Darshan Saini

Blessings

My grandfather is probably the single most important influence in my life. Through his struggle, I learned the true meaning of self-sacrifice to benefit others. From a very early age, he practiced discipline and empathy. Since his parents passed away at a young age, he offered care and guidance to his siblings and, though an extremely intelligent man, did not have the chance to pursue higher education himself. However, this dilemma forced him to stress the importance of education to his family and he continued to provide for his siblings while they were able to make the most of what they had, and Darshan entered the Army during World War II. After his younger brother received a degree in engineering, he was offered a job in the United States; working for a company called National Cash Register in Dayton, Ohio. After returning from fighting in the war, Darshan planned to slowly relocate his wife and children to the US so that they too could live better lives than people did in India during his time. In order to do this, he lived with his brother and worked whatever jobs he could find. With no way of affording transportation, he often travelled on foot, saving his meager wages to afford plane tickets and to save up for a house where his family could live. Thanks to him, I am able to live the life that I have now, and during the first three years of my life I spent much time with my grandparents, learning how the world worked through their kind guidance.

His name Darshan means blessing in Sanskrit and it could not be more fitting for such a person

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