IT'S NOT WHY, IT'S WHY NOT

A group of people standing with their arms crossed, giving occasional sighs, nurses running. Someone said, "We might need a C-section." The oldest among them burst into tears. Everyone started praying. A man in his late twenties, not speaking a word, can be seen from a distance, petrified, not knowing what to expect. I’m not that religious, but the anticipation in front of a labor room automatically converts you into a believer, no matter how much you don’t want to. To top it off, if it’s in the vicinity of one of the most famous temples in Kerala, offerings go faster than FedEx. Doors opened at 3:25 pm. Everyone rushed near the nurse holding a cloud-like cloth. My dad contracted his emotions as well as his hands to receive his legacy. It’s a boy. That’s how I’m informed about my birth story. Nothing fancy, no shooting stars, no realigning of constellations, no miracles, or anything of that sort.

Cue music 1... 2... 3. Vivaldi's Winter complemented by a beautiful rain and a surprising magnitude of prayers. Let me give you “Our Hero.” Bewildered by the sheer volume of “Prayer Entries,” leaflets flying, accountants of heaven in panic mode, all the while harp players try to lighten the mood. The prayer entry meter is going berserk. The Boss-man of heaven cross-checks the leaflets and says, "Oh boy, I'm in for an all-nighter." Thus the mood has been set, actors are in order, and the play begins. The time is 7:30 am, a naked kid running around the dining area being chased by his father because he is too reluctant to wear UNDERWEAR while his mom force-feeds him breakfast. Introvert, Average, Obedient—I never fit into these three terms. I adored cartoons, sitcoms, and James Bond movies (my father would cover my eyes with his hands during "sexy scenes") because my father liked them all, and we used to watch them together. I enjoyed taking apart my toys and putting them back together, though some unlucky action figures never made it. Life was simple, ordinary, and average. My parents were quite happy that I was a “Good Indian boy,” which may seem a bit corny.

The most misleading thing about Indian Cinema in the 2000s is the unrealistic take on college life, action scenes, love, and the 18-year-old Nimish stood no chance when he faced “ragging” in its purest form. The “Initiation Rituals” seemed like witch trials because, coincidentally, my college was in Salem, Tamil Nadu. Academically, it was zero fun, but expectations were lingering on my shoulders. Alongside my studies, I understood courage as a necessity, which helped me take a punch to my face. This rough induction inspired me to aim high and dare to make my dreams a reality. My initial step was to start my own firm, working hard and exhausting myself to prove my worth to those I cared about. Like all grand stories, it wasn’t without setbacks. After two and a half years of building, a lucrative project arrived, and I took a risk that didn’t pay off. When the dust settled, I found myself in Dubai, spending a year on the job hunt, scraping by, and clinging to sanity.

This phase brought me solace in writing, which evolved from journaling to poems, and finally, to a passion I wanted to pursue professionally. Reflecting on the journey so far—endless resets, unexpected leaps of faith, and a growing love for writing—gave me a new purpose. When I returned, I embraced writing fully, realizing that my life was setting me up for this path.

The past few years have added more layers to this story. My experience preparing for the civil services exam taught me the power of resilience and the value of discipline. Five years of intense study and self-discovery showed me the importance of adapting to challenges. Now, as I pursue a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources and Administration from TISS, I’m immersing myself in HR strategies and gaining a fresh perspective on team dynamics and the human side of organizational growth. Each step along the way has fueled my journey, making me see the world and my place in it with greater clarity.

They say, “Twenties is the age when the whole world is wide open to you, with endless opportunities waiting.” Fickle-minded, impractical, or in over my head—these same traits also make me relentless, innovative, and ready to pursue what matters. I learned to stand up for what’s right for me, and I hope you see that. I’m not kidding; I had previously omitted the part about my firm in my resume. I thought my past failure was irrelevant to a career in writing, but I realize now it’s part of my story, and I’m coming clean here.

There is an idea of a NIMISH, a balancing act where traits play in perfect harmony like a beautiful cocktail. It’s not just “why,” but “why not?” And I am here to find the answer.