Singapore to Vallanadu :)

The month of School memories continues…..

The title may sound weird because you might be thinking what would be the connection between Singapore and Vallanadu. 

Singapore as you all knows it is one of the finest nations in the world and an absolute destination of tour. 

Vallanadu, for those who don’t know let me give a brief note about that. It’s a river bank in the out skirts of Tirunelveli. 

This episode goes back to XI grade ! It is a travel between Singapore and Vallanadu. Our school is very famous for taking trips to different destination every year for all our students. The usual spot always used to be Trekking. They also took us to Trivandrum and Kanyakumari once. Since we were in XI grade, we spoke to our Principal madam for a different destinations not the normal ones. Really what made her think she came up with a surprise plan, it was to Singapore. We were like laughing inside but as she explained the trip we all were like mentally excited. As an initiative within few days, a Trip advisor came and gave us a budget of Rs.15,000 – 20,000 I vaguely remember as Student Educational Trip. Few of us including me were game for it. The next day, even the passport agents queued up in Principal’s room. I remember my friends Marium and someone else, spontaneously applied for the same too. I didn’t apply because I had a pinch of doubt that this trip might not work out. The drama of hopes and building of castle went on for a week. 

But, as we all expected it didn’t work out. Our management heads for some reason weren’t in a mood to approve. But our princi madam, didn’t gave up. She and Sunil teamed up and spoke to our School photographer and planned a trip to Kerala & Veegaland. The drama continued again for a week. I was ready for any trip whatever it was planned. But as the drama ended a week’s time, the photographer told its raining heavily in Kerala so will not be the right time to go. We were like completely in a mood to give up. 

But somehow after a week’s time, again teamed up with Sunil and requested Princi madam for a Trekking to a different location. But our class girls were against it and the trip got cancelled. 

We were like completely shattered. 

It was over a week, I entered school that day around 8.30 a.m. Still remember Sunil and Syed were running towards me to the Bike stand. Sunil had a very broad smile in his face. I was thinking that something big trip has been confirmed. But the real comedy was awaiting. Syed came and told we are going to Vallanadu for a one day excursion. Sunil asked me to run to my home back again and come with Instruments of Entertainment and loads to eat. With no choice we were happy with the trip. I rushed home, packed up a trousers and a towel. Quickly grabbed my Walkman and few cassettes along with a Tweeter ( A Small speaker kind of thing). Syed and Abi I guess made sure that bus was loaded with Snacks. 

The bus started at around 9.15 and travelled a very long distance of 5-6 kms which took 900 seconds to reach the destination. You all must be calculating 900 seconds I know, lemme tell its just 15 minutes. 

We had no clue what we are going to do by going there. Our Principal madam and our Favorite Botany Abinayam Sundaram accompanied us. After reaching there, principal madam told common guys go to East direction about 500 meters away and swim there, myself and all girls will have fun over here. We guys, were like had no choice and made sure to make it memorable. We followed the instruction, and went 500m far. After reaching there, we all were seeing each other face like who is going to take the lead to enter the water with their Underwear. Our charismatic leader Sunil took the lead. We all followed our leader. As I always been mentioning 2 usual guys who are always apart continued to sit on the river banks. We all entered one by one. Still remember it was Noorul who kept a watch on the girl from far not to see them but to make sure they doesn’t see his 6 packs. Till end he was hiding behind a bush and enjoyed the entire stay in water. One beauty of our trip, we enjoyed every bit as if we were on a real Singapore beach but not in Thamirabharani. 

After a couple of hours of enjoyment in water, we all changed our dress and went to Bus. We all had our lunch together. Music and snacks were going with some games. We tried our best to drag the day but we returned to school around Lunch time. To our surprise we had even classed after the trip till 4. 

At the end of day, we all sat and discussing the entire moment as if we went on a real Singapore trip. We might not have discussed that much even if we would have gone to Singapore on real terms, but for local Vallanadu we had a great round table conference.

