A teacher one of a kind

RS Mehta 

ABOUT 50 years ago, I was admitted to Kendriya Vidyalaya in Class VII in Ahmednagar. Despite being the first position holder in my village school in Haryana, I failed in the pre-admission test. The Principal, however, gave me a chance to study there, perhaps in consideration of my father, who was an Army man. 

I remember my first day in school. I took a seat on the last bench and tried to be invisible. Mrs Bano was interacting with children as it was the beginning of the session. They appeared to be talking in English which I could neither understand nor speak. After sometime, Mrs Bano riveted her attention on me. What she said was beyond me, but her expression turned furious when her volley of questions failed to elicit any response. I kept standing with my head bowed.

Exasperated, she shouted: ‘Kahan se aay ho?’ Finding myself on familiar territory, I beamed: ‘Haryana se.’ She shot back: ‘Hindi ke siwai kya jante ho?’ I answered with pride: ‘Bari A, B, C, aur chhoti a, b, c.’ The class broke into a derisive laughter. Mrs Bano, however, was not amused. She issued some instructions and in no time three-four books were placed on my desk. ‘Yeh sirf English subject ki kitaben hai. Tum saat saal bhi pass nahin ho sakte. Gaon wapis chale jao,’ she said firmly. 

Another round of jeering followed. Humiliated and crestfallen, I stood like a joker. Tears welled up in my eyes. Perhaps moved by my plight, she told me to meet her daily during recess. She began to encourage and guide me to learn basic English, giving me 10-15 new words every day. Slowly, my phobia of English receded. Within three-four months, I picked up enough vocabulary to get along and follow textbooks. As my ignited interest turned into a passion, I got exemption from sports period and focused on English. The language barrier gradually diminished and my confidence soared. I devoted myself to my studies even at the cost of sleep — Mrs Bano’s warning of ‘seven years’ kept me awake. 

I surprised her by standing first in the class. Her eyes were moist as she handed me my report card, among thunderous claps. After a year, we had to move to Babina following my father’s posting. I went to seek her blessings. She advised to me to continue to study with diligence and listen to English news.

Her word was my command. I was hooked to English — reading books and listening to English news became my life-long passion. I have since retired as a Group A officer, but my affair with English, initiated by Mrs Bano, continues unabated. 

Thank you, ma’am, for everything. You were a teacher and a guide in word and deed. I am eternally indebted to you.