While visiting Meerut, after 34 years, in February 2014, my brother
Krishan, sister Neelam and I decided to visit our alma maters, our old
schools, as well.
As kids , Krishan and I had studied in St’. John’s higher secondary
school, Meerut and Neelam being the youngest had studied in the Punjab
Regiment Kendriya Vidyalaya, Meerut which was nearest to our house in
circular road.Neelam was eager to show her school to her twin daughters
so they also accompanied us.
The Punjab Regimant Kendriya Vidyalaya was the first on our
route.It stood as a much developed and bigger building than before. It
being a holiday the building was closed but Neelam could fondly remember the
boundary walls of the school from where they used to watch the trains
passing by. Within the school compound was the principal’s bungalow. The
nameplate bore a very scholarly name but we ,having come uninvited and
without prior intimation, dared not to enter the house.
St . John’s higher secondary school was the next on our list.It bore a
cheerful look as usual. I had studied here for ten years. I had got
admitted in the upper KG class and had left after passing ninth
standard. In most ways the school and I had grown together. Earlier there
was only the main building, the chapel bearing marble stone declaring
that the building was built by Begum Sumro of Sardhana in 1831 for the the
sons of Englishmen. The latter wings, there first and second floors, three
labs, basketball ground, the huge stage were added gradually as I moved
from one class to another. All this was there but a lot more had been
added.
One peon showed us around. The simple primary classes and cycle stand
behind the main building had been replaced by modern nursery section
with colorful furniture, toys, pictures, learning material etc. Part
of principal’s bungalows garden had been converted into kids’ play-zone
complete with colorful jhoolas , slides, seesaws, swings,merry go
rounds etc. On our request the peon opened the gates of the play zone
and let the girls have a good time for a while.
The principal Mrs. Chandralekha Jain met us very cordially
and was very
sweet to offer us tea along with snacks. The little ones got handful of
chocolates and a gift-wrapped little box each as well.Sitting in the
principal’s office surrounded by huge trophies, dignified photographs I
felt proud of my alma mater. I had spent most of my childhood here and
learnt most of everything I know now. I had been best student,had won
several general knowledge competitions and had become an inspiration for
my younger siblings.
We talked at length about the school of
our times,the teachers Mrs. Das, Mrs. Joel, Mrs.Tiwari, Mr Chauhan and
above all Mr.C.H.Herbert, the Principal then. Undoubtedly Mr.Herbert was
the man behind the growth, success and discipline of the school.
Sometime back someone had posted on the facebook group of St.John’s
alumni about Mr.Herbert’s ghost still taking rounds in the school and I
playfully asked Mrs. Jain if she had seen his ghost in the campus.
Mrs.Jain laughed and said No she had not seen anything although she too
had been warned about it.
On our way back I casually asked
the little girls which school they liked better. Wiithout batting an
eyelid or thinkiing for a moment both shouted in unison- ”Momma ka”. All
three of us turned at them with surprise written on our faces. I
instantly wanted to point towards the chocolates in their pockets, the
gift-wrapped boxes and remind them of the wonderful time they had had in
the kids play-zone but i stopped myself and realized that the twosome
had not bothered to compare the the two schools at all.Both of them were
simply being their Momma’s daughters.Daughters everywhere are just the
same. For them their momma is always the best and the most beautiful and
everything connected with their mother has to be the best.
By: janki yadav