VIDYA KARTHINI

VIDYA KARTHINI
A name huh? Well, we all know that everyone has a name, but I believe that with every name, comes a story behind it. Mine holds one too, and it all started from the day I had entered the Planet Earth.

“Aww… she is so beautiful” the doctors had said. “Have you decided a name yet for her?” “No, not yet. We have to see an astrologer to figure out what her name is going to be.” See in my family, we would decide the names of a child according to their birth time, their star, and the names of the other family members. It was such an amazing process, how they decided what your name should be just by looking at your star. According to my astrologer, my name had to start with a “V”.

Not only that, but for some reason a lot of Indian parents wanted to name their child after a goddess or a great leader. That included my parents as well. This was how I got my name. Vidya was the name of a great guru. He was the idol of many, and a friend for everyone. Caring for others, he would assist anyone in need. Even if it meant he himself would lose something. Being the great man everyone looked up to, his personality matched his name. God of Knowledge- he was knowledge. Not even having to study, he could out- smart anyone. Even the thoughts his mind consisted were amazing. He had a brain that could look farther than any other man on Earth. My mom believed that if I was named after her guru, it would bring happiness and his kind of personality in me. She wanted me to be successful in life, but to also be a great leader like her guru.

Now the second part of my name- Karthini was given to me by my father. Karthini was the name of another great leader of Indonesia that he looked up to. Although she was a woman, she accomplished so many things and led others to victory. My father looked to her for her principles.

So basically my name is “Knowledge Leader.” I guess this is why people would look up to me to learn and to follow.

With a name comes a nick-name, and I had many. Some of my friends call me Video as a teaser and other family members call me Karu. Even though I might have many nick-names, I am still Vidya Karthini and no matter how much I don't like it, I will be "Knowledge Leader."

Maybe one day I will be the leader that my name proves to be, the young Vidya Karthini.