Dr. Vinod Prakash / Image - Supplied

For Dr. Vinod Prakash, most of his crucial life learning happened inside the rustic doors of his house in Meerut. The struggles he experienced in his formative years shaped his character and ideals. Born as the youngest of nine siblings and raised in a traditional lower-middle-class family engaged in business, Prakash carries a rich personal history of patriotism, empowerment, resilience, austerity, and discipline.

In his powerful memoir 'Service Before Self', Prakash shares vivid memories of ancient India and his native place that today's generation can only imagine – whether it is playing 'Gulli-Danda' in the claustrophobic lanes of his neighborhood covered by the ubiquitous open drains on both sides, or traveling at length by horse cart because there were no automobiles, or working out math problems by writing them out with chalk on the stone floor of the veranda at home. 

Written in a slightly didactic manner, this memoir highlights Prakash's father's exceptional emphasis on education and ethical values. In those times when a woman's role was confined to the four walls of the kitchen, in this household, not just the men but even the women of the family were well-educated, which was a rare sight. Prakash writes in his memoir – 'It was this deep-rooted inclination towards education that led to the establishment of the Prakash Educational Store in 1934. The bookstore was the first business enterprise for the family.’
 

Book cover / Supplied

An incredibly captivating aspect of the book is the profound intimacy with which Prakash describes his early values and foundation. For instance, the family staunchly adhered to the principles of the Hindu reformist movement, Arya Samaj, and religiously followed all practices aligned with it. An inclination toward their own culture significantly influenced them.

From a young age, the spirit of patriotism was deeply instilled in Prakash and all his siblings. Even before Prakash was born, his brothers Mahesh and Satya had participated in Satyagraha during the 1930 Salt March against the British Raj and were imprisoned. Prakash himself did not think twice and put his future at risk by joining the Satyagraha and got arrested at the tender age of 16.

Recalling how much his family was involved in the Indian freedom struggle, he writes, “I remember the groups of men who visited our house to discuss events and strategy, all dressed in white khaddar (homespun cotton tunic). Our family was so well-respected for its efforts in the freedom struggle.” This entire narrative profoundly reflects the unwavering honesty and dedication to the service of others that characterized Prakash’s life.

Individuals who experience chaos, confusion, and religious violence carry with them lasting memories of tumultuous times – these memories often manifest in two ways – as lingering regrets or as a firm resolve. For Prakash, it was the latter. He was the first in the family to join the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). While at the camp, he saw India (under the British Raj) going through some of the darkest times – the swelling nationalism, fenced frontiers, forced conversions, massive bloodshed, and displacement of communities.

In the book, as one goes through his formative years, there is no mention of a place that one could safely call ‘a home’ because everyone, during that time, ran in opposite directions to fit into newly created homelands that were ‘unfortunately’ forced upon them. “I was just 14 years old when Lord Cyril John Radcliffe was charged with determining which territories belonged to which nation,” he writes. 

The memoir draws a layered account of Prakash’s academic journey and career aspirations. His love for mathematics is quite evident and is enriched by a foresight that it would only take him so far in his ambitions. “I knew that pure mathematics was unlikely to lead to any career except teaching, but I had higher aspirations than teaching,” he writes. And then, when a friend mentions the prestigious Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), he applies and gets selected. For academically brilliant Prakash, this was the beginning of what one may call ‘a promising future’. One opportunity leads to another, and in no time, Prakash joins the Perspective Planning Division (PPD), a special unit of ISI, and consecutively accepts a Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sarla and Vinod at an MIT function around 1961. / Supplied

The beauty of Prakash's narration is that it's earthy and full of reflections. He remembers everything vividly, which invites the reader straight into his world. The narratives have depth and intimacy, making tiny elements of the memoir stand out. Notably, he is unapologetically forthright, particularly when expressing his pride in being a husband to Sarla (his wife), which adds to the authenticity and appeal. He doesn't mince his words when appreciating her. For instance, after returning to India, Prakash recounts the difficult early years in the U.S. and how they dealt with the diagnosis of cerebral palsy in their first child. He reminiscences the obstacles they faced then and credits Sarla's enduring energy and perseverance that helped them navigate these tough early years in the U.S.  

Although Prakash and Sarla spent many years living in the States, maintaining their connection to India and Indian identity remained a priority. They celebrated all festivals enthusiastically, ensuring nothing compromised their commitment to their Hindu upbringing. In the memoir, Prakash emphasizes that the imposition of Emergency by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi significantly impacted him and admits that the political unrest brought several immigrants like him closer to their homeland. 

Orphanage and Widow Home for Gujarat EQ victims / Supplied

For several years, Prakash enjoyed an illustrious career, climbing ranks one after the other, but deep inside his heart, he wanted to devote himself to full-time social service. That made him volunteer at India Relief Fund (now India Development Relief Fund) as the organization's president, and he subsequently took up the role full-time. Today, IDRF is honored with over 20 awards and recognitions and aligned with several empowerment projects. In the latter half, the memoir offers an intimate look at Prakash's visionary leadership and significant contributions at IDRF despite losing his eyesight 100% due to medical negligence. 

For those looking to read something powerfully moving and brilliantly constructed, for those willing to shuffle the pages of India's turbulent past, for those who believe that every individual on earth is born for a purpose, for those who wish to know about the firm foundation of IDRF—this memoir is extraordinary by many measures. It is a riveting tale of perseverance in the wake of life-altering moments. Despite its oddities, such as lengthy descriptions, it lands straight into the reader's heart for its simplicity and authenticity. One thing without which this review would be incomplete is a special mention that goes to Dr. Prakash's wife, Sarla, whose unwavering support is a significant and touching aspect of his entire journey.