A day A time when things are not going in the right way. things seem to slip out of your hand. your self esteem your confidence in humanity, everything everything seem to so far away. they seem to be as disillusioned with you as you are with them.
this first batch of class will remain

An Era serving DPS, Korba was over on 3rd June, my life takes a new beginning, I am as apprehensive as a tiny tot who refuses to proceed to school from a safe environment. DPS has given me a new identity, confidence, care and lots of love. I used to feel pampered here.
This is an excerpt from the farewell speech that I gave in DPS.
I am not an expert in judging people. I am not judgemental too. These are simply my observation about my colleagues in DPS,Korba. I owe my gratitude to many people in DPS Korba. The first and foremost ones to receive it are my students. Principal's like DR.B.SINGH DR.ARUN JEE, (Late) MR,MAHESWARI have played significant role in molding me as a fine teacher in DPS Korba. But it was Mr.Satish Sharma who really boosted my morale and helped gain that acceptance from within myself. I owe that credit to him. here it goes:
Let me start with the captain of the ship
Our Principal Mr. Satish Sharma
A man who never believes in dumping people
Even if one doesn’t show a promising feature
He explores possibilities and engages them
They do the deed to feel great
He does shower praises
A blend of amiability and sterness
I have been fortunate to be
Working under his leadership
Getting umpteen opportunities to grow
As he gave me challenges of many sorts
Be it quality circle forign trip,
Or be it compering in hindi
He even made me speak an extempore in hindi, once
I owe all the praises i get here
These I could never trust myself with
No words to express my gratitude
All that you have been to me sir.

A rare combination of beauty and brain
Her class children adore
You find a nightingale, a fine artist and….
Ask me what quality she has not
And I will have no answer
That’s our headmistress
Mrs Tanushree Bhowmick

Works with the spirits of a true warrior,
Traditional and competent,
Systematic does he serve
He is none other than our Tripathi sir.

A task master that she is,
Never budges from the rules of conduct,
Tough exterior but has a heart
That beats for everyone’s well being
This how I see u, my dear Usha

Talk of movies or talk of songs
They are on his finger tips,
Just as mathematics is for him,
Hilarious at times his comments are,
Fun it was working with Ranjan Sahu sir.

Where there is a problem
Appears he with a solution,
I told you so, that’s his statement
Shouting and arguing yet a pure heart
That is Patel sir for me

Jeevan hai sukh dukh ki sreni,
Agar jeena hai is duniya mein sab ke saath,
Kyon na kuchh pal has kar jiye
Kuchh mazak karke aur kuchh pal mazak udakar
Ye hein mera pyara dost Shailedra

If He sits beside you, or he states a comment for you,
Know that you have done a deed commendable
Witty are his comments unique,
Thought provoking are his remarks unusual
Too subtle but too honest
That’s Rajiv as I see you.

House warden ho to inke jaisa,
Tutors know they will have no rest
Till the house work is incomplete
Passionate for his house
Cool and composed, never a moment infuriated
That is Mahapatra sir

Cool, composed is he too,
Very careful with his words,
An exterior of a thorough professional,
But here is a man with depth in persona,
High sensitivity, quick wittedness and perseverance
That is what Ayan Gupta is all about according to me

Energy incarnated as him,
Ideas stand at his service,
Quiz or music programmes,
Case study or skit,
A Vijay touch brings laurels
As his name suggests

He is your comrade yet confidential,
Cordial is his manners are,
Morning seems so incomplete
Without a warm handshake from Patro sir

General issues of the world, country or town
Are his topics of discussion,
Not a gossip monger, but a man with cool demeanour
That is Neeraj Sharma sir

Thorough gentle man that he is
Patience disguised as him
Has come to DPS ,Korba
To make us all computer friendly
Without prejudices he works
That is Kanwar sir I know of

Works as much silently as is possible,
Let not the world know,
What goes through this generous hands,
Helping countless as they come,
This is the beauty of Nalini Kaul

Working with panache and passion
Act with thorough consideration
Mingling with us all with wit
The chotu of us seniors
That Ashish the time tabler

A close association with me, friends
This relationship for me
Mother like concern she expresses
When she suggests the ways of the world
Guides with a lot of love
That is Roy choudhury mam you are

A unique blend of many qualities
The school on toes
And at his service
Comes out with quality programmes
That is Champuria sir as I see

Works with will
Acts with skill
Exploring students’ skills
A lady with indomitable will
To pursue the goal towards victory
In sports and games
Is our dear Divya Sona mam

An enchanting smile that he possess
With rare skill he imparts his lessons of physics
His ways never showing off at all
Sarangi sir is the man I speak of

