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"You should not stop writing", said Sunil." Dont bother about the vocabulary . Point is that you have to convey the idea . I frequently visit your site and these days I find no updates."
Coming from a Psuedo-Philosopher like Sunil Jose Gregory , it was the best compliment I could have ever got. Its not even 24 hours since I heard those beautiful words and here I'm writing again.
June started with the wedding of my cousin sister , Lakshmi. She used to stay in our home , with her dad ( who was ill and bedridden ). I was in 8th standard then. We lost contact after her dad passed away two years later , and its almost 10 years since we actually sat and discussed anything. .
I taught her how to ride a bicycle. I used to run the entire "Pipeline Road" stretch, while holding on to the cycle which she was trying to balance. Most difficult part was the taking a turn part. With daily practise in the sun , she finally became a confident rider.
On the wedding day, I was sitting amidst the crowd to avoid comments on my long hair ( Elderly relatives had given me umpteen deadlines to cut my hair short) . Sitting alone in that crowd, I looked at Lakshmi on stage and wondered why I treasure our bi-cycle classes. Perhaps , that was the first time in my life , I got a chance to teach another person. Till then , I was always at the receiving end of advices and guidelines. Having a studious and smarter brother at home leaves you with zero chances. My "Chettan" was preparing for his 10th standard exams at that time and thats how I got this opportunity to teach.
My mom once told that my "jaathakam" says , I would be a "Vaadyar" (Teacher). Well , I did try my hands on it , after college. I used to sit late night to prepare for the next day's class and used to spent more time correcting the answer sheets of my students. I used to wonder , why few students slept through my class. ( As a student, I used to sleep through the Humanities class , never even giving a damn about professor's efforts ). I got mad , after reading few answer sheets of my pupil. Won't they ever pay attention to what I say in the class. ( Again , as a student I had written comical stories as answers to Miu-P questions ) . It was all coming back at me and I knew that I failed miserably as a teacher. I quit the profession.
Someone once told me that the best gift you can give to others is your 'time'. When you give your time for another person, you are giving a part of your life that can never be taken back. If you are a teacher, then you are giving your entire time for others and that makes you so a very special person. "Maatha Pithaa Guru Daivam", all are equal.
During my Sainik School days , I always thought God created teachers to stop us from enjoying. They were literally fun-killers. As a school kid , I used to wonder why all these alumni come back for OBA day ( Old Boys Association meets once every year in school ). To meet the same teachers who caught them and punished them ?? Give me a break . !!!
This time's OBA was sponsored by the 82 batch and majority of them came with wife and kids for OBA. They built a clock tower for school and aptly named it "Guru-Dakshina Tower" which was inaugurated on July 7th. ( 7-7-7 ) .
10 years passed since our batch passed out of School. All of us had promised that we would all try to make it for the 10th anniversary on the 7th. Many couldn't join us , mostly due to unavoidable situations in the busy life. I met Sunil , who flew down just to make sure that he does not miss this day. We had another important reason too . It was the first OBA after we lost our batchmate, Captain Harshan.
I was not sure whether teachers would ever remember me ( In school, I was a teeny-weeny kid , who was good in nothing ). NG Babu sir , surprised me with a smile and "hi , you have grown your hair and is more stylish now ". SBS sir asked about my profession . Supriya miss reminded us that we were the first batch that she taught. I was so happy.
Teachers may not remember your name or roll number , but they did give a part of their life. And it is those parts which added up to make a Sojish or a Sunil or a Harshan.
This blog I dedicate to all my teachers , in School , in College and in daily life . I may not have been a good student to you all , still I bow my head with respect for each of you, for that part of your life that you gave me.
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