Progress report torn apart!

Those who have studied in schools would know that the progress report is a very important document for every student, right from the primary school. The class teacher diligently makes a record of marks obtained for each subject in the main exams - held 3 times every year. The attendance record of the student is also recorded in the progress report. And if the student does really well, the teacher adds a star mark. This is a moment of great pride for both the student and their parents. The progress report needs to be signed by one of the parents, acknowledging they have seen the marks of their son or daughter. It was one of such reports, that I brought home in Class III for review and sign by my parents. I had kept the report safely (that's what I thought) in the tea table of our drawing room at home. I then went out to play. When it was getting dark, I was asked to come back home by my parents!

That is when I had the shock my life (till that point of time). My sister who was in UKG at that time, had torn the progress report card to 16 pieces! Could it ever be assembled together? Ensuing discussion at home was how careless everyone else had been in safe keeping such an important document. It was then that a brainwave struck my grandfather, who carefully assembled the jigsaw puzzle by applying cellotape from behind the report. This eventually brought the 16 pieces together into a proper progress report that could be submitted to my class teacher the next day! When I did submit this assembled report the next day, the teacher had the shock of her life. She probably had not imagined that a report could be torn to so many pieces. I did tell her the blame must go to my sister and not me - but which teacher would believe that story of mine? I was asked to kneel down in front of my class as a punishment for the offence. I don't recall if I was given a duplicate progress report or not. But this incident is permanently etched in my memory!

This post is dedicated to my sister. Fondly remembering this incident after 35 years!

Solo rider on the bus back home!

I remember this distinctly, when I was in Class III and studying in Krishnaswamy Senior Secondary School in Anna Nagar, Madras. Madras was how Chennai was called back then. On a particular day, I took ill (may be fever) and had to be sent home immediately. Of course, those were days without a cell phone or even a landline at home (probably 1984-85). So how can I be sent home immediately? That was the predicament the school had. My class teacher communicated to school authorities to drop me back home. There is usually an office peon who has a bicycle to run errands. He was the first person to be contacted to see if he can take me back home. It seemed on that particular day, he had a prior commitment and hence the authorities discussed different alternatives to take me back home. Someone gave the idea, what about the school bus? Well, can we get Vasanth home in the school bus? The bus driver was available indeed but a whole big school bus just for a little boy...that seemed impossible. But someone thought it was a great idea and it was indeed what happened that day. I was taken back home in the school bus. I was of course the little boy all alone in the big school bus. I was not frightened, but rather felt like a king (even though I was sick). It is a rare distinction for someone to be taken back home like a king! Those at home saw the school bus coming right in front of our home in Anna Nagar and was quite taken back. Probably, even the neighbors then were wondering what was happening. The bus driver safely handed me off to my mother and then drove the bus back. I don't remember if I was taken to a doctor or not, but I often relate this experience to my family and we have a good laugh. Lot of pleasant memories of those wonderful days!

Remembering the better times during CoV19

After 4-5 weeks of lock down, it can be depressing to just stay at home. But we do need to accept the reality. No one ever thought everyone was going to be locked down at home for weeks together. But, here we are! I am trying to make the pieces semi-autobiographical where I can bring to you the best memories of my life. Writing and looking inward would probably provide the much needed relief during these uncertain times. I have also created a routine for myself: Stretches and meditation in the morning, and walking for 5000 steps every evening. I make sure to include my family in these activities. They seem to enjoy it too. Whoever is reading this piece would probably find something interesting here, may be even identify themselves here!