Straight from the heart

Dedicated to My Friends from Gurukul.

The years that we survived in the ethnic cult of Gurukul were the true wonder years and had been blessed with many great friends and the never ending sagas. I have mixed emotions –some good and some real bad ones in that closed and protected world.
I still remember the faces, though not name, of the friends and mentors I dealt with in those years. But the brightest time was while my tenth board exams, to which the memoirs still remains, only as it is the closest that my mind can store.

The rhythm and the exile were spectacular. We almost had Nicknames for every batch mate of tenth class- some most hilarious and some were simply nonsense. The cool culture of showing two fingers –first and the last, that almost replaced the phrase “JUST KIDDING”; literally translated to “Waat Thai Che”. Sometimes Swamiji also used that sign. Of course that was developed by our very own Kuldeep (aka Rinch). Kuldeep we still miss those episodes of KBC !!! Perhaps he was the first among us to start his shaving career, of which he was given the title. Hope you also remember the flamboyant ‘Kundi’ aka Hardik who was beaten endlessly by everyone. Guys have any idea about ghee factory aka ramesh then please post here.
Remember the shapeless creature among us who was named ‘Amoeba’. I know you are smart enough to guess who.

It was that time of tenth that cent percent passing was the main target of our guardians, righteously they proved with previous two batches. I still remember setting some tuff and easy test papers and being criticized for the same. There were few smart heads who stole the question papers from my locker prior to the exams. Yet they managed to fail. Now they are some of the smartest learners in the fields they work. No matter what we all manage and control our lives at some point of time, atleast we all learned that very well in the school.

Then I was the monitor of room no 1 and tenth class. It was going to be the last year of school and the entire bunch together. So we decided to go crazy and scored in everything to break the rules in all the corners. A cricket match organized with a crazy ball in the classroom was the dottiest thing and well kept secret, till one fine day when our dear Roopesh Sir intervened through the secret window, which Mihir (aka Sandh) was taking care of. Then everyone knows how badly each one of us were beaten and punished in front of everyone in the basketball field. I felt like a fool with the scars of fresh 12 stitches on my head and confining such punishment.

I also remember the language and the dance, mixed from all parts especially Gujarat ; the culture we accepted and learned and shared with others. Hyderabad gave me the jolliest form of Hindi. We learned too much of religious stuff that I doubt is taught anywhere in India, that like me many criticized. I am not being cynical,but to a certain point one must take efforts to grow on his own. I think that school is the perfect time to learn from mistakes, for that you should be allowed to make mistakes. I have nothing against the values that we were taught, they are of course our own heritage, but respecting and enduring that cult is very important. If you respectfully respect the emblems of religion then only you should carry them. There is no point showing off.


Speaking of the faculty we had some of the most charming and dedicated, I would not mention some bad ones who showered naked in the open bathroom or even smoked a beedie in the school. Shiva swami is the TRUE guru who always thought from students heart. I have never seen a man so down to earth and enthusiast about everything that he wished for students. I am lucky to have him. Guys this might hurt you if you are not aware that is is not in the best of his health and have had some serious heart problems. I visted gurukul couple of months back and found Chana reddy sir, Ajit sir, Rajan Philip Sir and Chawdry sir still serving there. I was there late afternoon discussing with Swami Sir in the staff room. Then we questioned off few students as they were attending the IIT Classes organized there. We asked a simple question that what does IIT stand for. One of fifteen students could answer us. The thing is making IIT classes compulsory for a guy who wishes to take commerce, be a flouriest, do hotel management, be a cricketer would not work. Spot the talent from the boy and work accordingly; I think only a few wouldn’t agree on this.

Graciously I would mention many things that were up to my limits that I missed and some out of my bounds that I gained. It’s the vicious cycle of learning and implementing. We all fall short, and then we learn than some of ‘em we implement.

Lets set some mood and keep memories intact. I want everyone of you reading this to mention your say and what are you up to in life, your experiences in gurukul.Please fill in your comments.
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