A Word from the Author

Hi all, my name is Arathi Sasikumar — or may I say, Aathi Chachuma.

I remember my father fondly narrating how a 2-year-old Arathi pronounced her name at an old Homoeo clinic. I was down with fever, and my parents had taken me to a famous Homoeo doctor for treatment. His residence was crowded with patients, and he sat in a tiny room adjacent to his veranda. The nurse would yell the name of the patient each time another one came out of his room.

Apparently the nurse had announced my name and my parents were not paying attention. The 2-year-old Arathi had to pull my father’s sleeve and say,

“Aathi chachuma, Aathi chachuma!”

to make them realise that it was my turn to enter the doctor’s cabin.

30 years down the road, my father still reminds me how Aathi Chachuma was the best mispronounced name he ever heard.

So here I am, venturing into something I genuinely believe would make every parent proud to be a part of. I hope all my efforts bring a smile to somebody’s face.