This is a must visit place for me whenever I visit home.
Adarsh Vidyalaya is more than my high school to me. This is the place where my leadership qualities were cultivated. This is the place where all my teachers worked so hard for us to to our best in our lives. This is the place where I learnt how important teachers are for this society and started thinking about becoming one.
There are not enough words to express my gratitude towards my school. If I had to put it in simplest words – “Whatever leadership qualities I possess, that’s all because of my school – Adarsh Vidyalaya Patansaongi” & I am proud of this fact.
This visit was special and emotional as I was biding my adieu to this place for some unforeseeable future. I know I might come across like exaggerating my feelings, but, that’s how I felt.
The trip started off by parking my vehicle in the parking space where students park their bicycles. It was a nice feeling to have returned to the same educational institution years after graduating, and funny that the bicycle was replaced by a moped. Even though I was the same Milind, the dynamics had changed and that one smooth parking moment gave me that sweet realization.
Before heading directly to the staff room to meet my wonderful teachers, I decided to visit the school ground as I saw a few students trying and practicing the game of Kabaddi. It gave me goosebumps just to see them practice as I used to (well, not that much, but still) just a few years ago. I saw myself in them and instead of disturbing them with their practice, just stood there and acted as a distant spectator of their craft.
Here’s what I was looking at.
After standing there for a few minutes and appreciating the weather like it was, I started moving to the actual school building and that’s when I was greeted with a group of students who were quick to notice that I was clicking some pictures and immediately posed to be in one, I also couldn’t resist and clicked their photos anyway.
Look at them enjoying their lives and doing what kids do best – carefree and enjoying their life.
That’s when I looked at the not-so-new kind-of dilapidated school building. When I was still studying, this was a brand new building and I remember being craved to attend lectures in this building; But, after many years, the time has had a greater impact on this building and its beauty didn’t last that long. Having said that, I am sure students who were lucky to have sat in that building used it during its prime and hopeful that they learnt some important life lessons while doing so.
This is the building that I am talking about.
Now was the time to head to the principal’s room and the staff room to meet the wonderful teachers and staff members. I had a great chat with everyone, catching up on so many things with so many teachers. We talked about our lives – current and future; there was a sense of pride while talking to my teachers and I was glad that they were proud of me, and everything that I could accomplish so far. Though I met more than 10-15 teachers and staff members, I could capture a selfie with only a couple teachers.
Below, you can see Lakhe Sir and Awate Sir, my middle school teachers. (please ignore my messy hair)
Though I could most of my teachers in the staff room, there were some who had gone out for classes and I had to go to individual classes to see them and bid my goodbyes. Obviously, I was made to stand in front of the classroom full of students and help the current students deliver some kind of inspiring speech. I, for one, who loves giving speeches and stand in front of the crowd and teaching, didn’t hold back and spoke from the heart. Some teachers loved it, some didn’t as they thought I would ask the current students to study more and do well academically. I did say that but more than that I emphasized upon importance of doing what you like and listen to your heart. Having gone through the rigor of long study hours and countless pages read, I realized it is very important to do what you love and shouldn’t force yourselves.
That’s when I clicked the picture of my 10th grade classroom from the distant. Looking back after these many years, I chuckled with a realization that the trees were painted/striped with the RAINBOW flag. It might had a different meaning back then, which had changed over the time and now represents the colors for LGBTQ+.
After reminiscing all these memories, it was a coincidence that it was time for morning prayer and I didn’t want to miss it, so, I stood there in the distant just like a normal/regular student and soaked it all in. I managed to capture a picture, though!
After the prayers, as it was time for classes and other stuff, I thought of heading home and bid my last goodbye to this wonderful place. On my way out of the school, I came across my 7th grade classroom, which is really special to me to this day.
Dhande sir was our class teacher during the 7th grade and it was this class which unleashed my potential. It was during the 7th grade, I knew, what my next steps would be after the 10th grade. I realized that English was utmost important thing to learn to progress, so I worked really hard on my English. I made sure Mathematics and Science was paid enough attention too, resulting in mugging History, Social Science, and Geography, which I thought were important in the short term but not in a long term as I wanted to develop my career in Computers. He made sure we were given enough individual attention so that we make progress in both personal and professional lives and I thank him for that.
There were a few students when I was passing through the classroom and hence are part of the picture below.
My desk is not visible in the picture, but I used to sit on the first bench in the left row right by the window. We made so many memories and learnt many life lessons in this classroom.
Reflecting back after many years, you feel humble and realize how important these small and trivial things help you develop as a person and set you up for a success.
After this emotionally enriching experience, it was time to head home, but before that I was again pleasantly surprised by some of the students and our physical education teacher, Chavan sir. He checked in about myself and my three sisters who were also in the same school, and was happy to know that we were doing good in our lives.
I requested him to pose for a quick picture and all students gathered around him. This picture captures perfectly what my school stands for and I am forever indebted to it. I will see you soon!
See ya!
stochasticity 