Written by Arun Konkoth

 

 

 My story commences in the southern state of Kerala in the Indian subcontinent. Both of my grandfathers are well-respected individuals in Kerala. My mother's father who hails from a royal family pursued his academic goals to London and came back to become an Economics professor. My grandmother was also a teacher, enlightening students in the field of mathematics. My father's father established a school in Kerala, which had its beginnings in a small shack. This shack later grew into a school with over 1000 students. My grandfather was the principal and manager of the school. My grandmother also taught at this school for many years. . After completing his studies, my father worked in Bombay, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. He traveled back to India to marry my mother. They lived in the Bahamas for 5 years. During this time, I was born Houston, Texas. My parents then moved to Albany, NY. and later to Staten Island, New York City, where we have lived for 14 years.