COLORS OF LIFE-5. TO SIR WITH LOVE.

“Gurur Brahma Gurur Vishnu Gurur Devo Maheshwara,

Gurur Sakshat Para Brhma, Tasmye Shree Gurve Namah”

With these sacred feelings I resume to write a few lines about my respected ‘ Sir’. I enrolled for my Intermediate, in Moortidevi Saraswati Intermediate College(MDSIC) run by Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain Trust( Times of India Group) primarily because it was the only college offering Commerce and also because the institute was considered to be the best in the district. It had the distinction of 100 % success rate in Board Exams with many making to the merit list. It had well laid out complex with play ground of its own. Financial aid was available to poor students in form of uniform, books and admission fees. Additionally it was administered by Shri Ram Narayan kela, Principal , whom we affectionately called ‘ Sir’, known for his efficiency, administrative skills and impressive educational background.

As a student of course ,pretty soon it became quite obvious to me why it was considered the best. Discipline was the name of the game. The Principal was a disciplinarian to the core not only for the students but for the teachers too. The teachers were supposed to reach school at least half an hour before the scheduled time, sign the attendance register and ensure that the students behaved themselves.

Students were supposed to reach school 15 minutes before the scheduled time but in no case after the Main Gate was closed. He would place himself on a chair at the Main Gate with a Newspaper or a book in his hands. As was the custom, each student would touch his feet and silently walk to his class. Late comers would be detained at the gate, made to do some sit ups and then allowed to go to class with a promise for not to come late again. Habitual late comers were sent back home. It was heartening scene to watch the parents returning with the student, apologizing profusely. The net result was almost all students reached school well in time.

Another was about uniform. We had those Khaki shorts/pants with white shirts as uniform. The uniform had to be neat and clean, all buttoned up and no button missing, shoes properly polished, nails trimmed and hair cut, oiled and parted. Students not conforming to rules were sent back.

The town was not big then. Sir was a known figure. With his tall figure, flowing long beard, white kurta and dhoti, he could be easily spotted easily. Sir’s writ was not limited to the school walls only. He could easily recognize his student and reprimand him if found eating Chat at some stall or doing any such thing not worthy of being the student of his school.

Same thing applied about watching movies in the only movie theatre we had in the town. It was not that we did not or could not watch movies but there always was the fear of being watched by Sir. Movies, smoking, drinking and cards were strict no and considered sinful.

There was a soft side of Principal Sir too. He never used a stick or beat any student. His eyes said everything. He was very helpful too. Poor students were helped with monetary help in forms of books etc. Below average students were given extra tutorials after the school. Bright students were encouraged and rewarded with books and testimonials. A few of us were even allowed to teach the junior classes in the absence of the teacher.

It goes to the credit of Sir that students did shramdan (donation of labor). We used to clean the play ground and move the bricks and other construction materials to the construction site. Though there was no way we could refuge but the way we were asked and motivated to do such jobs was always a pleasure and satisfying experience.

It was said that he did have a family but they did not live with them. His wife probably could not coup up with his dedication for his work at the school that went from Primary School to become an Intermediate College in the district because of his untiring efforts and commendable results.

He was also closed to the trustees of the school. He would, as the students from the family informed us, spend his evenings with the elders of the family. His meals also came from there only. The one secret about him we could never digest was his love for Movies. He would almost watch every movie with the elders of the family in the late night shows, as informed by the students from the family.

It was our final year and exams were round the corner. The day of reckoning came when one fateful night we went to watch the late night show and saw “Sir’ sitting in the balcony during the interval. He too probably saw us. We slipped in the darkness after the interval. We were scared to go to school next day but there was no option. Nothing really happened. Ay the prayer assembly, he was there as usual. Again as usual, we waited for his speech. He told us about the coming exams and how we should use our time to secure maximum marks. He ended with saying that he was pained when he saw some of the bright students watching movies and advising that we should not be over confident.

Such was my Sir. You were as human as anyone else but there was something special about you. We are proud of you. You made our life.