The autumn is at
its scenting ostentation. The weather is at its best of pleasantness. The cool breeze of morning followed by
bright sun shine is so soothing that the mind and heart go for prayer and
thanks God for making life so beautiful.
And when you are enjoying such beauty of nature, the FM is rendering “Kanha se aaye badra”, “koi gata
..main so jajata”,” tuje mere sur me sur mila de” and so on by Yasodash, you are
completed lost in mesmerised effect of music and of course its associated
beautiful reminiscences. This has prompted to me write this
Having passed
middle school in Mokalsar and after appearing test for National Talent Hunt
examination, my train hurtled me to Jodhpur for onward education. This was a rule in the family that everybody
has to go to Jodhpur after middle school, though matric facility was available
in Mokalsar. But sheer thought of
getting good education, parents, sent us to Jodhpur.
It was 15th
June, 1978 when I took Bhildi Passenger and changed train at Samdari to
board on Barmer Passenger, to say good bye to Mokalar for ever and embrace a
new city called Jodhpur. I was 13 at that time. I got off at Jodhpur Railway station at around
3.30 pm. But I did not have the correct
address, but had some vague idea, so walked upto Jalori gate and then took a
tempo who unloaded me at my destination.
I didn't know that the
excitement and happiness I had in my mind for joining new school and new
location will put a new challenge to life…living in a hostel kind of situation
without involvement of parents.
Our flat had One
Bed room, one drawing cum study room and one Veranda and a kitchen. Three brothers were already there. Two were studying and the and the third one
was working in a nearby town who used to
visit us once or twice in a fortnight.
Hanwant School
was obvious choice by my father for secondary education as list of meritorious
students were prominently displayed on the walls of School.
I spent three
years in the school and I do not remember any day without any teacher in the
class. And surprisingly, in the very
first year I was called on the stage at the Annual function and honoured for
having 100% attendance. This was enough inspiration for me to do a
little hard work. In all the three classes from 9th to
11th I stood first in the class.
Xth was of course Board and I secured 11th position in all
over the Rajasthan. This came without
any additional efforts. I was simply
studying regularly and did not carry burden of tension in my mind for Board
exams. Coming from a humble background
of rural life, I was in indomitable spirit to impress the school with my extracurricular
activities also.
Therefore, I took active part in debate and essay writing competitions. And as the luck would have it, I stood on top
ranking in both the contests at District Tournaments.
I had special
challenges on acceptability in the school as I was new. Therefore, it was vert pertinent for me to be
recognised so that I get due respect from peers and teachers. I observed a few days and found that some of
the students are very good at studies and very prompt in response. I tried to develop friendship with them by
being more attentive in the class and making myself first every time in
response. Besides, remembering the
lessons, neat assignments, focus on language was a must for me. And very soon, with all humbleness, I made my
presence felt in the class.
Participation in extracurricular activities particularly essay writing
and debating were added in my profile as a hobby which I still pursue. Lot
of opportunities were coming in my ways from District Administration, Rotary Club,
Lions Club to participate in these programmes.
And honestly, I did not lose even a single opportunity. It was really a learning experience when I
faced female students of St Patrics School in debating. Their accent, their delivery style and sense
of clothing, expression, and confidence was unparallel. The
first opportunity came to me to speak on stage on 15th August , 1979
when I was class X student and was asked to come on stage and speak extempore. This day was also coincided with Krishna Janmasthmi and I was to speak on
both the occasion. And was surprised to
see that I could speak for 10 minutes non stop and got standing ovation from
students and teachers alike.
There was no
dearth of encouragement from school side.
Shri Mahendra Singh Chouhan was our Head Master and I was having
privilege to buy any text book from Laxmi Book Depot at the expense of
school. What a great man was he! He understood the psychology of a kid. And I never allowed him to be
disappointed when come to performance. I also bagged many
prizes in District level competitions in debate and essay writing.
I never attended private tution classes. But our routine was very disciplined. Daily two hours practice on type writer was a must to score marks above 90%. Since we all brothers were there as students, so house hold work was also important. I was sharing the responsibility of collecting water, cleaning the house and utensils. Though in our building we were four tenants, but cleaning of the whole building was my utmost priority. When seeing a kid of school cleaning the building, all other neighbours particularly women folk would come out and extend their help. Morning and evening walk was a part and partial of my life. I used to get up at around 5 o clock, used to go for a walk upto Satsang Bhawan, used to participate in the morning prayers. Evening used to be still more pleasant; we would have our dinner by 7 pm. Raju nromally joined me in the evening walk. We used to take different routes every time to enjoy the serenity of nature. Walk upto Nehru Park and Shastri Circle was our routine.
A common friend
in the family introduced me to a lawyer Shri Paras Chopra in 1980 when I was in
class X. I started working with him and got initial lessons for pass port
applications, Sales Tax Returns, Income Tax Returns, Bank Finance and start up
of new venture. In the process I had to
travel upto Jaipur for all these work. Now when I think of past, I just smile. My travel used to be either in Bus or train
and I still vividly feel smell of bidis
in the train coaches.
My trip to
Jaipur used to be of special significance.
My brother’s in laws house was there.
Suresh, my bhabhi’s brother used to give me company. Both of us would cover Jaipur
city on bicyle and used to visit offices together as I had little knowledge of
geography of Jaipur. Evening used to be
for merry making. We would play all games, have nice food cooked by
mother of my bhabhi. Card games, Dice
Games, merry making, cinema in Raj Mandir, visit to Ganesh Temple on Moti
Dungari road and so on were always on our itinerary.
I very strongly
feel the school time is the best time in
the life of anybody when he enjoys maximum, he learns the lessons of life, the
text book education which is really useful in life, and a time, whose memories
are normally not faded, a time when you make friends for ever. Therefore, let kids fly in the big sky called
school, let them inhale the fragrance of
beauty of this world.
Jai hind.
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