Having recently connected with these erstwhile students from my past life, I am touched and honored at the affection they have shown me in inviting me to their twenty-five year reunion, so I would like to share below a tribute that I actually wrote twenty-five years ago and which was also published in Sandesh when this batch, my first, was graduating from Modern High School in 1984 and I was still teaching there. I am very grateful to one very alert student from that era who took the trouble to actually scan this article and send it to me -thank you-you know who you are!
Should you want to read more, I have incorporated a medley of these cherished Modern memories along with pictures in my personal blog which you can read at
Cheers and God bless each of you and your families!
Those were the days .... my young friends!
~ Raksha Bhandari Krishna (1984)
Bang, clatter, Thump .... Whoops .....
Please introduce yourself! 'What's her name? Where is she from? Sh Shsh •••... Hoooo .....• Ha, Ha Ha' I stood stock still. trying to keep a bland expression under the barrage of outrageous queries. 'Count ten Raksha, keep cool. Keep in mind your B. Ed training. Remember the educational psychology approach to adolescents'. So I muttered to myself, hoping my inner quavering was not evident to these precocious youngsters. That was my first day at Modern as a history teacher in three memorable years ago. The venue was the place of action Sir Sobha Singh Block. The class was supposed to be S5-F. OnIy it was an explosive mixture of pupils from other sections also who had flocked to witness the acute embarrassment of the new victim- a brand new history teacher. Somehow the day passed without untoward incident. The reception in other classes was in more or less the same vociferous tone. During the first few weeks, I with my convent school background went through a gamut of emotions-horror, indignation, flying rage, hurt and last but not the least amusement, all this observed with unholy glee by the unmerciful brats. Oh-I was informed later by a smart kid that I had passed the teacher intiation test very well. Small consolation indeed !
I joined Modern fresh from the University in September 1980 with a lot of misgivings as it was going through a rough period at that time. People had given me all kinds of dire warnings. But something edged me on (destiny I think) and I came prepared, or so I thought. It was not easy, I had to work hard, doubly so, since the resourceful students made it their duty to prepare not their lessons, but the questions to grill me, especially the then S4D. Some of the questions really taxed my listed patience. Like while teaching THE STONE AGE, I told them that stone was used for weapons and tools. Prompt came the question, 'Ma'am what brand of stone?" etc. etc. Soon other luminaries followed suit, and my facial muscles would tire from the pleasant smile which became increasingly fixed as the moments passed. Oh I soon learnt to fix these kids, by thinking up ingenious methods. One of the methods which worked was to dictate notes when finally in the din, I would manage to give my lecture but at a speed which even impressed them, before all hell broke loose. Gradually things became better. Of course they did resort to playful antics like suddenly in the peaceful atmosphere, there- would be a slow melodious whistling. I would look to the left, then the sound emerge from the right, till, I would be very vexed and they would take pity and stop. One helpful soul would tell me in a conspirational manner, that it was coming from outside. I would almost explode and shake my fist at them in a helpless attitude. The class would then resume. I think the class which excelled in these antics was then S4A.
I am thankful to Mrs. Joginder Singh for her unfailing support and shoulder which she lent me when I all but gave up. The kindly Mr. Juneja always bucked me up with his paternal advice 'You are a brave girl. Don't be so sensitive otherwise your blood pressure will increase.' Everyday seemed like a challenge. Every night I lay sleepless thinking novel devices to make the same ole Cro - Magnon Man and Bimarck interesting. Everyday I rebuked myself inwardly for being so volatile. Everyday I tried to loo,k genuinely angry in class when something in their mock serious expressions would make me burst into a hastily suppressed grin. I would turn towards the blackboard to compose my mobile face congratulating myself at my quick thinking, only to find I was sadly mistaken when some young chirpy voice would plaintively pipe up much to my dismay saying 'But you are laughing yourself ma'am'.
All these sentimental reminiscences are of the present outgoing S-7 for it was this affectionate and lively batch in the IX and later on in the X standards with which I started my high school teaching career in real earnest. I literally grew up with them from a easily hurt, quick tempered and impatient person to a less vulnerable, tough, confident and more understanding adult. These bright teens taught me to develop fantastic sense of humour and how to handle awkward situations with finesse. Talking about humour I recall how after two weeks in Modern after listening and observing intently a grave venerable young colleague, I too decided to imbibe the maternal image. So I too said 'son' (beta) to a big hefty brawny child towering over me in what I thought was a nonchalant manner. It resulted in an incredible silence followed by a roar of unanimous laughter from the children and a foolish expression on my face. Oh! you bet that season I never tried such maneuvers again. These children never failed to startle me with their sensitivity and little gestures of caring. Just when I though they passionately hated me, they would once again prove me wrong by their little acts of love. For instance on my birthday few weeks after joining school when I entered my classroom (I was the class teacher of S4F and later S5F) I was received with an exuberant Happy Birthday chorus followed with lovely bouquet flowers. Their counter-parts in other sections not to be left behind presented me with little posies of flowers and improvised cards. The much dreaded S4C (with which I had an interesting relationship) overwhelmed me with their warmth i.e., a solitary candle on a pastry smuggled from the Home Science Lab-of course! Putting it simply, it was just beautiful! Outside the school vicinity, if the pupils saw me, they would warmly great me and certainly make their presence felt with repeated louder than necessary greetings "Good evening Ma'am How are you? (When they had just been with me only a few hours back).
There were bad moments also, when tempers ran high and misunderstandings were rampant, when parents were called immediately to meet an irate inexperienced young teacher expounding her views of their errant offspring with a flourish and full emotional theatrics. I remember how one fine morning in 1981 I decided to steal my traitorous heart to weaker moments and called the parents of the unrepentant children of S5C who had decided to celebrate Diwali by bursting crackers in my classroom. I only ended up exhausting myself and earning the ferocious scowls of the injured innocents (as they considered themselves) while their parents looked at the youthful teacher in sympathy. But I was rather proud of my courage in taking them on as it was now not just a matter of my pride but survival in ensuring that the eagerly watching juniors knew that there were serious consequences for such actions. All that is a part of the learning game and these thoughts now really amuse me and I actually chuckle at my foolhardy bravado.
Memories flood my mind, but I shall wind off now by saying that teaching has literally been a two way process. I have taught and learnt from these young people. I have emerged a stronger individual (I hope so). I have not only survived rather well but am in fact thriving and totally involved in this lovely institution. The best tribute I can ever pay is that if I were ever to go back to my own school days, I would love to study at Modern.
I will take this opportunity to wish the present S-7 aII the best in life. They shall do well as they are an extremely intelligent loving smart set of kids. I shall always treasure my memories of them and sincerely hope that none of them bear any hard feelings for the past rebukes and unavoidable unpleasantness.
