy products became the world leader in milk production, thanks to "Operation Flood," as it is commonly called. In rural India, milk production became the primary source of income and employment for millions of people.
On the other side of global history, the Apollo 13 mission proved the determination of human exploration.
Sadly, the Beatles disbanded, the first Earth Day was observed, and the seeds of the digital revolution were subtly planted as we saw a convergence of technologies, including microprocessors, networking, and software development.
My time in Mysore was still brewing amid these significant stories globally. Every moment spent in the bustling streets against the green backdrop became the essence of my life. My toddler times and the first part of childhood were molded from the foundation of the city's rich fabric and my ancestral home nearby.
This is how my journey started in the womb of Mysore's legacy and against a backdrop of events that reverberated far beyond its borders.
Flipping over the pages of this book, I want you to travel with time and see and feel the currents of change that we witnessed as a civilization and wonder about the marvels of human minds.