Narrow Nooks of STS!!

As the Easter break approach, projects at work are taking on toll, and eating all my blog time (whatever I try  to create juggling between work, family and my gubben).  I had a lot more planned for "N". Some elaborate descriptions of “nightingales” of STS. Alas, I may not do justice, if I try to pen them down now (Trust me I am sitting in a waiting hall of my local dispensary. Nothing serious, but something it is). 

Going through some new and old pictures, my seniors and teachers have shared with me, I came across this. The narrow nook of STS.  

The infamously famous steps, and my lovely super duper seniors posing!! :) 

Thanks for the pictures Rita di

The steep flight of stairs are right next to the vice principal’s office, overseeing the beautifully manicured quadrangle. If you have been to some “bhoolbhulaiya” (labyrinth), you could somehow relate to what the staircase is.

The beautiful quadrangle 

When you step in the “cave”, you don’t see the last step. And when you see the last step it’s a dead-end.  What!! Ok, the door is at the right. Had it not been a school building, the drama could continue more, as it leads to a dark corridor. But then starts the water cooler, and the staff room, and the classrooms.

The steps are old, dingy and dark. Somehow no one trips. Its scary, almost haunted, home for bats, but it’s the most loved narrow nook of STS. 

Love STS!! 

Showcasing a Mother by choice and by heart - Juztamom - Sfurti Sinha. A proud mum of two lovely angels, Sfurti is not only a prolific writer, she is a noble soul, and a free spirit. Visit the yummy mummy to know more. 

Photographs courtesy: Seniors, super seniors, super duper seniors, loving juniors, and the school website: www.stthomasgirlsschool.com

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the fourteenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter N: N for Narrow Nooks of STS.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

The School Motto

Life is a long journey. A learning journey. That is if you consider it so. Learning at home, at work, in the park, at the pool, in the kitchen, at V's school. 

The catch is -"never satiate your hunger, to learn".

As you move on in life, you imbibe what you learn, what you see, what you hear, what you read. My school motto is one such phrase, which forms a phrase of my life. 

"Light to lighten" 

Essence: 

Enlighten yourself, your body, your soul. Let the knowledge carve you into a human, a better person, a loved being. And when you are shining, enlighten others - with wisdom, with love, with truth, with power.  

(This could well fit in the "L" post. But the meaningful "Motto", school motto, couldn't be emphasized upon. for this post is about the guiding light which STS has been in my life, be it my alma mater's motto. Moreover, the "L for library", couldn't fit in M anyways. :) )

Every year, as all other schools, and as your school, we fare thee well the year 12 students. There is a presentation and cultural program by juniors, and like in many schools, Ms STS contest is held as well. Fun it is. But the "real" farewell ceremony at STS, is known as "Candle Light Ceremony". I talk about it here, because it is closely related to the school motto. Infact this is the evening when Thomasites finally understand the meaning of the school motto. 

This ceremony is held an evening before the cultural farewell. The solemn ceremony is attended by Class 11 and class 12 students, along with the parents. A chief guest is invited for the ceremony. 

The evening marks the official and emotional handover of the "school and its pride" from the outgoing batch to the class 11 students. Not one being you will find who doesn't have tears rolling down their cheeks. The day, year 12 feels the real meaning of "Light, to lighten". The evening when Year 11 drinks the fact. They are the torch bearers, and have to live upto it. 

The outgoing Prime Minister hands over the School flag to the next Prime Minister. Since years bygone, the school flag is accepted in the same manner - the outgoing PM leans forward and hands over the flag, and the new PM bends down on her knee, and holds on to the flag, with silent promise of keeping the outgoing batch's alma mater shining bright as ever. Post this, each of the Year 12 student hands over a lit candle, to the Year 11 student. No one remembers how that happens, no one has seen it, the tears have never allowed it to be seen clearly. The school song (I talk about it in a later post) can be heard in the background, soft and heart wrenching. 

As I was in the cabinet, I have attended 4 farewell ceremonies. And I distinctly recall each one of them. Yes, the heaviest was my own. I recall looking at the school one last time, with swelled eyes. It wasn't clear. At all. It all seemed like a dream. And yet, it was real. 

Deeksha Kaushal, Prime Minister, 1996, a year senior to me, held me tight, and cried, uttering, "I will miss this red and green building, the life, the love, the shine". I remember her so clear. And the next year, it was my turn to say the same, to my loving juniors. The new flag bearers. 

So, I take forward the love, the light, and the shine - and thus make "Light to Lighten" my life's motto. 

Salute to thee, STS. 

From this day, I start showcasing my fellow bloggers, who are taking part in the challenge. Visit them, trust me, it will be worth it. 

Usha Menon ji blogs at and as eccentricgrandmum. Her blog, her passion, her life is a true inspiration for all. Life and learning go hand in hand. Visit her to know more. 