She is as her name suggests
A stream of talent, obvious to us all
Flowing as if from no where
From the moment an assignment entrusted
Taking the sinking ships to glory
Nightingale is she but refuses to sing
That is what Sarita is for me (we joined together in DPS Korba)

Patience with panache
Love with compassion
Energy with exuberance
A passionate teacher
With an incredible sense of humour
That dear Snigdha as my friend

Working steadily and systematically
Speaking softly but with intention firm
Gentle as we converse
Soft spoken is he always,
I adore Meher Sir for his cool demeanour

A smile always adorning her face,
A challenge to both age and adversity
She challenges challenges
Daring to stand upright for the cause
She believes in, that is graceful Dr.Nishi.

Come an opportunity to work
And here comes a meticulous service
Perfectionist is her other name
And elegance her other self
That is Seema Bawle

A famous anchor of township
Rendering voice for many functions
I find in the rare conversation
As she holds the tools of
Humility and sincerity
That is you Kavita for me

Chemistry is in the air that she breaths in
Chemistry with us all that she expects
That is close friend Preeta for me
Who does Kamal in chemistry lessons
Loves me and scolds me for my own cause
Here is a preeta kamal
Where comes another?

Blend of Perfection and correctness
Is her trade mark
Working with meticulousness
Be relaxed with the work
That is assigned to Madhavai

Here is an ocean of knowledge
Who has the will to go on
Trials and tribulations
Would leave Shampa Bose-a bit shaken,
But she revives with zeal.

A man steady and sincere
With a sense of humour rare
Works with no tantrums loud
And seeks no attention even in his victories
That is Anil Jha

Ocean deep and sea vast is her depth
Be it geography or any books
A voracious reader
An excellent cook
Skilled at craft
A wonderful painter
What not she is
An amalgamation of versatility
That is Shrabani Saha I know of

Perfection and perseverance
Silence with sincerity
Solemn and calm
That is Niranjan

Listen to her accounts of an incident
And it comes live before you,
That is the power of articulation
That is the quality called Dafny mam

Warm and friendly he is
Always asking me about my well being
Like betu kaise hain mam
I like the way you spoke to me
Raja bhoj sir

A lady soft and gentle
An expert in economics
And her upma is her delicacies
Thati used to love a lot
Amiable person that is Nagalaxmi ma’m

Action must be as loud as the words
Whether its dance or songs
No inhibition, no prejudices
That is Mrs.Pushpa Dase.

Warm and friendly is she always
Whenever we met here and there
Keeps on asking about us all
A confidante of my elder son
While he was in her hands once
That is Mrs. Aparna Choudhury

Elegance personified
Composure inherited
Come rain, come thunder
She is ready for any job
Daring with dignity
A lady of substance
That is Mrs. Pearl Roberts in our school

The smile that she wears
Is as warm as her self
Soft spoken skilled artist
Loving and compassionate
Hardworking and sincere
That is Jaya Shesh

Loving and caring
My son here adores her
As she teaches with love
Imparting the essence of her subject
That is Mrs. Mousumi Das

A friend of mine, not many know
Together we did programmes
Bringing glory to them all
A common link kept us together
That is Kusum Badola

A versatile invigorating lady
For whom extra curricular activity
Is as much a passion as her teaching
Bringing out the student’s best
There is Pratima mam of DPS

As gentle as anyone could be
As loving as any friend is
As respectful as a student
Is Anu Rathore for me


I have a spl place for her in my heart
Girl I say because she’s been my student
And for her good name in DPS Korba
I take a little share as teachers leave
Their essence in student’s persona
And so did I in Urmila Rathore

She teaches with sincerity
Hard working to the core
Responsibilities done well
As she does them with sincerity at most
That is Neelam Chopra mam


If life is a challenge
She stands up to face it
Not that she doen’t lament
But she has the guts
To emerge stronger with her warmth
That is Asha Warthe ma’m

A person with silent presence
Dignified and elegant
She is the queen in the tiny hearts
As she teaches them with love
That is Sangeeta mam

Confidence incarnated and sincerity added
Caring and loving
Is our teacher of Sanskrit
That is Anita Ma’m for us all

A warm and sincere touch of a person
To Whose comment I look forward to
For a boost of morale for my dress sense
Or about me as a teacher
Tiny tots’ pet Mrs.Madhuri Sharma

A silent worker with no unnecessary blabbing
That is Sushma Shastri mam

Lady with guts and quality
That is Ms.Bindu Tiwari

Calm and composed
Warm and cordial
Is Anuradha Ma’m as I see her

Eager and anxious to do her work
With sincerity and care
That is piyana mam

Silence is her tool
Adversity she fears none
Hardworking and sincere
Is Anjali Bora Mam

