The Jackfruit parade

Prep time after games. Everyone is observing silence in Aniruddha house. The omni present terror of P. K. Jena, Kannango and the House captain and house Vice captain. Not very far from Aniruddha house a different story was unfolding. Danshrang Basumatary (popularly called Jimmy, 3314) and Hirak Jyoti Bora (popularly called Tika, 3367) accompanied by a junior (I think Pema) were heading towards the jackfruit tree near the main ground, bang opposite to the main building. Pema being the junior was asked to climb the tree and pluck the jackfruits and pass them to Jimmy and Tika below.

Now being ex-SSGians we understand better than anyone else how even the best of plans can go kaput. One can never be one hundred percent certain about the success of a mission. And they make the most interesting stories too.

As Pema climbed the tree and plucked the jackfruit P. K. Jena happened to walk toward the narrow road adjacent to the tree along with H. K. Jha. Jimmy and Tika dived into the nearby bushes. Saved ha!

But just as Jena was crossing the tree, a voice appeared from the dark tree above, “Jimmy da, Hirok da” and a jackfruit appeared in the dark. Jena didn’t have to make much effort to bring out the characters hiding behind the bushes and the one from the tree above along with the jackfruit.

The events of the evening unfolded to the rest of the cadets in a curious manner. Arindam was studying in his desk (remember it was prep time). A sound of boots came from the quadrangle. Jimmy, Pema and Hirok were in full khaki dress, marching from end to end. And from time to time, when they reached the other end of the quadrangle, they would stop, do patr ke saath salute and then turn and continue marching. On closer inspection, it was revealed, they were saluting the very jack fruit that was plucked, now standing on the grass.

disclaimer: the names might be incorrect. Suggestions for editing are welcome.

सर्व मे साध्यम:

As years roll by and my batchmates from school gets married one after another. Friends who used to get punished for straying out of the school boundary, have traveled across the globe. Friends who were taught by teachers have doctorate degrees. The PT abs have gone soft and round. And as years roll by, the stories of humour, the shared joy becomes indistinct in our memories. Even going back to school, doesn’t do much good in reviving the old spirit. Time to time when I visit school, I am reminded of a particular year long ago.

I was probably in VIth or VIIth standard. Ms. JSB (Jayashree Shankar Baruah) used to teach us English. In one of the class tests we were asked to write an essay, ‘Our school’. I wrote an average essay, I figured out while writing. On the day, she returned our answer sheet (with marks), she announced/discussed things about the essays we wrote. I had written about the physical details like buildings, classrooms and houses and more things like that. She said, cadet Jyotirmoy (3299) had written the best essay in the class. In it he had mentioned one thing that I distinctly remember, the motto of the school, सर्व मे साध्यम:, which in Sanskrit means, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE. The words stayed with me, more so now after more than a decade of leaving school. As I quit work and started chasing dreams.

I wish to congratulate Sir, Mr. Dilip Borboruah for winning the National Award for best teacher. Dr. Nicholus Bhattacharjee (3334) for earning his doctorate this year from Delhi University. Mriganka (3351) and Maj. Kingshuk (3345) on their wedding. Keot (3300), Hansraj (3372) and Arindam (3376) on becoming fathers. And most importantly, I want to thank everyone who continue to be friends.

I have a bad memory, so all that I carry from SSG are some jewel friends and a spirit called सर्व मे साध्यम: