School

This one’s dedicated to all my school friends. For the record, I am from St. Xavier’s Jaipur. The school also features in an advertisement these days, with Virender Sehwag promoting some brand on the steps (seen in the pic) leading to the building.

Come to think of it, all this is long gone in history, to the times when Jaipur didn’t have a Barista or CCD, had 6-digit telephone numbers, Statue Circle was the favourite evening hangout, Birla Planetarium was a splendour, ice-cream meant Milky Way, the main city was sooo far away!!

“Oye ladke naak mein se ungli nikaal!!” (Stop picking your nose) bellowed Rana (the PTI) from his pedestal just before the daily assembly/prayer. A bull of a man, dehati (rustic) to the core, he towered over us – a sea of puny little men/big boys in our blue, white and grey school uniforms. When you heard that bellow, you stood at attention, tucked in your shirt, checked your badge, belt, shoes, nails etc and put on your ‘It wasn’t me, sir’ face. While most of us were good at this regular business some of my buds with politically incorrect faces and a burning desire to prove to themselves and may be to the women about them having the guts to take on just any hardship that comes their way.

As always, they chose to continue with their engrossing exchange of ideas about this fair maiden that was at tuition with them. All this time Rana was charging towards them… and the white sea was parting to give him way on his seek & destroy mission. It was too late when the heroes (and to be martyrs) of our class realized his ominous presence. “Five rounds of the football field”, he said, followed by “get this note signed by your pitaji (father)”. Ah the embarrassment of having your parents involved which gets most heroes into peril, they start in unison “sir, sir… paleez, just this one time.. wont happen again, never….!!” Martyrdom of guts and coolness.

The melodrama carried on only till the National Anthem came to rescue and all had to shut their mouths and stand in attention to show respect to the nation.

After the daily helping of philosophical fundaes (for the enrichment of the mind) followed by some insights about the same and necessary announcements form Father Principal we headed back to our classrooms with the speakers churning out some classical melody which I always associated with the calm before the storm our teachers were gonna let loose in classrooms.

Being tall since ever, I had the privilege of watching the entire class march up the stairs, each one a distinct piece of art by the Lord Almighty. Leading the way, the least tall of the bunch, Sethi with energetic strides, followed by the classy Ms. Brandon trying to balance her Head Girl badge so that it stays upright. Drug lord Juned just about managing to drag himself up the stairs flashing his mischievous smile that leaves you guessing when he’d strike, Harsh in serious conversation with Malli about their gymming schedule and the new strategy to get that perfect body despite all the academic work load…. all this until we reach class and the all important attendance begins.

Once finished with it the teacher began with the grind…

More action from the classroom in the next entry!!