Life is beautiful
And she shall live life to the fullest
That’s the spirit
Of Sonia Das

Hum challenge sath sath
Jeethna inka lakshya
Sanchalan mein hein mahir
Gunavatta ki pehchan
Ye hein Shathrughnan


I don’t know much abt the new teachers
But i do know a little abt one
She is very skilled and proficient
A fine artist of great calibre
A nice friend of mine Niharika

A good help whenever we approached
Standing upright in tough time
A man with strength and will power
That O.P. Sahu Sir For me

Very warm and friendly
Ready to help with anything
Enquiring abt my well being
Is Kuriakose Sir here

Seeking help showing a familiarity
Always with a smiling face
That is Ashokan Sir for me

A friend since the starting of her career here
Her confidentiality is adorable
Together we have compiled
Many laurel of our school
That is Anju for me

Warm and cordial as she is
Always encouraging
Speaking with an understanding
That is Dimple Wassan for me

A word of advice for Shravan
Or with a warm enquiry
Soniji would talk
I will never forget that gesture of yours

Chay ho to dasrath ki hath ke chay jaise
Pyar se pilathe the eke k ko
Sabka pasant na pasant yaad hai inko
When we drink this we are ready for the day’s work
Isliye humesha pijiye dasrarh made chay

Go to library bhuvan would say
Ma’am ye book nahi aya
Magar usmein bhi tha ek respect ki jhalak
Muskurate hue baat karte the
Anokha Mr. Bhuvan Lal

Madam chay piyengi?
Lijiye na chay ya fir coffee
Aise kehte shiv humse humesha
Bahut achha laga is gesture aapka

Hum jate computer room mein
Kuchh kam lekar
Chahiye kam jaldi
Use karte the ek vajryudh
Sir ne kaha jaldi layiye
Hus dete the preta ji
Janke mera trick

Unka kam karne ka tharika
Dekha tha mein ne as test incharge
Hein bahut systematic and clear
Intelligent that he is that is Lakshman ji here

Vermaji always helped me learn
A thing or two in computer
A sincere student of mine as
I took spoken English class for teachers

Dutta ji has always been very warm towards be
With his touch of affection
False promises to drop in for idlis

I am a part of all that I experience
These are the experiences of memory that I wish to keep with me
Each one of you had touched my heart in one way or the other at different occasions
I am going away from this place but do keep me in the corner your hearts
I feel safe there
Thank you all for everything once again

On the Path of Renovation
(Skit, Written for Primary school Students, with a call for realization about the dire consequences of Global Warming)

During the process of creation, nature in her best mood,had created Earth showering her with her bounties:
(FLASH BACK OF CREATION)

Nature : Now I shall place my heart and soul to this creation. Blue and green that I shall paint upon this creation. Life is the blessing that I shall bestow upon her.

Earth : (looking at herself) I am the bundle of joy
shaping from the smart hands of nature,
I gloom with glory unlimited.
My hills have lustrous hue of green.
My skies and seas are in tinges of blue.
The song of chirping birds complement with the sweetness of the sublime
whistles of wind seem to resound with sound of nature.
I am adorned with the blanket of greenery in blue
upon me house beings in harmony.
Mankind is manifested as my love.

( Earth and Nature dancing ) Years rolled by ----------------


Home of a family:
Diwali is here again
lights are here,
lights are there
lights to lighten everywhere. (Earth and nature enter)

How beautiful those lamps look.
They seem to add beauty to my night.
Mankind, I love thee for this.

Nature : Marvellous indeed !
HOME
Child : Papa, take this cracker, lets burn it.
Papa : OK, lets go out, into the open and burn the bomb in the air.
Child : These fountain sparkles of crackers will look grand.
Mom : I shall join you shortly,
only after your burning of crackers.
Child : But why mom? Will you not join us for burning these crackers?
Papa : No baby, smoke that surges out will be suffocating for her.

( EARTH AND NATURE ENTER )
Earth : Why do I feel heavy, nature?
I seem to grasp for breath.
Nature : Look what your mankind is doing? They burn crackers which emit toxins.
Earth : It seems too warm here and why are they not letting the heat out?
Nature : Lots of gases are there, Earth, trapping the heat and light. So your temperature has taken a sudden
leap.
Earth : Why nature why? You had planned it all so well. What went wrong then?
Nature : Look again, that will explain things---
(HOME)
Papa : Its Diwali. So lets buy some new things for the house.
Child : We want separate A.C.’s in our rooms.
Mom : I need a new fridge for my kitchen.
Papa : O.K. then let me place the order. (on his cell) —Please book a fridge and A.C. for me.
Nature : How compassionately did I nurture the humans,
Lovingly did I offer my bounties
but callously did humans treat my offer.