Thus this is how the journey which began in Singapore landed in Vallandu. I became a laughing stock at home, my dad still say that your school trip was one of the best trips. Started in Singapore and ended in Vallanadu, because such was the hype I was giving each time a new trip was planned every week. 

Still I would say, it was one of the best trips to remember and cherish. We were a gang of just 8 guys who always enjoyed each other’s company always and made sure we enjoyed each and every bit of moment and make it memorable. To all your surprise make us reunite even now we will still make a memorable one, such is our friendship. 

p.s.: After we passed out, our Princi madam made sure she made all the trips which we planned with her happened on real terms. Our Juniors were taken to Singapore & Malaysia. Also had trips to Kerala & Veegaland. When we went to school during our College days she gave the credits to us for making the initiative for all the trips which happened. We still had a smile that atleast we were a part of planning process of the trip even though we weren’t in the execution part. So my dear juniors who ever enjoyed the above mentioned destinations thank us, because without us those wouldn’t had been possible. 

This picture was taken way back in 2005 after passing out of School, when we visited our School and met our Principal madam. 

Time Management !!!

Howdy folks,

Today’s post title may sound little theoretical but the post is completely full of excitement and fun. A different genre considering it’s impact to our present lives. Another perfect #ThrowBackThursday post to me.

It’s again about my school life and it dates back to XII grade. Not sure how but we guys were very conscious in time management when it comes to sports alone.

XII std as you all know in all schools the students are tormented and made to think only about Books, Exams and Special classes. We were no different. #NoHoliday was always in our agenda. But we guys made sure our Sporting activity doesn’t go in vain.

We used to get couple of sessions of free time which we had to utilize to the core. First, our Lunch break and second between 4.00 p.m. to 4.15 p.m.

Coming to the lunch break, we guys always used to have lunch in a gang being a strength of 10 guys & grab our lunch very fast as possible. Energy boosters used to Abilash’s lunch because it used to come hot and most often with Non-Veg in it. Seriously folks, we never hesitated to fight for it and grab our share not occasionally but almost daily. (I think I would write a special post on that some other time). After lunch used to be around 20 minutes window of free time. We always make sure we come down for lunch with our Exam pads. You guys must have guessed those who have used it effectively if not, let me reveal. It was “Pad Cricket”. We used to carry a small Plastic ball always and used to play Cricket. Rules were simple, One pitch catch out, each player one over, scores only through boundaries and Direct six also used to be Out. Those who have played those legendary games I am sure it will definitely bring smiles on all your faces. We used to play so fast like everyone (Around 8 of us when comes to game 2 were exceptional don't want to mention them now he he he) used to get their chances and even get a winner daily.

Second most time conscious activity which we used to do was everyday between 4.00 p.m. to 4.15 p.m. You all must be thinking what we used to do. Its not cricket again, but this time its volleyball. Everyday we had special classes between 4.15 p.m to 5.15 p.m. So before that we used to have 15 minutes window of free time. In this time period, we used to go to rest room and quickly assemble at the ground. There used to be a pre-planned team which we plan well before 4.00 p.m. So no time wastage, Straight away we enter into the arena, and start playing. In that window, we make sure we play to the fullest. My teammates mostly used to be Sunil, Abilash & Vishal. Opposite always used to be Syed, Navenee, Noorul etc. Still remember one incident when Syed broke his brand new Frameless specs. But man, his attitude nobody can come near him. Had I been in his place would have cried, but he casually kept it in his pocket and continued playing. Of course he escaped from studying that evening special class he he he. Coming back, we also make sure we had our best shots and shoots because often bunch of our Junior girls used to see us play. What else more you need to show your skills and shoots. Credits to all our Junior guys, who daily give space for our game without asking. They always keep the ball ready for us and allow us to play during that time. Such was the culture of our wonderful school.

These two session of play we atleast I would consider it now was a perfect Time Management class because, it taught us to maximize our efforts and give our best within a restricted time. Many of us are now time conscious and work efficiently I feel also because of those untaught chapters from books.

I am sure this post will bring memories of those two sessions to my School buddies of XII grade.

Buddies, this post would have never come without you all. It completely belongs to you all.

