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:

The fool's day

I don't think that I will ever be able forget 1st of April in my life. Not just because its celebrated as universal fools day, but due to the fact that almighty chose this day to make super fool of me as well as all my batch mates on this very day 10 years ago. Our last exam of class 12 (biology: which I cleared very narrowly) was scheduled on 31st of March 2001. So according to the custom we were supposed to leave the school on the very next day. The next day school bus was standing near the auditorium to pick us up and drop to Guwahati. So one by one we stared to come out of the hostels and started walking towards the auditorium. Some of us were adamant that we won't cry. We will shout the final hurrah with smiles on our face. The school main ground (also the main football ground) comes in the way to auditorium. Seeing that I could not resist myself running towards the goalpost and give it a final kiss. And after I kiss those two posts I forgot my vow and started crying helplessly like a little kid. The only thing I remember while walking towards the school bus was the voice of Mrs. Krishna Sharma (Courtesy Safiqul for reminding me Tikri mam's real name :))"eitu dekhon suwalir nichinakoi kandichhe."

P.S.: According to the myth Nurul and Kingshuk were the two last persons who started crying.

It's not dead

Its been sometime that several ex-SSGians told me about this blog and how they liked reading the posts in here. I thought I needed to say a bigger and wider thank you to everyone including those who read this blog and liked it and never got the opportunity to vocalize their appreciation.

Last night I was getting a call from a friend from SSG, who was a batchmate and a fellow Lohitian. We haven’t met after leaving school in 2001. It is only in the last few months that we have spoken once or twice after leaving school. So last night he had called. I was induced into an exhausted sleep after a weekday and thanks to the nightmarish traffic movement caused by the Common Wealth in Delhi. I had gone to the Modern Art Gallery near India Gate from work to attend an exhibition. Galleries are the last place to get exhausted I know. But it was the last day and I was the last visitor. The guard was switching the lights off and I was on the run – running from room to room. So even though I remember seeing his name on the cell display, I probably could not make the effort to press the call and talk.

Today morning another fellow classmate and Lohitian from Delhi, Rajib Hazam (3265) rings me up and tells me…(to be continued)

However, before closing this, I must highlight the beauty of internet (let’s stash the dirt away from the field of vision, like CWG has done hiding the MCD bins behind colorful CWG hoardings with the Shera). I could have never imagined talking to so many of us, with the press of a button. Here is a small something to highlight the spirit of Ex-SSGians and if you like it do thank the internet.
And one more thing. Do watch out for the next episode of my little story about this friend who had called last night. Very soon I promise.

our blog is dead!!

I can understand every ones time constraint but let us keep this blog alive.. Lets keep posting junk or whatever just like i did now. Honestly i really do miss Shisir da's postings,Wish he could continue.