(SHOW ALL POLLUTIONS INCLUDING VEHICLES AND FACTORIS)-----------------
(DEVILS ENTER)
Ha!Ha! I shall tempt the mankind with comforts
and chaos that I shall stir all around.
Here I raise the temperature
and here go all your ice caps melting.
Humans with high hopes to have them all,
A.C. and fridge and motor car,
Possess they shall and perish they all.

Earth: Oh! Devil what pleasure thou get in hunting me?
See how hot and humid it has become!
I will be washed away by the smoke and smog.

COPENHAGEN SUMMIT
Each one trying to speak, no one listens. Symbolically tug of war will be shown. With string and churn (UN) the churning goes on. They just throw the churn string and walk away. One country does not know what to do. Seeing everyone has gone it also leaves.

NATURE LOOKS ON
Earth : Oh no! What’s happening there? Nature, my protector, will you be a silent spectator?
Look at the progeny we have created. How much of the toxins will they produce?
Nature : You are the symbol of patience and understanding. But how long, Earth? How long? Our ailment has begun. We have to show our reaction. Man must know what they are up to.
Earth : Look around oh mother. Why have they become so foolish to cause their own destruction?

EARTH LAMENTING ENTRY OF ANGEL
Angel : Cry not my dear earth .Way we will surely find a way.
Earth : O messenger of the Lord, render a helping hand. Revive the mankind from this mess.
Nature : Look at that coughing mother.
Angel : Yes my dear. There are ways which we shall presently explore.
Earth : Mankind will revive if they realize their mistake.
Angel : They will my dear Earth (Runs her magic wand).
Nature : Yes angel you are right. Look at them using solar energy to produce electricity.
Angel : They will improve! fossil fuels will now be replaced by renewable source of energy.
Earth : At last thank you angel let things improve for better.
Nature : You see man will now realize and sustain their development.
Earth : Yes development must not stop. They have to find alternative sources of energy which nature has
given in abundance.
Nature : Yes, Yes, earth, they are using it. Look how they are using compost and other biodegradable materials to produce energy?
Earth : They seem to have come to know how much these plastics were chocking me. See they have minimized the use of it.
Angel : Man has now understood, they need to work together, co-operate and think collectively for betterment.
Earth : Your magic wand has done wonders my dear angel.
Nature : Once again I feel the flush of energy within me.
Earth : It’s your energy and vitality that enthuses me.
Let me be adorned again by your loving hands, Nature, with the kindness of angel.
Shall I be blessed with life once again?
Nature : Man and machine will be the blend of development
and man and nature will be the nurturing forces.
Man has to find out methods
which I have already bestowed on earth.
And they shall come to you for all their need.
Earth : They are my children after all. They have to come to me in their dire need.
Nature : Mother Earth is why they call thy!
That surely is how they will treat you.
Angel : Blessed are the creatures on earth
well planned has nature prepared it all.
Take care of your mother for
she is the ultimate mother of thy all.
Care is what we expected of you all
grow all of you, certainly
take all that she has,
remember mankind, you have not inherited this planet from your forefathers
you have simply borrowed it from your children.
Let your children be grateful to you for a healthy, hearty and happy mother earth.

Glory of Service
(A Skit that was written for Annual Function, enacted by Preparatory children)
As the process of creation is progressing.........
The sun god with all his glory, shines upon the hills, the valleys...... spreading his radiance
all over.
The creation continues....
There is water, the basic need of life There is fire, the immense source of energy The progress of creation is still on......
Now ... it's now the turn of living beings'
The sun smiled gently and there appeared the vegetation with their green and colourful hue!
They began to bloom cheerfully as they spread over hills and valleys.
The gracious gaze of the sun brought about the creation of glad and gleeful animals, they
too wore the hues of different colours.
The compassionate look of sun resulted in colorful collection of flowers on the hills and
valleys
And his soberness led to create the magic of white as serene birds.
White? Why white? Why aren't we blessed with the bliss of colours?
The birds asked god
Sun: Oh issues of life , do not lament
If it's colour that you wish, then colour that you shall get
Have this magic brush and colour your costumes as you wish.
Who shall take the lead?
P.c- oh my dear lord permit me to put
art and artistry upon the costume of your creation!
Sun- thy wish prevails oh, peacock, here ,take this magic brush to mix colours upon my creations.
PC: thank you oh lord for the trust you entrusted upon me here I begin the noble job
And who comes to me the first?
Crow: Cou! Cou! I am the crow come to thee to bargain for the black
Here goes the magic of the brush to turn the colour of your bare back and bosom, black is
the colour you wanted and black is what you are wearing now.
Duck-1 am the duck who wades in the water, can I have a brown upon my back and a
brown upon my neck?
p.c- Brown is the colour you bid for and brown shall you be adorned with.
Now where upon shall I wield my magic brush?
Pigeon is my pet name pally peacock! Would you just pat upon my body and wings with droplets of black upon my white?
P.C- your wish my pal is my command
And now you shall have spots of black upon your white and all over body.
Cock- oh my buddy brother, this humble cock pleads for nothing but a tinge of red. Tinge of red is all that I ask for and that I want it upon my tail.
P.C- Tinge of red and that’s all? Here is my magic brush touching with tinges of red upon your tail
Parrot- Wow! Wow! Red is the colour of my choice,
but that upon my beak,
and green upon my body all over.
Peacock dear please paint this parrot as he wishes
P.C- Why not adorable parrot? You are my bosom buddy,
Here is a trace of red upon your beak
And a fill of green upon your figure full.
Weaver bird- oh, oh do not leave me behind!
For weaving the nest I was delayed.
Yearning for yellow I come this far
And yellow is the colour I want upon my plumage
P.C- Have a splash of yellow this way and that way,
Turning you into a fellow of yellow
Now, that is a wonderful job have I done
Let me now have some designs drawn with colours upon this body of mine,
Oh no! Oh no! Where have all the colours gone?
Magic brush; lend me some colours as I too need some splendor upon my body white.
But alas! No colours, no colours!
Elephant: oh Poor peacock, please! What happened? Tell me the reason for thy grief.
P.C- elegant elephant, don’t you see this magic brush?
I coloured my comrades all;
Happy and gay are they all
Have I no right to be the same?
There are no more the colours to render
And it’s nothing but colours that I want to bathe in
And it’s colours that will make me merry!
Elephant: oh peacock dear aren’t you aware of yourself?
Look at thy body, oh pious peacock
How much of colours have you put on!
You are red at the rear
And blue at the bottom
And a green here and a grey there
How graceful do you look!
P.C- oh my! Oh my! Really! Really!
How ignorant am I!
Gracing them graciously
Gathering that I did a lot of colours!
Generously that I gave away colours
Picking up colours permanent upon myself.
How pretty is my plumage!
And splendidly my tails spread!
(Peacocks dance after thunder and lightning)
Red are the roses that bloom in thy heart,
Orange is the colour of the setting sun
Yellow is the colour of the daffodils
Green is the colour of the summer’s sky,
A drop of indigo makes white colour bright
Violet is a flower that is small and shy
And rainbow is the wonder of wonder all!
Hail the creator’s with a hymn
Give a little from your bounty
And there, you get your reward great!
The beauty of creation is so special
If you act as an arm for service,
you find yourself served manifolds in His glory!

