It was in my heart to help a little because I was helped much.* On 33rd anniversary

 

Khalil Gibran memorial across Boston Public library

I met Louis Liang in October 1983 while working at Fairchild Semiconductor. He has been my friend and mentor since then and he has helped me in many ways in career and life. 34 years later, I still enjoy listening to his perspective on various issues on our Tuesday morning coffee chats. Many years ago I asked him what could I do in return for his guidance and help through the years. His reply was “Help the next generation. Pass on what you gain to them.” 

Story Line:  This is the story of my first 2 years in the USA (1974-1975). Most of you do not know the individuals I have mentioned but you may have similar experiences of your own with the people you have met on your journeys. Those people we cross paths with play a significant part in what we become.

My Japan Airlines flight was delayed due to mechanical troubles and arrived late in the evening at Los Angeles International Airport. The shuttle service to USC was already gone for the day. Worried and confused, I pulled out an SOS instruction sheet (given to me by my parents when I left home) and called a distant uncle; one I had only met two or three times in my life and asked for help. He stayed in Anaheim, quite a distance from LAX, but ended up coming to pick me up. For the next several days, Gautambhai gave me an orientation to America and helped me settle myself into campus life.

That semester USC EE department had launched a special program for an MS Degree with a specialization in Semiconductor Physics and Processing. There was a growing need for this rapidly emerging Industry. The prerequisites were a bachelors in Physics or EE. Even though I was admitted for the four year program for a BS in EE, I asked Professor William Steier (Head of EE department at the time) and Mr. Khetrapal (Head of the foreign student’s office) if they would let me go for an MS since I already had a BS in Physics. They gave me a chance. 18 months later I graduated with a masters degree instead of doing an additional four years to attain a bachelors degree.

A quarter before graduation, I had attended an event at UCLA with guest speakers who were executives from Silicon Valley in Northern California. I took their business cards and kept in touch by phone. After graduating I went to San Jose and contacted the two speakers I had met. Both were gracious and invited me to their offices. One, Francis Azariah went above and beyond, calling me and giving me tips on possible job opportunities. Not only did I land an interview at one of those companies, but before they could make an offer they needed local references, and he gave them a very honest review about me. 

When I had moved to Silicon Valley I met a nice man at Girish’s place where I was staying. He had immigrated from England with his family and bought a motel for business. We connected and he offered me to stay with his family until I felt comfortable in my new environment. Naranbhai and Shantabhabhi treated me like their own son and provided great emotional support in settling down in the new area.

Reflection: I have been incredibly fortunate in my journey in USA and prior to have met so many kind, caring and helpful individuals; most of whom I have met through chance encounters. They have all played a significant role in the wonderful life I've led.

They have enriched me with an enormous wealth of experiences and stories that have been shared in Friday Reflections through the years and also helped in assistance and encouragement to the new comers to the country or the company, The Young and The Restless and listening to people wanting to share their experiences or ask for an opinion. The doors were always open in office and have been open at home.

For things that are given away are never lost.

*Part 2 covering other years and experiences to be published in November.

Comments

[CH]

Indeed we still have a lot of nice people around. Reading this make me stay positive to our society. Thanks for the sharing!

[ST]

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give - Khalil Gibran

Time has changed now and has transformed us and so advanced. Where do you find these generosity any more!!!!!

[Sam]

When I first came to US for Masters, I was quite homesick. However, one of the janitor staff in that school started talking with me and would take me in her car to help me shop for things. After some time, She introduced me to the secretary of the Chair of the graduate study program Sybil Snider. Sybil was a very caring lady who started talking with me when she would find me in the hallway. We became friends and I started becoming more comfortable in US. She started calling me "her favorite student" to others when she would see me with people in the elevator or elsewhere. She invited me to meet her family during Easter that year. No doubt, this helped me a lot. Years later, I visited her again and guess what she introduced me to her new "favorite student". I was lucky to keep in touch with her until she passed away but always feel happy thinking about how she helped me.

[Thomas]

Thank you Tom Clark, Bob Plimley, Larry Friedrich, Rich Poliak, Paul Jaquette, Marc Berube, Paul Wermer, Jim Harrison, Dipankar Bose, Anand (of course) and so many others who were so generous with their time and help in my Intel career. I would not be where I am without you.

[Gaby]

So many people help me and touch my life daily; the hardest thing to do is to dwell and recognize those people that help over the non-helpers. The negative people always attract more attention in our minds, that's why taking time to be grateful is so important, thanks Anand for the reflection.

[Joalica]

“It was in my heart to help a little because I was helped much." "
For things that are given away are never lost." They resonated so deep with me. Just back from my 3.5 weeks long vacation in California with my son, who's 15 years old. He was So impressed with his experience there, it was exactly the spirit of "giving out" and "be of help" that he felt strongly. When he was in the summer camp facing not only technical challenge but also language challenge to understand the course and design/finish his project within the week, his peer campers were always so helpful, readily giving their encouragement as well as constructive inputs to help him move forward and finally achieve his goals. We met my ex-boss and boss's boss, who were both very,very kind and hospitable, giving our little young man wise tips about life and career, something that is full of wisdom and would never be forgotten. Even the strangers were able to offer help to ease our travel. Things that we experience, friendship that we feel, all glued into extremely positive energy that so positively influenced us and made our stay in US such a positive and pleasant one! My son and I both are determined to carry forward the positive energy and spread the help to someone in need in life! Thank you Anand!

[microCEO]

Anand,
In addition to sharing your sentiments of gratitude, for all those gurus who allowed us to stand upon their shoulders, I am impressed that you were able to negotiate your way directly to the master's program, thus saving an inordinate amount of time and money.

I have also experienced in Academia, that it pays to go directly to the senior professors and ask for a chance. Many programs have a long list of prerequisites, but some of these are summarily waived if you are brave enough to request it and demonstrate your credentials and knowledge, as well as your passion and dedication to the decision makers.

I look forward to reading Part 2 of your saga...

[madhuri]

Anand-Coincidently- this Sept 7th will be my 33rd anniversary in this country that I now call home. Helped countless times in countless ways in India and here. Sometimes I feel- how can I be so blessed? How can I ever pay this forward? So I make them laugh by being silly. Smiling is in my control- so I smile at every opportunity, so the next person can smile back at me :)And you know what I have started doing each morning? I say a big Thank you to no one in particular, and wish that I can do a small act of kindness that day.