Photographs courtesy: Seniors, super seniors, super duper seniors, loving juniors, and the school website: www.stthomasgirlsschool.com

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the thirteenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter M: M for school motto.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

Love for the STS Library, and the Lala Saga

Just like chocolates give me a high (not all brands, mind it), books give me orgasm. From the buying process till turning the last page, its like an ecstatic ride. This could be a thankful gift from STS, and their exhaustive library. 

my love for books :)

 If you have read my posts, you must be aware that we had two school buildings - one in Karol Bagh and one on Mandir Marg in Gole Market (New Delhi). Both the schools have their own standalone libraries. STS libraries are known to have a vast array of books. Especially knowledge books. Series of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Mythological series, leather bound/ hard bound classic series, abundant science (physics, chemistry, biology) books - name the author and its available, mathematics books dating to 1950s, reference books, probably from first print, first edition till the latest editions. 

The huge expanse of the library - where one could hide the whole day, not attend any lecture, and drown yourself in the books. Well I have done that, (sorry ma'am, I know many of my teachers are reading this). The dusty shelves towards the back, which had older editions of reference books, and some not so famous fictions - yellow pages, some torn and then cello-taped carefully by Ritu (I will talk about her a bit later). 

The staircase leading to the library - in my times

I just missed talking about the junior school library. The library was on the first floor, just above the principal's room. We had one library card, and we could issue one book for a week. I read my Enid Blyton series lending them from the library. And I love them, like you. I used to preserve the library book, and it's home was a special pocket in my rug sack. My friends named it as the library pocket. I was somehow proud of the fact. The junior school library was done in yellow, in my days. I think it also had some blue tables. It felt so grown up, to search the library shelves, and pick out our books, get them issued. Aah, bliss was the library day, every Wednesday that was. 

The red brick building is the library, and the steps.. the mural of out school motto on the wall

Coming back to the senior school library, I haven't spoken about fictions. Ofcourse I read quite a bit of it. I was, and am still, inclined towards classics. And what better way to read them - hard bound or leather bound Elliot and Brönte, De Maurier and "Barbara Miller". I shouldn't forget to mention - Erich Segal, Danielle Steel, Sydney Sheldon, Jeffrey Archer and the likes. 

The three fold steps going down from the second floor library to the assembly courtyard used to serve as the reading place (the library had an extensive seating arrangement, but reading Danielle Steel and likes wasn't allowed in the premises). I recall spending many such lunch breaks and free periods sitting on the steps. My friends used to come over and hand me a breadpakora or a samosa, so that I don't feel hungry in the next physics and chemistry classes. I adore them for their love. 

Ritu, as I mentioned before, is the assistant librarian in our senior school. She is a specially able lady (was a young girl when I was a student). I doubt the lovely library could have a better keeper. The arrangement of books, registers, issue status, maintaining the discipline of the school. Oh, Ritu!! The library would run haywire when she used to be on leave, which was rare. Her smiling face used to greet us, always. I had a special bond with her. I loved to help her, talk to her, listen to her tales all about books. She used to read a lot as well. She had her own library cards. Ritu, in her salwar kameez and nicely ironed dupatta, miss you, and will visit you soon. 

A lot many library takes could be reproduced here. Let some be in my memories, like treasures. 

modern lala ka pitara - some of my super seniors trying to figure it out. 

Picture courtesy: seniors

No "L" can end without the mention of Lala. A true businessman, old, in his Gandhi topi, and white kurta pyjama, and with his small wooden box with glass top, used to sell aam papad, ram laddu, aloo ke chips, and some real desi sweet meats. No bif brands, no adverts, just lala ke ram laddu, lala ke chips, lala ka ye, lala ka woh. 50paise for a chip packet, 50 paise for peanut packet, 75 paise for aam papad (STSers, please confirm). The tangy taste of the aam papad churan lingers on my tongue, till date. My then principal, Mrs Manoharan, who happens to be our school alumni as well, paid a special tribute to Lala, on his prayer meeting (we lost him when I was in 11th standard). A special assembly was arranged, and his family members attended the same. Now his son runs the same small wooden box business, but probably lacks the acumen lala had. I have relished quite a bot of the stuff, sometimes by paying, and sometimes just by showing the cabinet badge. He was way too generous for the cabinet, for some unknown reasons. I do not know his real name, till date. 

Much love to the dear soul. 

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the tenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter L: L for Love for the STS library, and the lala saga.. 

Linking this post to UBC too. 

Simple pleasures with a friend for life

I was lying on my back, on the big swing, staring at the blue sky, the white clouds drifting slowly across. My 5 year old was lying beside me. :) His curious question came up next. "Mom, why do we have a big blue hole in the sky?" "Vihaan, that part of the sky is clear, the clouds haven't yet covered it with their blanket..". "Oh, OK mom, I thought its a monster's burrow". 

Before relaxing on the swing, we had done some football passing practise, skipped rope, played stapo, went round and round on a merry go round, and jumped the trampoline. Well, we needed a break. 

Later we went to the supermarket. Standing in front of the chocolate shelf, we decided. "No mum, we have to be strong, so no chocolates. You already had some ketchup in the afternoon today, which is bad for your health." 