As the process of creation is progressing.........
The sun god with all his glory, shines upon the hills, the valleys...... spreading his radiance
all over.
The creation continues....
There is water, the basic need of life There is fire, the immense source of energy The progress of creation is still on......
Now ... it's now the turn of living beings'
The sun smiled gently and there appeared the vegetation with their green and colourful hue!
They began to bloom cheerfully as they spread over hills and valleys.
The gracious gaze of the sun brought about the creation of glad and gleeful animals, they
too wore the hues of different colours.
The compassionate look of sun resulted in colorful collection of flowers on the hills and
valleys
And his soberness led to create the magic of white as serene birds.
White? Why white? Why aren't we blessed with the bliss of colours?
The birds asked god
Sun: Oh issues of life , do not lament
If it's colour that you wish, then colour that you shall get
Have this magic brush and colour your costumes as you wish.
Who shall take the lead?
P.c- oh my dear lord permit me to put
art and artistry upon the costume of your creation!
Sun- thy wish prevails oh, peacock, here ,take this magic brush to mix colours upon my creations.
PC: thank you oh lord for the trust you entrusted upon me here I begin the noble job
And who comes to me the first?
Crow: Cou! Cou! I am the crow come to thee to bargain for the black
Here goes the magic of the brush to turn the colour of your bare back and bosom, black is
the colour you wanted and black is what you are wearing now.
Duck-1 am the duck who wades in the water, can I have a brown upon my back and a
brown upon my neck?
p.c- Brown is the colour you bid for and brown shall you be adorned with.
Now where upon shall I wield my magic brush?
Pigeon is my pet name pally peacock! Would you just pat upon my body and wings with droplets of black upon my white?
P.C- your wish my pal is my command
And now you shall have spots of black upon your white and all over body.
Cock- oh my buddy brother, this humble cock pleads for nothing but a tinge of red. Tinge of red is all that I ask for and that I want it upon my tail.
P.C- Tinge of red and that’s all? Here is my magic brush touching with tinges of red upon your tail
Parrot- Wow! Wow! Red is the colour of my choice,
but that upon my beak,
and green upon my body all over.
Peacock dear please paint this parrot as he wishes
P.C- Why not adorable parrot? You are my bosom buddy,
Here is a trace of red upon your beak
And a fill of green upon your figure full.
Weaver bird- oh, oh do not leave me behind!
For weaving the nest I was delayed.
Yearning for yellow I come this far
And yellow is the colour I want upon my plumage
P.C- Have a splash of yellow this way and that way,
Turning you into a fellow of yellow
Now, that is a wonderful job have I done
Let me now have some designs drawn with colours upon this body of mine,
Oh no! Oh no! Where have all the colours gone?
Magic brush; lend me some colours as I too need some splendor upon my body white.
But alas! No colours, no colours!
Elephant: oh Poor peacock, please! What happened? Tell me the reason for thy grief.
P.C- elegant elephant, don’t you see this magic brush?
I coloured my comrades all;
Happy and gay are they all
Have I no right to be the same?
There are no more the colours to render
And it’s nothing but colours that I want to bathe in
And it’s colours that will make me merry!
Elephant: oh peacock dear aren’t you aware of yourself?
Look at thy body, oh pious peacock
How much of colours have you put on!
You are red at the rear
And blue at the bottom
And a green here and a grey there
How graceful do you look!
P.C- oh my! Oh my! Really! Really!
How ignorant am I!
Gracing them graciously
Gathering that I did a lot of colours!
Generously that I gave away colours
Picking up colours permanent upon myself.
How pretty is my plumage!
And splendidly my tails spread!
(Peacocks dance after thunder and lightning)
Red are the roses that bloom in thy heart,
Orange is the colour of the setting sun
Yellow is the colour of the daffodils
Green is the colour of the summer’s sky,
A drop of indigo makes white colour bright
Violet is a flower that is small and shy
And rainbow is the wonder of wonder all!
Hail the creator’s with a hymn
Give a little from your bounty
And there, you get your reward great!
The beauty of creation is so special
If you act as an arm for service,
you find yourself served manifolds in His glory!

A Special birthday gift !

written 18.12.2009
It’s my birthday today and a special day too! Usually I wake up with an uncertainty as whether to be excited about it or be indifferent. But so far in my 45 years of eventful journey I have never been left without a reason to be excited with, as either family friends or students made it special in one way or the other.
This time too it was illustrated with a different colour and that is why I consider it worth mentioning.
My nine year old son Achu insisted pleadingly for a hundred rupee note and I was apprehensive about giving it though I knew he wanted to buy a present for me on my birthday. Very reluctantly I relented and handed over a hundred rupees. He walked into a gift shop. Well, as I was not allowed in, so I proceeded towards the grocery shop which was a few shops away in the same complex. After a few minutes, from the corner of my eye I saw him walk out of the shop, barging into a bookshop. It took nearly half an hour for him to select a book. Shopkeeper while re-arranging the piles of books back to the shelf reported to me his instruction to the boy at the shop, ‘Bhaiyya, ache se pack karna, meri mummy ka birthday hai,voh khush ho jana chahiye! Thik?’
While walking back home he asked me “Would you like to see the gift?” I told him, I would ,but then it would give the desired effect if you showed me tomorrow. “Well mamma,said the eager son of mine,'I must say this much that it’s a book.” I wondered what book he would get for me. “May be a ‘Panchtantra’ or ‘Grandpa Stories’ What a waste of hundred rupees!,” I mused
Today morning he woke up early and hugged me with a ‘happy birthday mamma!’. He passed on the book he had bought . I hope you like the book by ‘Rashmi Bansal’. While I uncovered the neatly wrapped book and saw the cover of the book tears rolled onto the cover page ‘Stay Hungry Stay Foolish’. On the card affixed to the gift it was written ‘You are my God!’
He had painstakingly taken care to buy a book of my taste. I coaxed him to tell me what made him chose the book. He said “I had heard the name of this book many times when you would converse about books to your students and friends. Then you would say you have not read the book. So I just thought why not gift mamma with this very same book, and though this book was a bit above my budget I must get something mamma would love to read.” So he had bargained to get the book in hundred. As I hugged him to my heart I couldn’t thank God enough for the lovely moment in my life, for the effort he had taken to get a worthy present for me! Each birthday would now be a day to celebrate as the reminiscent of this memory which has exalted the glory of the day! How my son went to the shop got all the books down from the rack and took pain to select an appropriate book just to see his mamma happy.

