These are associated with our memories, so we have kept with care - they take us back in time to those unforgettable moments in the childhood. I promised 
I am sure, most of the people of our time had some great childhood - we definitely had very minimal need, because those days were mostly study and outside activities. I was very good at academics so I always stood first in all the classes in all the school - yes, I went to six different schools by the time I completed my 10th board. My father was having a transferable job in a nationalized bank, so every time, he moved to a new place, we went to the available school there. Most of them were remote places. Though we had electricity, power was not available always, so we were given these lanterns in class five, to read in the evening. Since I was quickly finishing my tasks, to restrict me to some activities , my parents sent me to a tuition. I still remember his name - Rabindra Sir - who built my fundamentals - he actually dedicated extra time for me to teach things outside of syllabus because I was ahead. It was for him, I stood first in the state scholarship. In the evening, we used to carry these lanterns to the tuition. Once it was shaken for fun on my way, while it was burning. Then the magic started - continuous weird sound and the flame behaving like a flashlight - a new learning for me馃榾. In the tuition, Sir used to give break for 5 - 10 minutes and if there was a power cut, then I would see, if everyone has gone out. I will shake their lanterns and that was good enough to close the day - because the only way to stop it is to stop it burning. It did not happen everyday, but I could manage to do it whenever I got opportunity, and after some time, I got caught - Sir was watching me from behind. The next day, he told to my father and you can guess, what happened.
There are few more stories that I always remember - an essay on a prostitute. In those rural areas, I had friends, who were very matured, and even more aged. I was not matured enough and one fine day, a friend called me and asked me, if I can help him to write an essay. I said yes, and he told me the word prostitute ( in our native language). I never heard that so I told, I don't know what that is. He told, think like its a lady. Those of you have written an essay must be knowing that an essay used to have some format - I just put that word into that format and wrote on one of my copy. He also prompted me few things and I wrote them. Then I teared that paper and gave it to him. In the evening, when my father came, Mom gave him that paper - he put into my box when I was playing out ( yes, we used to carry those aluminum box to school). I was beaten so badly that I fell in fever for 2-3 days. When I became normal, I asked why I was beaten - I was told I should not befriend with bad guys. Something I never understood those times. My mom never beat me. There is a reason for that - when I was a child of 2 years, a person came to our house with parrot and cards. After playing the card by parrot, he told my mom that, I am actually her father-in-law borne as his son. So she should never beat me, because I will always protect her. She always tells this to date. After this incidence, she realized my innocence and stopped telling my father about my stupidity. Because I was never wrong in heart or never had any bad intention. It was my innocence for which I was paying the price.
Unfortunately I paid the price again in class seven. In our school an activity was being done by our class teacher to measure the height, weight, and chest. After the teacher completed the activity, he left the class. The class teacher was male and he measured the chest of all the boys. In the recession a friend came to me and told go and ask Sandhya to measure her chest - she has the biggest chest. I remember the name even - Sandhya had big boobs - little did I realize then. Sandhya went and reported to the teacher and the teacher directly told my father. And another memory....I could not go to school for 2-3 days as I had multiple bruise - all I heard as justification was that the teacher told I have done something which is very bad. When I went back to school, the very first thing I did is that, I went to the teacher and asked him what was my sin for which I was punished so badly. He did not explain but he definitely felt my innocence. In the evening he came to our house and talked to my father and took permission to take me to his home - few km from there. There was some small fair going on in his village so he told me we can enjoy there for few days. He was riding a cycle and took me with him - Now I feel, he must have understood my innocence and taken me to ease my feelings.
My father decided to put me in a hostel in standard 8 for this reason - to study in a better place where I would not learn bad things. It was at a very remote place but was very popular in the entire state for it's result. Every year, 2-3 students used to secure state rankings between 1 - 10 from that school. My parents thought, it would help me for my studies and at the same time, it will control my stupidity. We were never given any money during that time, every month, my father would send the money by a bus driver and he would give the money to a teacher there. Sattu (dry roasting grains or grams) or puffed rice were the only snacks that was sent from home. Life was no less than hell there. One has to get up at 4'0 clock in the morning and wrap the bed ( 20 people in one room, sleeping on floor) and read for half an hour. Then go to the river bank and come back fresh ( yes, there was no toilet) - do exercise and running - get ready to join in the class room by 6.30 finishing breakfast on your own. The teacher would do the tuition for free - it was like extra guidance. 9'o clock, get up and line up the plates in the long verandah and go for bathe to the river. By the time you come back, a team of few students would have served all the plates and left to finish their work.
One day when I came back little early, I saw few outside dogs eating from those plates - as the person who was supposed to guard was not there - in fact no one was. I felt so bad that I did not take my lunch for 3-4 days and managed with snacks. But then we had no choice - I made sure, I kept my plates in the middle from then onward. At least, that way, it has lesser chance.
Bhupen Sir - He was the headmaster of the school. Like I told in my post yesterday, teachers of our time were very dedicated - they did not any expectation for earning - their pleasure was in their student's achievement. He is the one, who would come at 4'0 clock in the morning with a stick - whoever is not ready by then, would be punished harshly. I was one of his favorite being the best student of the entire class but that did not earn me any extra comfort. I think, the discipline I learned from that school is reflected till date - I thank him even now. I went home after 4 months and my Mom was crying the entire day when she saw me. I was not looking healthy and she was not willing to leave me again. But after couple of days, she had to agree to my father - they cannot do anything in the middle. But she promised, she will get me back very soon.
My father got transferred just when I was about to complete that academic session. And the happiest woman on this planet was my Mom to hear this. We shifted using trucks then to start a new life at a new place - the school was just in front of my house where I started standard 9. A lot happened there, but I would keep that for another post. I laugh at myself when Sandhya comes to my mind. Why was I so innocent !!! Like these kids whom I captured when I recently visited my son's music teacher's home for a grand feast at home.
Being a parent now, I realize, we should not punish our kids without going to the root cause, if someone complains. We need to protect them instead, when they are innocent and someone is trying to impersonate them. Because, they should not pay the price for being innocent like I did.
May be one day, my kids will read this when they are grown up and learn from this post - Only one other friend and my wife knew this story of my life - but now its on the chain forever......
