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Congratulations, Joseph Nadar!

Congratulations, Joseph Nadar.
175/200 is a big achievement.
For a Maths Board exam, certainly.

I don't know who you are.
I saw your picture on a hoarding.
Some coaching class I won't name.
Who claimed credit
for your performance.

Those big, hopeful eyes of yours
as they look out from the hoarding.
Very striking,
burn themselves into memory.

You are fifteen, sixteen?
Big hopes for the future?
Doctor, engineer, MBA?
Considering scientist,
copywriter, solicitor?
No, not good enough for your marks.
Fair enough.

Right now you are selling seats.
The coaching class needs to fill
its next batch of big-eyed hopefuls.
I don't know what will happen to you.
ten, fifteen years later.
Maybe an IIT, IIM, big job, America.
Maybe some KTs and a life lost
in the local trains' crowds.
Who knows?

I wish you well, Joseph Nadar.
Though you are just an innocent picture
staring out of an advertising hoarding.
I wish you well.

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