A word with YOU!

It is indeed a matter of great pride that I am an invisible presence in this gathering. Written on the occasion of the reunion party some of a batch )
My dear children,
Right now I am sure you are at a juncture in life where your thoughts and actions will decide the course of your life, not that it was never like that before, indeed at every juncture thoughts did matter, and actions did bear a consequence. Well, what I mean is, certain crucial decisions regarding your life will be taken very shortly and those decisions will play a decisive factor in your life. So first of all let me wish you all with maturity and sensibility to take right decisions (very much a relative term!!!) in life!
For me you are not only my students but a collective source of motivation. I believe, it was a blessing that was endowed upon me to be the teacher of a batch which was unanimous in its willingness to improve. It was not that we (i.e Bama ma’am, Renu ma’am or I) inspired you, it was, as I believe it, you simply absorbed our thoughts and got inspired. You brought to surface all what we wanted to impart, as sincere learners, you tapped the latent spirit in us and we were at our best with you all. Thus your batch stands unchallenged as the best batch that I have ever taught, not only what was there in the course, but the lessons of life as well. If I ever write my autobiography as a teacher your batch takes the prominent position as one of the most significant factors that moulded me as teacher. Perhaps it was then that my prejudice towards this profession was completely wiped out. Thanks my dear children, as today I am in love with my profession!
I would be one of the happiest persons to be able to hear about your progress and prosperity. When I use these words I don’t mean only financial and professional growth, but your happiness and contentment in life. My prayers would be for your peace, prosperity and progress. But most importantly my prayers to God will be to keep your inherent goodness and penchant for being the best, intact even in the face of adversity. I wish you have the boldness to face any eventuality with courage, wisdom and with ability to prioritise. Let your EQ be at par with your IQ so that you can deal with any challenges in your life.
I hope and pray the best for all of you!
May your sense, sensibility and sensitivity profess empathy and compassion to extend your hands of support towards less privileged and welfare of humanity!
May you be always under the kind, generous care of the God I believe in!
May life always show you the best pictures!
May your hands be so deft that the blurred, tasteless colours of life attain soberness and beauty!
All the best for a brilliant and bright future ahead!
With lots and lots of love,
Yours Sreekala Ma’am.

A month with Vasudevan!

