Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Gore Madam.... Some Memories

It was very sad to hear the demise of Gore madam today. Most of my school life I shared a love-hate relation with her as student. We couldn't bear each other neither could do without each other.... after school I was probably more in touch with her than any other teacher and as I matured, our relation got out of hate totally.

Some Memories....

I first encountered Gore madam when I was in 10th since she was my class teacher. I don't even remember the subject she taught since I was never interested in studies and more interested in my notorious activities. I was the black sheep in her class. My class comprised of students who had selected SANSKRIT as their extra language and everyone except me were the 'scholar' kinds. My principal was always shocked because my IQ was 2nd highest in my standard (combining all divisions) but my marks never showed it.

Nevertheless, the first period used to start with me sneaking in chocolates and biscuits which I found delight eating during the periods and not in the reccess. Being short, I was made sit on 1st or 2nd bench and then I was obviously caught, not red-handed though. Unfortunately my habit spread around and the other 'scholar' kinds started indulging in same activities. To put a hold on it Gore madam made me sit in girls. This simply gave me new vigour to create new trouble in class, apparently the first pair of girls I was made to sit with were really totally into studies and complained that they couldn't concentrate because of me. Eventually I was shifted to backbencher girls who were of my kind. Though they were good in studies, they used to enjoy my pranks. Eventually I was shifted again to the front bench with guys.

After a month or 2 I used to make an alibi to go to the toilet ( now we use the word washroom), and didn't return for long time. This was infact a boon for many teachers because without me in the class it used to be serious stuff and all studies. But Gore madam no matter how many times she punished me used to miss my presence and felt it was important for me to be in the class. She explained that to me. Though I took it lightly I started staying back in her classes. I was probably the only student who managed to bunk classes in school because teachers were happy in my absence. That doesn't mean I bunked all classes though.

It was time for the class trip and it was planned at Matheran. I was least interested to go because I thought I wouldn't be able to live up with all the discipline. She tried to convince me a lot to join but I kept denying. She finally called my mom to school and explained to her why I should come since its the last school trip for our class. She promised me that she wont be hard on me. She kept her promise. Matheran trip was my first overnight school trip and the only one. I enjoyed it a lot. I still remember her telling us a normal romantic story at night which sounded like 'porn' to many of us (basically because we didn't know what real porn was) but that was all. She didn't scold me at all. Infact at a time I said I am gonna stay back playing video games at a point. She said I know you are smart enough to return to hotel but its night so I shouldn't take the risk. Yet I did and so did some of my friends, it was hell lot of adventure to return back to our hotel in the dark. That was also the time she understood my passion for Michael Jackson and music and never made fun of it. When I performed in gathering(known as annual day now) , I used to wear shades and eat a chewing gum. While other teachers passed foul comments about me when I was passing by, she took me on side and nicely said "Its looking like a cow chewing stuff, doesn't look good on stage. I don't think Michael Jackson does that". That was the end, I didn't eat gum in my next performance.

After the trip the school timing decreased to allow us to study more at home or attend test-series as they called it. I don't think I attended school much in the latter half.

Gore madam stayed in the area I stayed... Sahakarnagar.... thats till date. I started to see her during morning walks. Initially I tried to avoid her because there is that stupid teenage anger for no reason against some teachers. Ofcourse we had been bad to each other but we were good too. As years passed by it simmered down. Infact she got her thumb cut in a mixer once.. at that time my teenage hatred had made the evil me feel happy about that. Ofcourse I knew it was a mistake to feel like that very soon. My guilt conscience has been quite strong since childhood, so I cannot be intentionally bad or mean to anyone.

I used to greet Gore madam with a smile during her morning walks many time. Once I happened to talk to her when she explained to me that her scolding was a part of her duty and my naughtyness was totally entertaining and normal. She said that it added to the excitement in a dull mundane class but then she was not supposed to provoke it. She said she knew I am a nice person and knew that my pranks always were harmless, I was just trying to be adventurous.

After this ice broke, I used to talk to her often. My sister was a topper in school but madam failed to recognize her one day. When my sister mentioned that she is my sister, madam immediately recollected. My sister got irritated about that fact. When I told this to madam she said, "Toppers come and go and so do Mawalis. You were one of the kind. Your discussion was one of the top entertaining and debating issues in staff room. The reason being your naughtyness, underperformance in studies but at the same time high IQ and good person. No teacher in school can forget you. That suddenly made me feel better about school overall, something that I had avoided all the time because I felt teachers only hated me.

I remember after my son was born he used to wake up crying and keep crying at wee hours as all children do. He must have been 1 at that time and it was 5 in the morning. For 1 hour I was driving him around since he used to be quite only in car, I met madam at 5.45 and told her what I was doing. She was so happy to see my son, she said he is my replica. When I told her about his tantrums she said, "He is your son and this is the start. Wait till he gets naughty like you, you will understand what you have made your parents and teachers go through". She then laughed it off and said everything will be fine.

Madam's walks decreased with her leg problem and probably heart trouble too. I met her once to tell her that I wished to invite the teachers that I felt respect for for dinner, but said now I have started drinking and all so we have to plan a dinner without booze as a respect to teachers. She said, "Don't be silly. This doesn't suit you and shouldnt suit anyone. You are grownups and free to do anything that you want. Keep a dinner with booze, even teachers who drink will drink, I dont drink though." That was the last time I talked with her for long time.

I didn't see Gore madam for a lot of time but I had planned the dinner in this January and was already discussing it with my friends. Some work and my health issues delayed the plan, but now its way to late to have a dinner for teachers with her presence. Another lesson she left for me that I can't take time for granted, as the old saying goes ... Kal kare so aaj kar!

Kal ho na ho!

2 comments:

Aaru Garg said...

Amazing Post...
Thanks for sharing your personal real experience.
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TheFinalMiracle said...

Thanks