Her: “So, what can it do?”Me: “It can do anything!”Her: “Can it make the dinner?”Me: “There are ones which can make food, but not the one I am asking”Her: “So, what can the one you want to get, do?”Me: “Teach me to make the one that can make dinner”
This was the exact conversation I had with my mom when I asked if I can get a computer. I was introduced to the computer in my 5th grade, where we shared five computers (probably 3 in working condition at any given time) for the entire school (~300 kids). We would get about 15 min in computer every two weeks and after each “lab session”, I spent next two weeks waiting for another opportunity. I cannot pinpoint one incident or one things that fascinated me towards the computers – I planned to study either Physics or Electrical engineering growing up. But my heart set for computer pretty soon after I got to spend some time with that magical device. I used to walk 3 miles in 100 degrees Fareighiet sun to go to the cyber cafe and spend an hour in computer spending my lunch money. Over the course of next two years, my parents realized my fascination for the computer was only getting stronger.
When I asked my parents for the computer in 2008, when I was on the 11th grade, I was fully aware that it is not one of the luxury expenditure we can make based on our financial situation. But as the 16-year me, I decided to try again. I do not think my dad knew what or how a computer would benefit me, but he knew for sure I was not asking it for fun or gaming. Our parents have always put our best interest first before their wish. They have gone above and beyond their means to provide a better life for us and they still do. My father nodded his head – the universal “sure” and I got my first computer. It was not as aesthetically pleasing when I look back now (I went for the best specs for my budget than aesthetics or brand), but it meant a world to me. It was a loan purchase – payment to be made on monthly installment. Moments like this make my parents the person I aspire to be one day. They believed that it would be good for me, and they provided – even though it meant taking a loan.
Now, a decade later, when I spend 80% of my uptime on a computer, I still ponder in the same question my mom asked a decade ago. So, “what can it do, that my mom or dad really care about?” My parents certainly do not use the computer for ordering the groceries online or e-trading or the daily news. Streaming movies or TV online is still a no-go in Nepal. But because of the same computer bought in 2008 and spotty wireless internet, we get to wave at each other in video calls every week. My parents certainly appreciate that, and I do too.