Every second in a minute is a step toward the next minute, every minute in an hour brings forth the message to look forward and every hour culminates into day worth cherishing with rich experiences. It was the month of February, when Lathu called up and confirmed that Amma is coming here and Vasukkuttan (her son) would also accompany her. The Initial response was a mixed one. I was not sure what would happen if he decides to stay back, he was a very hyperactive child who was supposed to be very stubborn and obstinate. I didn’t know if I could manage such a wiz kid (of future) who could not be taken for granted ,neither can he be brought to an amicable settlement in case of an eventuality. This was the appraisal I had received about him during the long telephonic tête-à-tête I used have with lathutti, my sister. We are both similar in our views regarding our ignorance towards the virtues of our own children. We are pretty quick when it comes to criticizing them. so i had no idea if i should take words seriously. But then, I was indeed apprehensive when the declaration in the mid march confirmed my fears and Vasukkuttan declared that he wanted my permission to stay back. How could I have withheld my permission to such an innocent yet unwarranted request? Lathutti tried telling him that he would find it difficult since she was not around. But he retorted as if his mother had no mind of her own,‘your sister is there, she is also like my mom. Why don’t you understand? Thus began the preparation for his Korba trip.
And finally on the 3rd of April the sweet bomb shell arrives with Amma. We were thrilled to have them here. Achu made arrangements to take him for swimming in nucleus club. As soon as he enters he makes sure his swimming costumes are ready. He proposes to go immediately, but we somehow convince him evening is the best time. After exchanging cordialities with achu, the bombshell prepares to explode having differences of opinions on the channels on TV . First encounter with the ‘so called’ gentle Achu who relents on seeing the frown on my face. But later those expressions had no apparent effect on Achu and the altercations continued, gradually paving way to taking more serious turns with achu sometimes helpless at his acrobatic competence. But then achu too sometimes had an upper hand when he used his muscle power rendering vasu helpless.
The height of his ideosycrasies was yet to come- he is very much self possessed when it come to verbal attacks which he considers as his monopoly. that was a holiday and achu and vasu as usual were not ready to let us have our siesta,and their arguments turned into violent battle. if a kick fell on achu's tummy, a slap stamped well on the cheek of vasu. to add spice there was shower of what each one meant spitefully to other was also heard. in his spite achu said why don't u get lost from here. now the hero's ego was hurt like anything. he could not stand that comment from achu, he rushes towards the allotted corner for his wardrobe which is actually a gunny bag throws it on to his shoulder walks out of the house, within a fraction he returns and goes to the shoe stand in the balcony picks up the sandals
( not the Chappals that i had gifted him, and which were his favourites) and once again barges out with the bag.i warm him that dogs might be there on the way. but he says he shall bark at them and scare them away. then he goes to the gate hesitates for a while and proceeds. by then achu had begun to cry pleading me to call him back. he promised me that he shall never again fight with vasu. on seeing his plight i told him to go down and bring him back. when he went down the hero was lingering near the gate expecting us to coax him for a change of mind. on achu's pleas the hero budged and obliged us saying, 'i returned only because achu pleaded and whaled. otherwise i would have gone.' (neither the scorching summer heat nor the prowling and prancing dogs could have changed his mind, only achu's lament could do the wonders)
While the saga of fights continued I too had some taste of his quick-wittedness and sharp repartee . I would try emotional black mailing him to get some of my whims to be fulfilled. He would very adamantly refuse to accommodate my interests. When I would threaten him that some of his fancies would not be met with, he would say in his cool demeanour ‘its ok, I have no problem! I don’t want any favours from you!’
( to be precise in Malayalam he would say, oh enikku oru kuzhappomilla, perassi enikku tharanda.) mostly it’s the swimming session that I would put in jeopardy, assuming that refusing to let him go for swimming session would soften him, but in vain. Well, there were certain tiny incidents which have been very memorable. My elder son unni doesn’t prefer eating rice at all. So Chappathies were cooked exclusively for him. Our little hero couldn’t really take a special treatment being extended to someone other than himself. So he declared ‘ I shall also eat chappathies only’. Now my cook had already left and I was too lethargic to prepare chappathies. But would the VIP relent? Not at all! He simply walked away from the dining table and refused to budge. I had to ultimately get up and cook chappathies. That day he ate two Chappathies. So the next day I asked my cook to prepare two extra chappathies for my sweet bitter hero. He just finished off two in no time and asked for another serving. Since I had no fresh chapathies I gave him one which was made a few hours back. He put it in his mouth and declared, this chappthy doesn’t taste well. I want another one which tastes as good as the previous ones. Imagine how well his taste buds recognise the taste! I wanted some favour from him as to keep a serbat glass for wash . he picked it up without a word of denial and as he was proceeding towards the kitchen, he kicked appu ( his elder brother) for which I admonished him. He put back the glass firmly on the table and said, now you only go and keep the glass for washing, I am no servant of yours. When Unni became a bit bossy over his brother and cousins, the protagonist declared, ‘just because you are elder doesn’t mean you can make us dance on our toes. Better mind your own business and leave me alone.’
On the 3rd of May arrived my sister along with her elder son, to be more precise the simpleton brother of the bombshell! Now Achu had some relief from the acrobatic experiences. Achu is on the fatter side, but the hero calls him fatty, hero is on the thinner side, but no one should dare to call him skinny. If you do dare then he knows how to swing his legs in 180 degrees and his limps would reach your face unexpectedly and it would be minutes before you would realize what really happened.
Now that the altercations have shifted to more familiar circumstances, he was a little more relaxed. He really got a more challenging opponent. His brother had no real worry about his comforts and he was less relenting and very informal. We as elders had a rest time when he was asleep or when he was away for swimming. But honestly speaking I am going to miss my little bombshell when he ultimately leaves.
This little bomb shell also produces many sweet moments too. He says ‘perassi (means big mom as translated in colloquial Malayalam) you are so like my mother. You even smell like her. One day I return from school and vasu runs towards me to embrace me with his warmth. He doesn’t take any stuff for himself alone but for his brother as well as cousins. He is very loving when it comes to sharing things, very sharps in his observations, very keen on learning anything other than his regular studies in school. He is so particular about brushing his teeth at night , in the morning. He doesn’t get up from his bed in the morning without saying his prayers, the only problem is that in case he forgets to do so, the one who wakes him up is at fault and so comes under his physical attacks.
If only our education system had been more children friendly in approach he would have emerged a genius for which our country could take pride.