Proud moments

Youth looks at the world with enthusiasm and every day, each moment is new and alive for the young. Walking the path of life with a partner or a full boisterous gang or going it alone – does it matter when you are young? But, you cross the mid life mark; there lurk all of life’s irritations, problems to attack you! Post retirement period for some people is not necessarily a peaceful time. Financial worries nag some of them and yet another group may be faced with creaky and worn out limbs and joints. But the grand daddy of all these problems is loneliness and the feeling of being left out.

I am glad to be associated with colleagues who are sensitive to this issue and what more- have the drive and initiative to give a form and shape to their thoughts!

So, here we are – a bunch of DAV teachers (mostly out of service due to retirement) who have come together to form our association, to share our thoughts and feelings and to be there for our old colleagues in times of need. It gives me immense joy to see that some of our students want to lend a helping hand.  As one of the colleagues pointed out, our association may be the first of its kind in this part of the country.

Why do I say so? When our neighbor came to know of this, he appreciated it and he immediately brought out a Mumbai- based magazine-‘Harmony-the magazine for silver citizens’. Its January, 2011 issue carried an article, ‘Guru Dakshina’. It is surprisingly about a similar action (of caring for the senior teachers) but from the other end-students.

The alumni of kolkata’s South Point joined hands to establish a ‘not-for-profit-association called ASPEXS (Association of South Point Ex-students) in 1995.

“We learnt how to walk holding their hands, now let us give them ours”, says a practising charted accountant and a student of 1981 batch.

True to the reputation of the school, many former students are successful in life at present as doctors, lawyers or teachers. Despite their demanding lives, they feel they should pay their debts to ‘those who made them see magic in mathematics, lyrics in literature and heroic characters in history’

CARE wing- a branch of the ASPEXS has also come into existence ‘to provide emotional support and companionship to teachers in the age group of 60-85; to make them feel part of a large and extended family’

Some of the ex students have observed that ‘prolonged interactions have resulted in strong bonds of trust and dependence’. It was so moving when I read that the teachers, like parents, eagerly await the visit of their students turned children.

I feel (I think that applies to all my fellow teachers) that the most joyful and exquisite moment in our lives is when one of our students/children remember and seek us out after a long time. In a way, we are blessed to be amidst young people and to be constantly sharpening our wits and it keeps us alert and young mentally.

An external trigger pushed me into the profession, no doubt, but I’ve found my calling in the constant interaction with the young minds. I cannot visualize myself in any other professional garb. Thank you, my children, particularly boys (?!!) for giving me a fresh lease of life! 

(The link for the magazine is: mag@harmonyindia.org)