A reunion
of our school batch was planned more than a year ago after we began unearthing
each other on the Facebook. A few of my classmates were responsible for weaving
the fabric of friendship all over again.
A WhatsApp group was created by a few more. Technology transported us into the
most beautiful phase of childhood, yet again, regardless of our grizzled
appearance and responsibilities. We began sharing our joy with a greater
maturity and waited for the ‘D’ day with great excitement. There were a few who
had booked their tickets well ahead while a few of us joined at the last minute. Our spouses were more than kind helping us
leave the domestic responsibilities at their mercy. It was a three day
celebration as we felt a day or a short meet would never be sufficient. The city
of Hyderabad
was chosen as the meeting place as we were the Alumni of the Kendriya Vidyalaya
Golconda situated near the majestic Golconda Fort. In those days there was
only one Kendriya Vidyalaya over there, but now we have two KV’s and so the school
is called KVGolconda No.1.
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On the first day, we met at Hotel Daspalla in Hyderabad to be acquainted
with everyone, and reinforce our plans for the next two days. We included our teachers
and cherished to connect with the present students of KVG hoping to confer the
society something that we all could through our experiences and knowledge. Most
of my classmates appeared very different from what they were, but the ladies looked comparable to what they were.
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On the
second day, we went to the school to interact with the students of the school as
an alumni group. Most of the teachers and the then Principal Mr.J K Gangal who had taught us were with us.
The students whom we met were bright and confident and spoke to us regarding
their apprehensions and aspirations. Being mature enough, we could guide them to
our best.
On the
final day the Alumni had organized a felicitation of the teachers. All the
teachers congregated at Hotel Daspalla where the reunion was arranged. As the teachers came in, we ran to each one of
them trying to make them comfortable. Each one was assigned one teacher to be
taken care of. My friend suddenly pointed out towards our Eleventh standard
class teacher Ms Pramila Susairaj. She emerged to be identical after thirty
long years, though there was a conceivable difference. The puffiness of her
cheeks and arms was never seen earlier. I began recollecting the day she had
joined our school. She was young, dressed in a saree, she was short and could
not reach the extremity of the blackboard. We looked on as she struggled with a
beaming smile. Gradually we grew friendly, the boys began lending a hand to wipe the board as she taught
us Chemistry using the blackboard elaborately. She was devoted and gentle. We
loved her period of Organic Chemistry as she taught it soothingly. She taught us the art of
politeness through her loving words. Perhaps, it was her love that created a
keen interest in us for the subject she taught.
One of the
days in the month of August, I told her
that I was famished and wished to go home. She said that she would have shared
her lunch had I informed her earlier, but she refused to send me home saying
that I would be alone at home. She gave me a pack of Parle Glucose biscuits left out of
the Independence Day Celebration. When I returned back to the class, the gang
laughed, saying that, ma'am was indeed clever to comprehend my deception. When we
reached the twelfth standard; she still taught us chemistry, but was our best
friend too. She instilled confidence each day before we appeared for the exam.
She was readily available to comfort me when I misread a ten mark question and
lost the marks. She would then usher us back asking us to prepare for the next
day’s exam. During the celebration of
Teachers’ Day on the 5th September we were the Student Teachers
who were lauded by her. We were given a Farewell party at the end of the year
to bid us farewell. We could read the emotions on her face as we graduated.
Perhaps she wanted each one of us to be triumphant. During the reunion, she only
wanted to know about our well-being. Each one of us was rich in our experiences, but what mattered
now was not just how flourishing we were, but how blissful and satisfied we were.
“True
teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their
students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse,
encouraging them to create theirown .” ― Nikos Kazantzakis
So,thoroughly enjoyed the reunion and had a much deserved break from routine!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vimala, it was a last minute decision, but enjoyed the visit. Had a great time with my sisters, brother and my bhabhi too. Our kids at HPS need to plan a reunion for us...............
DeleteLoved reading this account. I am also from KVG-1. Premila ma'am was my favourite teacher at school too, someone who shaped me in ways I cannot describe here. We are planning a reunion of our batch of students this July. I hope it turns out as successful as yours was.
ReplyDeleteLoved reading this account. I am also from KVG-1. Premila ma'am was my favourite teacher at school too, someone who shaped me in ways I cannot describe here. We are planning a reunion of our batch of students this July. I hope it turns out as successful as yours was.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading the post Yamini. Pramila ma'am played a great role in our lives, and so can understand your thoughts. Hope you have a great reunion. Do share your pics so that we know you all....
ReplyDelete