Last week, there was a leaking water tank at the Söder Hospital, next to Vihaan's school. The water was gushing down in a stream down the road. Thus began some fun, which converted into experimentation mode. How does the water flow stop when we put our foot on the drain. And similar stuff. 15 minutes well spent, irrespective of the passerby's staring at us. After all it was raining as well, at 5pm in the evening. Time to go home lady. 

As Vihaan just pushed me into fixing the dry clothes from the laundry, and putting them back in the almirahs - a job pending since a week, a sudden calmness engulfed me. Enjoying these simple pleasures, I have a made friend for life. Vihaan my son. Love you darling. 

Linking this post to Ultimate Blog Challenge (UBC) April 2014. 

K, Kh, G, Gh - Kakehra

I wish I could write this post in Hindi. But there are readers who may not clearly understand the post, therefore, I am penning it in English. 

Every weekend, my son prepares the national song of India - "Saare Jahan se achha, Hindustan hamara..". A group of kids are practicing for the upcoming Indian Festival in Stockholm, here in Sweden. This is V's first stint at Hindi. Knock on the wood, he is doing pretty well, especially with his pronunciations. Comes from his mom. Ahem ahem!! 

My school, St Thomas', had a very good faculty. Staff is extremely learned. The most important point is that they all love teaching. If you love your job, you are best at it, isn't it? 

But here I want to bring out the Hindi classes, and the hindi teachers. Some awesome memories, knowledge which I am proud and thankful of. Lest Hindi gets lost in the deep dark ocean. One on my uncle is running a Non Government Organization to popularize Hindi in India. He holds conferences and workshops. What a pity. 

My stint with the hindi varnamala (alphabets) started with Mrs. Saxena, in grade 1. She was a very sensitive teacher , knew how to inculcate children's interest in the language. It was not a easy task, but she did it with such ease. Then was Mrs Das. Who doesn't love her. Her distinctive Bindi, her stern ways of teaching, yes soft heart, full of love for her children. Miss her a lot. 

A recent picture of Mrs Das, with some of my super seniors, STS alumni

When I moved to senior school, I was excited. I had some of the best teachers, and I am sure all STSers will agree to this. Mrs Vinod was my hindi teacher. Years 8, 9 and 10, have a lot of focus on Hindi syllabus. Those were the days I enjoyed the subject. I have a natural instinct towards peotry, and Mrs Vinod used to explain the deeper meaning of the verses with deep intellect. 

I remember doing Prasang sahit vyakhya of so many poems. My favorites include SumitraNanda Pant, Harivanshya Rai Bachhan and Mahadevi Verma. But the poem which is engraved in my heart, and now more so with my mommy status goes as below: 

यह कदंब का पेड़ (Yeh Kadamb Ka Ped) - 

सुभद्रा कुमारी चौहान (Subhadra Kumari Chauhan)

यह कदंब का पेड़ अगर माँ होता यमुना तीरे

मैं भी उस पर बैठ कन्हैया बनता धीरे-धीरे

ले देतीं यदि मुझे बांसुरी तुम दो पैसे वाली

किसी तरह नीची हो जाती यह कदंब की डाली

तुम्हें नहीं कुछ कहता पर मैं चुपके-चुपके आता

उस नीची डाली से अम्मा ऊँचे पर चढ़ जाता

वहीं बैठ फिर बड़े मजे से मैं बांसुरी बजाता

अम्मा-अम्मा कह वंशी के स्वर में तुम्हे बुलाता

बहुत बुलाने पर भी माँ जब नहीं उतर कर आता

माँ, तब माँ का हृदय तुम्हारा बहुत विकल हो जाता

तुम आँचल फैला कर अम्मां वहीं पेड़ के नीचे

ईश्वर से कुछ विनती करतीं बैठी आँखें मीचे

तुम्हें ध्यान में लगी देख मैं धीरे-धीरे आता

और तुम्हारे फैले आँचल के नीचे छिप जाता

तुम घबरा कर आँख खोलतीं, पर माँ खुश हो जाती

जब अपने मुन्ना राजा को गोदी में ही पातीं

इसी तरह कुछ खेला करते हम-तुम धीरे-धीरे

यह कदंब का पेड़ अगर माँ होता यमुना तीरे

Source: 

www.ramprasadbismil.blogspot.com 

(I follow this blog and read some of the best and famous Hindi Poetry, recommended)

I am indebted to my school, for the knowledge of my mother tongue, for the love I have for the language, for the feeling of belonging when I speak it, for the feeling of proud when I rad literature, for the ability to teach my son, who is almost a swede now, bits of the language and inculcate his interest in Hindi.

For the K, Kh, G, Gh, I am proud of Hindi, I am proud of Kakaehra, I am proud of STS. 

This post is dedicated to the A-to-Z blogging challenge - the largest Blog Challenge in the history of Blogkind. My selected theme is "memories of St. Thomas' "- my Alma mater. This is the tenth post of the challenge, and is linked to the letter K - K, Kh, G, Gh: Kakehra: hindi alphabets, The Lord has come.. 

Linking this post to UBC too.