A Bumpy Ride
Chasing a Dream
by
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When Ralph sets out to follow his dream he has no clue about ‘the pressures that life would have in store’ for him. But, he admits that though his ‘courage may have faltered at some of the hurdles that came up’ he ‘had this gut feeling’ that his ‘dream would always spur’ him on. But did it really? Life never seems to have got easy for him in the early stages as Ralph ‘felt he was alone on the high seas piloting his rudderless ship, with almost no guidance at all.’ In fact, he says, ‘I had my doubts. I didn’t know how I would cope. There was a little fear and uncertainty creeping in. I realized I had to steer this ship all alone.’ Ralph had to wade through subtle seasons of discrimination and realized as he says that ‘I was unfortunately born with the darker spoon in my mouth and that I wasn’t smart enough to manipulate the system. I didn’t have the crystal ball of the future to see the ominous signs of more momentous unfair decisions looming in the horizon.’ So, did he manage the system? There was a point when he just wanted to throw in the towel. ‘The dark clouds of sadness again came over me, this time almost with a vengeance. A form of depression set in. ... I felt as if I hadn’t grown up at all! .... The joy and excitement of that first train ride ...... and the credits I had accumulated...... seemed to mean almost nothing. I seemed inconsolable, and I had reached a point where I felt I had to pack my bags and head back home.’ There was worse to come in his adult life when he was sidelined. He found himself at the wrong end of biased decisions, and admits that his ‘faith was in tatters.’ He says, ‘I was mauled, the victim of religious power abused, unsure of surviving and unable to think straight! I was all but slain! There was no Mark Anthony around for ‘Lend me your ears’ but just another Marko ready to ‘bury’ me!’ But, did he pick himself up? The story reveals a tale of subtle power play, and subjective controls, all described in journalistic realism, in an incredible narrative. Is Ralph to blame? Is he on the wrong track? Can he sort this out? Will the ‘bumpy ride’ be aborted? This tale of endeavour and survival has to be read to be believed.
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About the Book
Ralph, the boy with a dream, is not aware that his determination will be tested to its limits. The early thrills do not give him a clue of what's in store. Just when he thinks he's got it all under control he nearly hits rock bottom. He is about to pack his bags when experienced elders put sense into him, and he begins to see that there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Only later, some years into his adult life, he seems to have sussed out that it's not all hunky-dory and that possibly it might be a case of `the enemy within'. It still hasn't sunk into him that it's not about fair play but about a different sort of a game. Are there no rules to play by, or can some always play foul? Ralph unravels this mind-blowing tale of uncertainties and of life at the cross-roads in absorbing descriptions. `The story is a gripping tale of human endeavour and survival,' says an experienced Indian psychologist. `The situations described,' says an American journalist, `offer guideposts to Managers floundering at the deep end of decision-making.' `It's a double-decker inspirational package for training,' says a British educationist.
About the Author
Trophy D’Souza’s experience with setting up education projects in Africa, India, Middle East, UK and USA, his awareness of cultural nuances and his journalistic style make his writing interesting and absorbing. His association with drama, music, history and literature, and his use of allusions, make ordinary situations come alive.