Friends emailed me group photograph of our teachers going back early fifties. Teachers include Vyas, Pandit, Jones, Ms Fernandez, Trivedi, Vidyanathan, Phadkar, Dayabhai and Chandubhai Patel and many more. This was indeed unique journey down memory lane. It would be impossible for present generation school-children to understand our relations with teachers. They were like fathers, elder brothers and sisters. I distinctly remember my father giving me school fees on first day of every month, to hand over to class teacher.
There was no social security. We had to pay for every privilege, medical care, schooling. If pupil was late in paying fees, teacher would cover until we can reimburse. Physical punishment was rare but not prohibited. If we complain to our parents, we get told off. No wonder people of our generation have cachet, sitting on podium. Most are professional people, Lords, Lawyers, Professors, Surgeons and Charted Accountants, although most are retired, many have passed away. So international Dar gathering on 8th August will be our last opportunity to meet old friends coming from as far afield as US, Canada, Australia, India and Dar, friends we have not seen for 60 years.
I hope it will be roaring success, bitter sweet gathering, remembering departed and knowing that we may never meet again, last hooray, lustre, time to say Alvidea until we meet again in heaven!
Bhupendra M. Gandhi
By email
