Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Ten Thousand Meters

This is the altitude at which modern Jet airplanes fly.

This is also the distance I will be running on March 29, at the Statesman Capitol 10K.

Surprised?

If you know me well, you will be.

I am a theoretician. I can't play. I don't like to. I like books. But, I think rearranging my bookshelf is a chore. Physical exertion is quite alien to me.

In many ways, I'm just your guy next door. Someone quite typically in his late twenties. Still fresh from those dreamy years spent in college. Just waking up to the reality of adulthood. And Life.

I'm sometimes impatient with where I am, career wise. I look at Obama, and wonder why I am not where he is today. I conclude that it is because he is twenty years older. "All in good time...," I tell myself.

I like nice things. I want an iPhone. And a Porsche Boxter. My loyal steed, a Toyota Corolla, sometimes goes under appreciated.

And so on and on and on. I am like most people you meet. The similarities are so many...

And yet, there is one small difference.

I still dream. And believe, quite strongly, in the power of those dreams... That the world will be a better place. And that we can take it there. Together.

Which brings me to why I've started running... I'm running because I want to spread a message.

All of us know that education is important. We are where we are today, because of the good foundation that we got. We sometimes take that for granted.

There are many children out there who don't have access to this basic right. For some, its because of circumstance. For some, its because they don't have enough money. They have the same dreams that we do. And yet, they don't have the foundation to make it happen.

I believe I can make a difference in their lives. I believe you can too.

And so, I run.

I'm raising money to help the children at Gnanodaya. This is a school in Chennai, for healthy children of leprosy affected patients. The school provides food, shelter, and education to these children, free of cost to their parents, most of whom are below the poverty line.

Run with me. Support me. And consider donating to our cause.

There is one other thing... You have a good life. Celebrate that! Smile :)

Thank You!