What's the fuss about, Satya Nadella's father says

HYDERABAD: The world could be going gung-ho over the extraordinary story of a mediocre student's journey-from a public school in Hyderabad to the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond- but Satya Nadella's father Bukkapuram Nadella Yugandhar does not seem to understand just what this hoopla is about. So, while he is aware of the frenzy surrounding his 46-year-old son, the former bureaucrat chooses to remain oblivious to it all. He also fails to fathom how anecdotes about the new-crowned CEO's childhood could be of any interest to the rest of the nation.

"I don't know why I should speak about his (Satya's) childhood. How is that even important," the plainly-dressed Yugandhar told this TOI correspondent, waiting to get a dekho of the proud daddy, as he returned home after his daily hour-long evening walk at the KBR National Park nearby.

"Yes I wish him well, but that's a ll I have to say," the father retorted on being repeatedly asked for a reaction. "All this is unnecessary hype. I don't understand why it is required," he added. And before the next question could be posed at him, Yugandhar had turned away to head for the front door of his conventional south-Indian home, reeking of modesty - a term that's become synonymous with the family over the past one week. "Please spare us now," he finally said, as he walked in.

Though that might sound tad strange to some ears, who'd expect the father to be jubilant at this stage instead, Maqsood bhai insisted that quiet celebrations have been on within the four walls of the house.

"Sab bahut khush hai (everybody is very happy)," said Maqsood, a family driver for four years now. He had other things to share too, mostly about his bhaiya (Satya) who he claimed visited the city twice every year: once in October for work and once in December for a 15-day vacation.

"He is a gem of a man. C an speak fluent Hindi and Telugu," Maqsood said, making no attempt to hide his pride while announcing how he played chauffeur to the Microsoft biggie, each time he came home. "Woh aache insaan hai. Jaane ke waqt hamesa khush hoke kuch deke jaate hai hume, (He is a nice man. Before returning to the US, he always gives us something as a sign of gratitude)," he stressed.

A glimpse of similar affection for the only son of the house was visibly on the face of mother Prabhavati Yugandhar too, when she made a fleeting appearance at the request of this correspondent. But much like her husband, the graceful lady neatly draped in a pink silk saree, refrained from commenting on the 'Satya saga'. "It is best that you speak to my husband. He is my son, yes, but I would not wish to say anything else," she said, courteously smiling all the while. Some joys, perhaps, are best felt in private.

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