Forever buddies.


p.s. Morning saw this pic and shared this post, which prompted me to share this post.

The Haircut :P

Howdy folks,

Hope you all enjoyed the previous post – MEDALS !

In continuation to my previous post and being a Throw Back Thursday, lemme share one more interesting episode of my / our School life. This post I dedicate to my buddy Gopi who rekindled the memory of this episode.

Our beloved principal was always known to maintain our school as one of the most disciplined schools during our period of schooling. We students were groomed too in that manner be it our Uniform, Cleanliness, Way we eat our lunch with napkins, Speaking in English, Prayer Songs, Assembly aaaaaaaannddddd HAIRCUT !

This episode again dates back to around 9th grade ! As mentioned earlier, our Principal madam was very keen that we should be always groomed and neat. But it wouldn’t be nice if there are no law breakers.

In one such month, she was very particular on all our hairstyles alone. She kept on telling all our guys that we should have Clean & Short hairs and no Long & Stylish hairstyles. This rule was applicable for all grades. She patiently kept on persisting almost for two weeks. To the best of my knowledge many obeyed, but few of my friends weren’t really in a mood to agree.

Finally, the drama was set to happen. All our guys, including me were asked to come out and go to the Shed which was near to our School ground. We thought some sports activity selection and went happily. Few said it was District Level Football or Volleyball selection. Imagine how crazy we were on sports.

But when we arrived things weren’t rosy. A barber was eagerly waiting for us with Sharp Scissors and Comb. We were like Chalo, its gonna be another fun filled day. Our PT teacher made us stand in line and made sure we all had very short haircuts, I mean it really short like Actors in Bala Movie lol. We didn't forgot to have fun even during that time, started playing some small games and kept on teasing each other after their Hair Chopping was over.

One by one we all had nice Summer cum Military cut. My friends who were really targeted were Pushpa and Gopi. Really Poor fellows. Pushpa had a scare on his forehead bcos' of some surgery so to hide that he used to had long hairs in the front which used to cover his forehead. (Now he doesn't bother to cover it, reason - Company Secret). Next was Gopi who always had long funky type hair covering his forehead. For both, the hairs were chopped off.

We always used to tease Pushpa as Kutchi (which means Spine like hair) and that day he really became like that and Gopi too was not far behind. The Porcupine Brothers. The only guy I guess who didn’t looked differently was me, because I had curly hair so that didn’t affect much. Also my friend Ramesh & Navanee too didn’t had much difference because had a short hair cut the previous day. My Senior, Srinivas too was targeted for the same, who had similar long stylish hairstyle in the front.

Drama concluded at Principal’s room when all guys were given Green signal to go to class if their haircuts was satisfactory to her, else were again asked to re-cut. Greatest of all comedy was when we guys were asked to pay Rs.15 odd to the barber for the haircut. No ways were we all in a mood to give. We all unanimously said we don’t have money and finally the school paid it. Finally almost half a day class cut....yupieeeeee :)

The next day, all the parents who didn’t like their wards hairstyle came and staged a big drama, but our Principal stood bold and never cared. My mom wasn’t aware of such incident itself. Because I didn’t look different.

Of course, Pushpa and Gopi continued to grow and kept their Long hair after that and made sure their foreheads were covered. Most of us too came to their regular styles.

It may or may not be too humorous or funny to some, but on real terms it was quite a Nightmare at the beginning atleast for my buddies Gopi & Pushpa and later turned out to be a one of the most memorable incidents for all of our life.

Guess I should dedicate this to all of my School batch mates, because this incident would flash in their memories after reading this and bring a COLGATE SMILE on their faces.

The hero in the pic is Gopi during our school days, see how he has covered his forehead !! This must be around 6th or 7th grade so imagine how it would be in 9th Grade !!!

All schools teach bookish education, but our School always stood out, bcos’ it also taught us valuable lessons of life and gave us such wonderful memories which are unforgettable and which never fade away. As I always say and will also say, it also gave some wonderful friends for life time. 

#ThrowBackThursday !!!